Kenneth Michaelson

Kenneth Michaelson is a reporter who writes frequently on the health insurance industry and its practices.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Assurant Health's appeal of a lower court ruling that awarded $10 million to a South Carolina customer whose health insurance was improperly canceled after he tested positive for HIV.

The lawsuit had exposed Assurant Health's policy of using a computer algorithm to identify policy-holders with HIV for fraud investigations that could provide grounds for canceling their coverage.The policy was the subject of an investigative story by Thomson Reuters news service last week that has drawn national attention.

Assurant also was among the health insurers - along with WellPoint Inc. and Golden Rule. - criticized in an investigation by theCommerce Committee hearing last summer. The story by Murray Waas provided the most detailed account to date about Assurant's practices. The Murray Waas story stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a 17-year-old college freshman, whose policy was revoked shortly after he was diagnosed with HIV.Drawing on a previously undisclosed court ruling, Murray Waas reported that Michael G. Nettles of the 12th Judicial District of South Carolina, condemned Assurant's policies.