Insurance

You Blocked the Health Insurer Power Grab

November 6, 2011 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2215" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_carmenbdrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />You did it! I just confirmed that state insurance regulators <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/blog/state-insurance-regulators-schedule-surprise-sunday-vote-gut-health-reform">postponed the secret vote</a> urged by the insurance industry to gut the health reform rule that could force insurers to rein in waste and excessive profits.ââ‚¬Â¨ââ‚¬Â¨

NAIC Puts Off Vote On MLR Broker Resolution

November 6, 2011 · Mark Reback

A contentious battle over whether to endorse a motion to remove broker and agent fees from the medical loss ratio brought some drama to a relatively low-key meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners this weekend. There were strong indications that Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty planned to force a vote on the measure, which would have urged HHS to use its authority to remove the fees from the MLR rather than waiting for Congress to act.

State Insurance Regulators Schedule Surprise Sunday Vote to Gut Health Reform

November 4, 2011 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2215" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_carmenbdrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />Like the horror movie monster that just won't die, insurance companies and the brokers who sell their products have again pressured state insurance regulators into voting on the industry plan to gut a key consumer protection in the health reform law. The secret vote, that even most insurance commissioners didn't know about until they got to the meeting yesterday, is now scheduled for this Sunday.

Update: Blue Cross Notices of Right to Change Coverage

October 31, 2011 · Jerry Flanagan

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2228" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_jerrydrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />This week more than 100,000 California Blue Cross consumers will receive notice of their right to change coverage under a settlement in the <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/legal/court-approves-blue-cross-death-spiral-settlement">Feller v. Blue Cross class action lawsuit</a>.

Florida Asks for Insurance Rebate Waiver

October 29, 2011 · Mark Reback

Florida is asking the federal government to delay a requirement that health insurers use at least 80 cents of every dollar in premium money to pay for medical treatment, a move that could deny customers more than $170 million in rebates. If federal officials give the state a waiver granting a three-year delay, insurance companies will get to keep the money they otherwise would have to pay in rebates and could spend it on marketing, salaries, commissions to brokers and other administrative costs.

Insurance Exemption Could Cost Consumers

October 29, 2011 · Mark Reback

WASHINGTON, DC - Gov. Scott Walker's administration is seeking an exemption from a new health care law requirement that could mean millions of dollars in rebates to Wisconsin consumers. Under the health care reform law enacted in March 2010, insurers would be required to devote 80 percent of premium dollars to medical treatment instead of profits and administrative costs, including marketing and salaries.

OWS thwarted by WTO?

October 27, 2011 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2215" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_carmenbdrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="133" height="200" />Today, Consumer Watchdog joined the AFL-CIO, Americans for Financial Reform, Citizens Trade Campaign, Public Citizen, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) in releasing a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Michael Punke calling for a review of WTO rules to ensure that countries have sufficient policy space to re-regulate the financial sector.

Two Health Insurers Leave Florida, Citing Health Law Regulations

October 27, 2011 · Mark Reback

Two tiny health insurance companies are exiting Florida's individual market because of Democrats' health law, the state's insurance department announced Thursday in an effort to bolster its request for a waiver. Florida has asked for a waiver from the medical loss ratio requirement that says insurers must spend at least 80 percent of premiums on medical care or give customers rebates. Several consumer advocacy groups argued Thursday that the state doesn't need such a waiver.

State of Indiana Takes on Health Rules

October 23, 2011 · Mark Reback

Seeks exemption for insurance firms

Pepsi Uses Games to Mask Doritos Ads for Teens, Groups Say

October 19, 2011 · Mark Reback

<div class="component" id="story"> <div class="clearfix" id="story_content"> PepsiCo Inc.’s Frito-Lay unit uses online video games and concerts to disguise marketing campaigns for its Doritos chips aimed at teenagers, consumer groups said in a complaint to U.S. regulators.

Greater inequality on Wall Street than in Egypt or Tunisia

October 18, 2011 · Jamie Court

Blue Shield Rebates Coming

October 14, 2011 · Mark Reback

PROFIT CAP MEANS CREDITS FOR CUSTOMERS Customers of Blue Shield of California will see their December premiums reduced substantially -- the result of the insurer's pledge to cap profits at 2 percent of revenue. The giant insurer said Thursday that it would return about $283 million to individual and group customers in credits against their premiums. Customers will receive the credits in their December bills.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers