Insurance

Google Profited From Illegal Mortgage Ads

November 17, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The federal government has shut down 85 websites it says were preying on vulnerable homeowners by offering dodgy mortgage deals through ads on Google.</p> <p> The move comes just weeks after Google was<a href="http://%20http//www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-features/58087-google-forfeits-500-million-for-running-illegal-pharmacy-ads" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> forced to pay out</a> $500 million to settle claims that it profited from Adwords ads for illegal Canadian pharmacies.</p>

Watchdog Files Class Action Suit Against Insurance Provider

November 16, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong><span class="subtitle"><font color="black">Anthem poised to raise rates, lower benefits through new contract, lawsuit alleges</font></span></strong></p>

Government Closes Mortgage Scams Tied To Google

November 16, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The federal government has shut down dozens of Internet scam artists who had been paying Google to run ads making bogus promises to help desperate homeowners scrambling to avoid foreclosures.</p> <p> The crackdown announced Wednesday renews questions about the role that Google's massive advertising network plays in enabling online misconduct. It may also increase the pressure on the company to be more vigilant about screening the marketing pitches that appear alongside its Internet search results and other Web content.</p>

Class Accuses Blue Cross of Bait and Switch

November 16, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p>LOS ANGELES, CA -- A Superior Court class action claims that Blue Cross of California uses "bait and switch tactics" to impose midyear hikes on its customers. The three lead plaintiffs all say that Blue Cross jacked up their deductible in February, "just two months into the deductible year."</p> <p>Named plaintiffs Janet Kassouf, Alison Heath and David Jacobson say they bought policies with the expectation that annual deductibles and out-of-pocket costs would be fixed for the calendar year, but saw abrupt changes to the terms and conditions of their plans.</p>

Insurance Commissioners Squirm, Then Bow to Brokers and Insurance Lobbies

November 16, 2011  ·  Judy Dugan

<p>

Consumer Group Sues Anthem Over Higher Insurance Rates

November 15, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> On Monday, the not-for-profit consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog filed a lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross, the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-anthem-lawsuit-20111115,0,7684974.story" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Los Angeles Times</i></a> reports.</p> <p> The lawsuit alleges that the insurer breached contracts with individual policyholders when it increased annual insurance deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs on May 1.</p>

Blue Cross Sued Over ‘Bait And Switch’ Deductible Hikes

November 15, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Law360, New York  -- Anthem Blue Cross was hit with a class action Monday by policyholders accusing the California health insurer of using “bait and switch” strategies to unilaterally change plan contract terms by increasing annual deductibles and premiums in the middle of the deductible year.<br /> <br />

Anthem Blue Cross Sued Over Higher Medical Insurance Deductibles

November 15, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Consumer Watchdog says California's largest for-profit health insurance company used 'bait and switch' tactics to raise deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for some customers May 1.</b></p>

Anthem Blue Cross Sued Again?

November 15, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Anthem Blue Cross used "bait and switch" tactics to raise deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for some customers in the middle of their contract period.</strong></p> <p> <a href="http://www.kabc.com/Article.asp?id=2335061&spid=38628">Click here to listen to audio of broadcast</a>.</p> <p> <strong>Anthem Blue Cross Sued Over Higher Medical Insurance Deductibles</strong></p>

Do Layaway Plans Have Consumer Interest at Heart?

November 14, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Retailers are rolling out layaway plans in preparation for another holiday season adrift in a serious recession, but Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court tells KGO's Scott Lettieri that "Depending on the price and the policy, you could be playing a lot more than if you'd put the purchase on a credit card."</p> <p> <a href="http://www.kgoam810.com/FlashPlayer/default.asp?SPID=0&ID=2334143">Click here to listen to the audio segment</a> of this radio broadcast.</p>

California Consumer Group Pushing Ballot Initiative Requiring Regulatory Approval for Price Hikes

November 14, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>ANALYSIS: Keeping an eye on insurance rates in the Golden State </b></p> <p> If there is one organization that insurers despise and fear more than any other, it surely must be Consumer Watchdog.</p>

Consumer Group: 3 Reasons Why Health Reform Won’t Put Brokers Out of Business

November 14, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A consumer advocate group wants to be part of an insurance-industry discussion on whether to exempt broker and agent compensation from a health reform law that aims to cut wasteful insurer spending.</p> <p> The group, Consumer Watchdog, is rallying members to demand that state insurance commissioners reject a resolution that removes producer compensation from medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation.</p> <p> The MLR rule, enacted under the Affordable Care Act, requires insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of revenue on health care and quality improvement efforts.</p>