Insurance

The Insurance Industry Loves Its Secrets

June 21, 2012  ·  Judy Dugan

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2206" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_judydrawingname.gif" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; width: 133px; height: 200px; " width="133" height="200" />Just when consumers are finally getting a look at how health insurance companies conduct their business, the industry is racing to shut and lock the door. Buried deep in a "model law" for states to update health insurance regulation is a clause that would keep secret the companies' justification for  exorbitant rate increases.</p>

Google Stock Split Wins Approval; CEO Loses Voice

June 21, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

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Hilda Sarkisyan and CW fight for insurance justice in DC

June 15, 2012  ·  Carmen Balber

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Lawsuit Filed Against Blue Shield of California Over Policy Changes

June 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>On Tuesday, advocacy group Consumer Watchdog filed a lawsuit against Blue Shield of California for allegedly violating a 1993 state law by regularly ending policies and then raising rates for members left in the plan, the <i><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/06/13/BAVS1OUGKA.DTL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Francisco Chronicle</a> </i>reports.</p> <p>The lawsuit, which was filed in San Francisco Superior Court, is seeking class certification.</p> <p class="subheading">Details of Allegations</p>

Blue Shield Sued Over ‘Death Spiral’ Allegation

June 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SAN FRANCISCO -- A consumer group has sued Blue Shield, accusing the health insurer of using big rate hikes to force older and sicker people into low-benefit and high-deductible plans, a tactic the group calls a "death spiral."<br /> <br /> Consumer Watchdog announced the suit Wednesday during a news conference in front of Blue Shield's corporate headquarters in San Francisco.<br /> <br /> The group accuses Blue Shield of closing certain policies to new customers, then sharply raising rates for those remaining in the plans.<br /> <br />

Blue Shield Rejects Claims It Gamed Calif. Policyholders

June 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Blue Shield of California on Wednesday vigorously denied allegations in a proposed class action accusing the insurer of illegally shutting down policies in order to nudge sicker patients into plans that are costlier or provide fewer benefits.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Blue Shield

June 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A class action lawsuit was filed today against health insurer Blue Shield that alleges the company is illegally pushing customers with pre-existing conditions into low quality, low benefit, high deductible insurance policies, and even causing some clients to end up uninsured.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Sues Blue Shield for Forcing Those with Preexisting Conditions into Bare Bones Coverage

June 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <a href="http://www.scpr.org/news/2012/06/13/32800/consumer-watchdog-sues-blue-shield-forcing-sparse-/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast</a>.</p>

Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Blue Shield

June 13, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=8700571">Click here to view the video of this broadcast</a>.</p> <p> <span class="storyDateline">SANTA MONICA, CA (KABC) -- </span> A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Blue Shield over the shutdown of health insurance plans. Customers who are dropped can sign up for a different Blue Shield plan, but it's not as good.</p>

California Health Insurers Propose Raising Rates for Small Firms

June 12, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Proposed increases of more than 10% in small-business health insurance rates that are going into effect in July or August have drawn scrutiny from state regulators.</b></p>

Blue Shield Sued Over Policy Switches

June 12, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><span id="articlebody">San Francisco, CA -- When Blue Shield of California raised the rates for Robert Jeffrey Martin's family insurance policy by 23 percent, the health insurer offered him two options: Stay in his expensive old plan or switch to a new policy that offered his family skimpier benefits with a higher deductible.</span></p> <p><span id="articlebody">Martin, 59, knew finding a new insurer would be tough and felt like he had no choice. The Gilroy farmer, who grows olives trees and bottles his own olive oil, switched to the new policy. </span></p>

Consumer Group in Calif. Says Rate Hikes Show Need for Rate Reviews

June 12, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The California insurance commissioners should be able to regulate health insurers’ rate increases, including the up to 24% hike insurers plan for small businesses in July and August, according to a consumer advocacy group.<br /> <br />