Insurance

CALIFORNIA REGULATORS NOW LOOKING INTO BLUE CROSS OF CALIFORNIA’S RESERVES

May 25, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">BestWire</p> <p>In April, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer group, asked the state to investigate "double-digit rate increases" on Blue Cross customers. In a letter to state officials, the foundation cited "legally binding commitments" WellPoint made to state regulators</p>

Homeowners insurance: Use it and lose it

May 24, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Last year's hurricane season caused heavy underwriting losses at Allstate Insurance.</h3><p class="source">CNNMoney.com</p> <p>"It has been a very strange development," says Doug Heller, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights. "Consumers are being threatened with non-renewal for filing legitimate claims."</p>

Air Arnold Spotted Over Lake Michigan

May 23, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Air Arnold flew again today, this time above the Chicago skyline following the Gov on his cross country cash grab. The Arnold Watching plane pulled a banner reading "Arnold: Don't Sell...</font>

Dirty Money in the Windy City (view the invite)

May 20, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Monday -- a work day for most Californians -- is a day out of the office for Arnold. Way out. <a href="http://www.arnoldwatch.org/assets/Chicago_fundraiser.gif">Click here to view the...</a> </font>

Regulators to Examine Reserves at Blue Cross;

May 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The amount is about five times the required level, attracting attention in light of recent premium hikes being investigated.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>State regulators, already probing recent rate hikes by Blue Cross of California, on Tuesday also pledged to scrutinize the health insurer's reserve fund, which is five times as big as required by law.</p>

Blue Cross premiums probed;

May 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Anthem merger costs at issue</h3><p class="source">Stockton Record</p> <p>Consumer advocate Jerry Flanagan said Blue Cross broke its promise not to raise rates to pay for the costs associated with the merger, including $265 million in cash bonuses paid to company executives.</p>

Regulators Accelerate Probe of Hikes in Blue Cross Premiums;

May 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Consumer activists tell of boosts as high as 40% after a takeover of the insurer's parent. The company calls the increases reasonable.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer activists, citing anecdotal evidence gathered from policyholders, testified that some Blue Cross customers were being hit with rate increases of 20% to 40% on individual and family coverage.</p>

California regulators step up investigation of Blue Cross hikes

May 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Consumer advocates raised concerns last year about the November merger between Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks, the parent company of Blue Cross, and Anthem Inc. of Indianapolis. They have since pushed for the inquiries about the $21 million deal.</p>

Insurance, credit scores don’t mix

May 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Gabriel Valley Tribune</p> <p>Assemblyman Ron Calderon's bill allowing insurance companies to use consumer credit ratings to determine eligibility for homeowner policies is bad for consumers and could slow a booming housing market.</p>

Million Dollar Baby

May 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">California law limits the campaign contributions a Governor may accept to $22,300 from any single donor. A recent court ruling, however, said that Arnold can blow through those limits as long as...</font>

Consumer Watchdog’s Legal Project Principles

May 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --> <ol> <li>The judicial branch is the only branch of government free of the powerful influence of special interests. Consumer Watchdog strongly supports the historic right of Americans to their day in court, to seek redress of injustice and to receive full compensation for their injuries.</li> <li>Consumer Watchdog Legal Project attorneys seek to bring cases in which the threat to consumers or taxpayers is significant, the impact of the litigation will benefit many people, and the courts or regulatory agencies are an appropriate forum to resolve the dispute.</li>

Blue Cross says overcharges fixed

May 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>More than 46,000 Blue Cross of California members were accidentally overcharged for their monthly premiums in April, but the health care company said Monday that it has refunded most of the miscollected money. The California Department of Managed Health Care is looking into the mistake to prevent it from happening again.</p>