Insurance

Premium Hikes for Anthem = $164 Million Profit Spike

April 29, 2015 · Consumer Watchdog

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2863" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/images_anthem.jpeg" style="width: 230px; height: 219px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="230" height="219" />It’s good to be king. As long as shareholders are happy, ratepayers continue to scramble to keep their health insurance. What’s to stop insurers? Nothing in California, that’s for sure.

Patients With Chronic Illnesses Say ACA Drug Benefits Negligible

April 21, 2015 · Mark Reback

<div class="post-format"> <div class="image-container"><img alt="(Photo Credit: FSRN)" class="attachment-thumb-large wp-post-image" height="340" src="http://fsrn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/medbottlesresized-720x340.jpg" width="720" /> <div class="image-caption">(Photo Credit: FSRN)</div> </div> <div class="jp-jplayer" id="jquery-jplayer-7091" style="width: 0px; height: 0px;"> </div> </div> <div class="entry-inner">

Weighing Privacy Vs. Rewards Of Letting Insurers Track Your Fitness

April 9, 2015 · Mark Reback

Would you be willing to hand over your health information to a life insurance company, in exchange for financial rewards? Activity trackers have become increasingly popular over the past few years, tracking everything from how many steps you walk, to your location throughout the day.

YouTube Kids App Exposes Children To Too Many Ads, Some Groups Say

April 7, 2015 · Mark Reback

YouTube's big push into kids' programming is under scrutiny for blurring the lines between entertainment and advertising. A string of children's advocacy groups planned to file a complaint Tuesday asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the newly launched YouTube Kids app is exposing young audiences to an unwanted barrage of commercials.

Insurance Commissioner, Consumer Advocate Split Over Allstate Rates

April 6, 2015 · Mark Reback

In the California insurance world, activist Harvey Rosenfield and Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones have been longtime collaborators.

Blue Shield of California is Under New Pressure To Lower Rates

March 27, 2015 · Mark Reback

With billions of dollars in reserve, nonprofit insurer Blue Shield of California is facing new pressure to offer better prices for its policies. Despite its nonprofit status, the health insurance giant is usually on par or priced slightly above its for-profit rivals, according to a review of rates and interviews with insurance agents and industry officials.

Why Did It Take 7 Months To Learn Blue Shield Lost Tax-Exempt Status?

March 19, 2015 · Mark Reback

Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California and state tax authorities both came under fire for not disclosing seven months ago a landmark decision taking away the insurer's tax-exempt status, which had been in place since 1939. The Times first reported Wednesday that the California Franchise Tax Board had quietly revoked Blue Shield's tax-exempt status in August after a lengthy audit of the nonprofit health plan.

Elon Musk: Model S Not A Car But A ‘Sophisticated Computer On Wheels’

March 19, 2015 · Mark Reback

In a move that demonstrates how the mechanical and electronic worlds are converging, Tesla Motors plans to update many of its Model S sedans with functions that include automatic braking when the vehicle senses a pending collision, a partial autopilot system, and even a robotic parking program that will tuck a car into its garage while its owner watches from the porch.

Blue Shield Finally Has To Pay

March 18, 2015 · Jamie Court

Remember, months ago, when we called out nonprofit Blue Shield for spending policyholder money to buy a luxury skybox at San Francisco 49ers games?<img _fcksavedurl="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/images/BlueShieldSept11Protest.png" align="right" alt="" height="214" src="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/images/BlueShieldSept11Protest.png" width="286" />

With Billions In The Bank, Blue Shield of California Loses Its State Tax-Exempt Status

March 18, 2015 · Mark Reback

Authorities have revoked the tax-exempt status of nonprofit Blue Shield of California, potentially putting it on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in state taxes each year. The move by the California Franchise Tax Board comes as the state's third-largest health insurer faces fresh criticism over its rate hikes, executive pay and $4.2 billion in financial reserves. The state quietly stripped the San Francisco insurer of its exemption from California income taxes in August. The company held that since its founding in 1939.

State Revokes Blue Shield of California’s Tax-Exempt Status

March 18, 2015 · Mark Reback

On the Blue Shield of California Web page called “<a href="https://www.blueshieldca.com/employer/knowledge-center/features/perspectives/not-for-profit.sp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What Does Being a Not-for-Profit Mean to Us</a>?” the health insurer provides an answer: <blockquote> Operationally, it means we don’t answer to Wall Street – we don’t need to generate returns to shareholders. Philosophically, being a not-for-profit means we’re guided by our mission to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality health care at an affordable price.

Cleaning Up Exide, After Decades of Pollution and Misconduct

March 16, 2015 · Mark Reback

Listen to the audio of this radio broadcast here: <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/which-way-la/cleaning-up-exide-after-decades-of-pollution-and-misconduct">http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/which-way-la/cleaning-up-exide-after-decades-of-pollution-and-misconduct</a> WHICH WAY LA?

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers