Insurance

Firms Weigh Health Care Costs

April 23, 2012 · Mark Reback

Some attorneys can't afford benefits, enroll with spouse instead. As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to release its decision next month on the constitutionality of the Obama administration's Affordable Health Care for America Act, the state is waging its own battle to rein in rates.

Jessica Blacher – Santa Monica, CA

April 20, 2012 · Mark Reback

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2408" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/images_jessicablacher.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 239px;" width="251" height="300" /> (Updated 2/4/13) I am 55-plus. I’ve never wanted to be 65, but Medicare can’t come soon enough. My Blue Cross premium keeps spiraling upward yet I’m working fewer days and my income is down. I keep having to change policies--higher deductibles, more copays, less coverage--to afford it. Now it’s just backup in case of a catastrophe. And soon I won’t be able to afford any kind of health insurance.

Are Insurance Companies Picking Your Pocket with Installment Fees?

April 19, 2012 · Laura Antonini

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2399" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/images_dollarcrash_0.jpg" style="width: 275px; height: 220px; " width="300" height="240" />Lately, California’s auto insurers have been slipping unjustified service fees onto bills – even when policyholders don’t use the service.

Barbara Lipscomb – Santa Monica, CA

April 16, 2012 · Mark Reback

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2401" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/images_barbaralipscomb.jpg" style="width: 180px; height: 270px;" width="426" height="640" />I’ve been without health insurance for two months now. I’m just crossing my fingers and trying to stay optimistic. The last straw was when Blue Shield raised my PPO this spring from $732 a month to $931, beyond what I can afford.

Initiative To Regulate Health Insurance Hikes Sparks Big Debate

April 14, 2012 · Mark Reback

Initiative would regulate health care To the woman who spends as much as $1,000 in a month on medical care and argues she saves money by not having insurance, the proposal makes sense. Force health insurance companies to gain government approval before they impose rate hikes on individuals or employers.

Insurance Commissioner: State In Position For Its Own Health Care Overhaul

April 13, 2012 · Mark Reback

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said he's optimistic the U.S. Supreme Court won't strike down the federal health reform law. The law will likely survive, he said, because it's based on solid precedent that the court's conservative wing holds dear. "They keep telling us that they don't believe in judicial activism, so I'm going to take them at their word," Jones said on Thursday before a town hall meeting in Marina with Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel.

Aetna Proceeds with Health Insurance Hike for Small Businesses

April 6, 2012 · Mark Reback

Despite criticism from the state insurance commissioner and several statewide consumer groups, Aetna said Thursday it's going ahead with a recent hike in health care premiums for small businesses. Aetna's new increases, which average 8 percent annually and took effect April 1, were deemed "unreasonable" this week by state Department of Insurance Commissioner David Jones. He said it's the first time a California health insurer has proceeded with an increase after it's been labeled as excessive by the department.

Official Slams Aetna Increase

April 6, 2012 · Mark Reback

California insurance commissioner calls the rate hike for small businesses 'excessive.' SACRAMENTO, CA -- Aetna, the state's third-largest health insurance company, is raising rates for thousands of small-business customers to a level that state insurance regulators call "excessive."

California Regulator Criticizes Aetna Rate Increase As ‘Unreasonable’

April 5, 2012 · Mark Reback

A California insurance regulator ruled that an Aetna Inc. health-insurance rate increase was “unreasonable,” in the latest salvo of a long-running debate in the state over the cost of coverage. The announcement by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones focused on a boost that affects small-group plans and became effective April 1. It was the first time the department has officially used a new ability, granted under a state law that took effect at the beginning of 2011, to call out rates as unreasonable.

Consumer Watchdog Video Wins a “Pollie”

April 3, 2012 · John M. Simpson

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2394" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/images_pollieaward_0.jpg" style="width: 109px; height: 160px;" width="109" height="160" />Consumer Watchdog's animated satirical <a href="http://youtu.be/TtLP5fFARaM">video, "Supercharge"</a> has just won a prestigious "Pollie" award from the <a href="http://www.theaapc.org/">American Association of Political Consultants.</a>

Health Insurance Premiums To Rise Soon For Many

March 31, 2012 · Mark Reback

More than a million California small-business owners and individual policyholders face a wave of health insurance premium increases in the coming months that range from single digits to as high as 20 percent. Starting Sunday, about 101,000 Anthem Blue Cross small-group customers will see their premiums go up an average of 13.8 percent but as high as 20.5 percent. At the same time, more than 16,000 small businesses covered by Aetna will receive hikes averaging 3.7 percent. While a few will see decreases, others will get hit with increases of more than 20 percent.

As High Court Takes Up Health Care, Calif. Insurers Raise Rates

March 23, 2012 · Mark Reback

Health insurance premiums for many Californians are set to increase as much as 20 percent in the coming weeks, according to insurance company reports to federal and state agencies.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers