Insurance

Insurance Commissioners Raising Eyebrow About Broker Pay Guarantee

March 27, 2011 · Judy Dugan

(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.

Controversial Mini-Med Plans To Live On Through Waivers

March 27, 2011 · Mark Reback

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. 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.

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

March 27, 2011 · Mark Reback

Is lavish spending at state level padding the profiles of major players? 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.

State Health Insurance Regulators Tied To Industry, Says Watchdog

March 23, 2011 · Mark Reback

Vote to determine health insurance rates could be affected by lobbyists, industry insiders 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.

Anthem To Lower Health Insurance Rate Hikes

March 22, 2011 · Mark Reback

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. "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." Jones estimated Anthem Blue Cross ratepayers will save at least $40 million as a result of the Monday decision.

Consumer Watchdog: Most NAIC Commissioners Have Industry Ties

March 22, 2011 · Mark Reback

At least 26 of the commissioners at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have strong ties to the insurance industry, Consumer Watchdog says. 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.

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

March 21, 2011 · Mark Reback

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. 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.

Insurer Wants Focus On What Drives Up Health Costs

March 19, 2011 · Mark Reback

When health insurers notify members that rates are going up - often in the punishing double-digits - they typically blame rising medical costs. 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. On Wednesday, Blue Shield of California called off rate increases for the rest of the year for its 340,000 individual and family policyholders.

Blue Shield Cancels Pending Hike

March 17, 2011 · Mark Reback

Insurer Was Under Pressure To Moderate Stance Blue Shield of California had the numbers to support its third rate hike on its 194,000 individual policyholders in the past seven months, but apparently overwhelming public disapproval prompted the abrupt cancellation of the last increase this week. The San Francisco-based insurer announced Wednesday it would back off the rate hike scheduled to go into effect on May 1, and would impose no further rate increases on its individual policyholders in 2011.

Google Feels Heat On Shady Ads

March 16, 2011 · John M. Simpson

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2023" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/googlehq.jpg" style="width: 120px; height: 90px;" width="120" height="90" />It took a lawsuit from <a href="http://www.rosettastone.com/">Rosetta Stone</a>, the language software company, and a Congressional hearing, but Google apparently has finally been embarrassed into taking responsibility for policing some shady ads on its search engine site.

Excessive agent fees bloat premiums

March 16, 2011 · Carmen Balber

You Did It!

March 16, 2011 · Jamie Court

<a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fQ%2BPWBthDQ%2Bqraty18ld0XjmhT9V2puV"><img class=" size-full wp-image-2016" alt="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/video/kgotv-rally-blue-shield-headquarters-results-60-day-delay-rate-hikes" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/blueshieldrally-tv.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 129px;" width="325" height="168" /></a>People power works. I just learned that Blue Shield of California is canceling its outrageous rate hikes, which totaled as much as 86% for some patients, after we turned up the heat on the company together!

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

New Bill Requires Insurance Companies to Offer and Renew Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers