Insurance

UnitedHealth to Buy PacifiCare in Push Into Medicare

July 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman for the advocacy group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said it would also ask regulators to limit ''big payouts'' to executives in the merger. After a six-month delay in the California approval process last year, WellPoint agreed to pay $365 million toward low-income residents' health care in an agreement to complete the merger.</p>

Blue Cross fined for $12 million in overcharges

July 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Stockton Record</p> <p>"A $150,000 fine on a company that had a $300 million profit increase is barely a slap on the wrist and won't deter Blue Cross from making the same mistake again," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. It certainly appears as if the Department of Managed Health Care is going easy on Blue Cross when they should be on the patient's side," he said.</p>

Blue Cross billing errors result in fine of $150,000;

July 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Nearly 45,000 charged multiple times</h3><p class="source">Ventura County Star</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights reported that one customer in Stockton had $1,110, five times her monthly premium, taken out of her bank account because of the error.</p>

State fines Blue Cross $150,000;

July 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Error caused multiple charges for premiums</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union Tribune</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, said the fine is a "slap on the wrist" for Blue Cross. He added that the state's slow response was "a dangerous shift in priorities at what is supposed to be the nation's premier HMO watchdog".</p>

Associations’ Policies Under Scrutiny;

July 5, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Millions buy health insurance through trade and other groups. But alliances and claims of misrepresentation raise concerns.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Many associations offer legitimate policies, and legislation in the House of Representatives would expand their reach nationwide. But regulators worry that in some cases there are hidden ties between associations and insurers. Policyholders can also face unforeseen rate increases and policies with hidden clauses that leave consumers with big -- and unexpected -- bills.</p>

HR 4600 Will Harm Patients & Enrich Only Insurers

July 1, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<!-- excerpt --><p>The real answer to skyrocketing insurance premiums, which are striking across all lines of insurance, is to regulate the insurers' pricing and accounting practices so that investment losses cannot be passed onto policyholders. Congress should not blame the victim for a crisis created by insurance companies.</p>

Congress pulls plug on junk-fax rule

June 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Hill</p> <p>On its website, the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights urged consumers to contact lawmakers in opposition to S. 714, which it said would undo crucial protections and create a flood of unwarranted junk faxes.</p>

A Bonus for Allstate Customers

June 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p> <p>"Allstate had cheated its customers with a series of arbitrary and unfair actions," said Douglas Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Terminate Term Limits

June 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">ArnoldWatchers hear that Arnold and Democratic legislative leaders are close to a deal over the extra November election that would add yet another initiative to the ballot; this one to unravel...</font>

Arnold Get Dinero in Havana

June 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold and his contributors will sit down for some cigar-chompin', back-slappin', ol' fashioned political schemin' tonight at the Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills. For between $5k and $25k,...</font>

Cheapest health insurance;

June 23, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Bay Area rates high in affordability for individuals</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Some consumer advocates criticized the survey, arguing that using a healthy 30-year-old for insurance comparison purposes doesn't tell the whole story of access to affordable care.</p>

Drug Company Profiteering & Waste

June 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Prescription drug expenditures have consistently been one of the fastest growing components of health care spending. Over the last decade, prescription drugs costs have increased at double-digit rates each year. Employers offering drug coverage to workers or retirees have been forced to increase co-payments and deductibles. As a result, consumers, whether insured or uninsured, are facing skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs.</p>