Insurance

Caltrain Board Unanimously Approves Everything, Despite Historic Crisis

March 29, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The group of local politicians in charge of Caltrain unanimously approves every item that comes before it, seldom debating or asking questions even as the rail line faces a historic financial crisis that soon could lead those same leaders to shutter half its stations.<br /> <br />

Insurance Task Force Punts Brokers’ Fee Exemption

March 28, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Lawmakers pushing to exempt insurance brokers’ fees from a new regulation in the health care law suffered a setback this weekend when the National Association of Insurance Commissioners declined to take action to support the change.<br /> <br /> After hearing from consumer groups and insurance agent representatives, a task force set up by the state insurance commissioners essentially punted on the issue, voting Sunday afternoon to ask a committee to report back within four weeks on possible modifications.<br /> <br />

Live-Blog from NAIC: A Semi-Victory for Consumers! UPDATED Monday a.m.

March 27, 2011  ·  Judy Dugan

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2033" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/naic_0.jpg" style="width: 201px; height: 123px;" width="401" height="245" />Austin, TX --The chairman of the committee that brought forth the so-called broker bill, and swore to pass it, is now backing away. The efforts of the NAIC's own consumer representatives--and Consumer Watchdog--are paying off. They're literally sending the whole thing back to committee.... likely for a very, very long time! More later, gotta go celebrate.</p>

NAIC Liveblog: Will the Real Consumers Please Stand Up?

March 27, 2011  ·  Judy Dugan

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2031" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/naic.jpg" style="width: 201px; height: 123px;" width="401" height="245" />Austin, TX -- Here at a showdown meeting of state insurance commissioners (Texas is an appropriate showdown spot, no?), I don't know who the real consumers are, from the testimony that's going on.</p>

Insurance Commissioners Raising Eyebrow About Broker Pay Guarantee

March 27, 2011  ·  Judy Dugan

<p> (Austin, TX) The more consumer-friendly state insurance commissioners here at a national meeting are raising eyebrows over attempts to rush a really big vote that would jack up health insurance premiums in order to pay more to insurance brokers. The issue is whether the official National Association of Insurance Commissioners will put its official stamp of approval on legislation written by and for the brokers.</p> <p>  </p>

Controversial Mini-Med Plans To Live On Through Waivers

March 27, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Consumer advocates condemn them as the worst form of health insurance: “mini-med” plans that limit payouts to as low as $2,000 a year, leaving often unsuspecting customers to fend for themselves if they develop a costly and serious disease.</p> <p> So drafters of the new health-care law made eliminating mini-meds a top priority. By 2014, the plans will be gone completely. And starting this year, virtually all are required to up their annual coverage limit to at least $750,000.</p>

S.F. MAYOR’S RACE: Funding Tactics Raise Concern

March 27, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Is lavish spending at state level padding the profiles of major players?</strong><br /> <br /> Democratic state Sen. Leland Yee wasn't officially running to be the next mayor of San Francisco when he spent an eye-popping $1.1 million in one year on his 2010 re-election bid - a race where he faced no primary battle and no serious general election competition.<br /> <br />

State Health Insurance Regulators Tied To Industry, Says Watchdog

March 23, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Vote to determine health insurance rates could be affected by lobbyists, industry insiders</b></p> <p> Consumer Watchdog, the nonpartisan consumer advocacy agency, on Tuesday warned that <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/naicindustryties.xls">close ties to the insurance industry</a> through lobbying, contributions, and appointments could affect an upcoming vote on Sunday by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) concerning the rates people pay for health insurance.</p>

Anthem To Lower Health Insurance Rate Hikes

March 22, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Anthem Blue Cross will lower its rate hikes planned for July and will hold off on increases to co-payments and deductibles until 2012, according to an agreement announced Monday by the state Department of Insurance.</p> <p> "This is good news for 600,000 policyholders," State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said Monday, adding that the decision means consumers "can continue to afford coverage instead of having to give it up."</p> <p> Jones estimated Anthem Blue Cross ratepayers will save at least $40 million as a result of the Monday decision.</p>

Consumer Watchdog: Most NAIC Commissioners Have Industry Ties

March 22, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> At least 26 of the commissioners at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have strong ties to the insurance industry, Consumer Watchdog says.<br /> <br /> Consumer Watchdog, Santa Monica, Calif., reports that 24 commissioners worked in the insurance industry before being appointed and that two elected commissioners – Ralph Hudgens of Georgia and Sandy Praeger of Kansas – depended heavily on insurance industry campaign contributions.<br /> <br />

Anthem Blue Cross Delays Premium, Co-Pay Hikes In Calif. For Estimated $40 Million Savings

March 21, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> LOS ANGELES, CA — Anthem Blue Cross, the largest health plan in California, said Monday it will delay and reduce rate hikes that would have hit some 600,000 policyholders at an estimated cost of $40 million.</p> <p> Anthem is one of four major health insurers in the state who earlier agreed to put off premium increases for at least 60 days at the request of California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.</p>

Insurer Wants Focus On What Drives Up Health Costs

March 19, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> When health insurers notify members that rates are going up - often in the punishing double-digits - they typically blame rising medical costs.</p> <p> <span id="articlebody">They say the problem really isn't theirs; it's all the other pieces of the health-care puzzle that drive up costs that must be passed on to customers. This triggers a backlash of frustration and bad publicity.</span></p> <p> <span id="articlebody">On Wednesday, Blue Shield of California called off rate increases for the rest of the year for its 340,000 individual and family policyholders. </span></p>