Insurance

States Face Challenges In Controlling Health Insurance Premiums

August 6, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> For many consumers, the ultimate test for the embattled health-care law is simple: Will it push down insurance premiums — or at least slow their relentless rise?</p> <p> It’s a pressing question for the Obama administration, which is hoping its signature domestic policy achievement doesn’t end up as an election year albatross. Officials have been jawboning carriers to refrain from big rate jumps and, beginning in September, will require insurers to undergo additional scrutiny before raising premiums 10 percent or more.</p>

OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Rate review

August 2, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Advocates for federal rate review made their case again Tuesday as the Senate health committee held a hearing on state rate-review efforts and the support built into the healthcare law. Many states have some authority to at least review insurance companies' proposed rates, and the health law provides funding to enhance those efforts. But it doesn't give the federal government the power to reject proposed increases or require states to give themselves that authority.<br /> <br />

Blue Shield Posts Reviews… Sort Of

July 28, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Enrollee Criticism is Compiled, But Mostly Hidden</strong><br /> <br /> When Blue Shield of California launched a program 18 months ago to allow enrollees to post reviews of their health coverage, the San Francisco-based insurer touted itself as a model of openness.<br /> <br /> “We're proud to be the first health plan in the country to be fully transparent and encourage our members to share their healthcare experiences online in a richer and more visible way," Blue Shield Senior Vice President Rob Geyer said at the time.<br /> <br />

Sen. Landrieu, Americans can’t afford your health insurance price hike

July 26, 2011  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2158" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/images_marylandrieu.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="275" height="183" />Why would Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu endorse an attack on the health reform law that could cost her own constituents millions in lost rebates and health insurance premium hikes?</p>

GEICO Lowers Auto Insurance Premiums After Initially Requesting Hike

July 26, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> California motorists with a Geico auto insurance policy will soon be spending less on monthly premiums.</p> <p> According to Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit advocacy group, policyholders will spend approximately 11 percent less on their auto insurance rates starting in August. The insurer had initially requested a 4 percent hike in rates.</p> <p> However, Consumer Watchdog appealed to the California Department of Insurance, saying increasing the price hike violated Proposition 103, which bans insurers from charging excessive rates.</p>

State Forces Geico To Cut Rates By 10.7%

July 23, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Geico car insurance premiums are dropping 10.7 percent, a move that will save Californians a total of $91 million.</p> <p> The company's rate decrease affects more than 717,000 policyholders across the state starting Aug. 15. Geico is the state's seventh-largest auto insurer. It controls 5.4 percent of the California market and 5.7 percent of Sacramento's.</p> <p> A cut in premiums is justified by "the reduction in claims and the dollar amount of those claims," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. He announced the reduction Friday.</p>

Google: Just another corporation ”

July 22, 2011  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2023" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/googlehq.jpg" style="width: 120px; height: 90px;" width="120" height="90" />Part of Google's appeal has been the way its executives have been able to portray the Internet giant as not a typical corporateering behemoth simply focused on fattening the bottom line.</p> <p> It's mission is to "organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful."  Its often-cited motto is "Don't Be Evil."</p>

Consumer Watchdog Calls on Governor Brown to Replace DMHC Leadership After Regulators Misrepresent Autism Settlement to Legislature

July 20, 2011  ·  Jerry Flanagan

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Critics Blast Autism Settlement

July 20, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong><img class=" size-full wp-image-9286" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/autismsfchronpic.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" width="370" height="246" />Families say it will still be difficult to find treatment</strong></p> <p> Sacramento, CA -- Leading autism and consumer advocacy organizations in California are calling a settlement agreed to last week between the state and Blue Shield of California to expand coverage for autism treatment a "sham" that will not result in more therapy for people with the condition.</p>

Mercury Insurance, Overcharging California Homeowners by $35,000 a Day, Refuses to Lower Its Excessive Rates

July 15, 2011  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2150" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/nomercury.gif" style="width: 200px; height: 138px; float: right;" width="200" height="138" />Mercury Insurance wants to hike its already excessive homeowner’s insurance rates: Mercury’s stalling tactics have already cost its policyholders $25 million, and each day that Mercury is allowed to overcharge its policyholders amounts to $35,000 in excess profits.  <br /> <br />

Blue Shield to Pay for Autism Behavioral Therapy

July 14, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Sacramento -- Parents of children with autism are hopeful they have scored a victory this week after Blue Shield of California has agreed to pay for a form of therapy for the developmental disorder that it previously refused to cover.</p> <p> <span id="articlebody">The announcement that Blue Shield will pay for behavioral therapies for autism treatment - a step that other providers may soon follow - was made Wednesday during a hearing at the Capitol.</span></p>

Anthem Settles Lawsuit Alleging Rate Manipulation

July 13, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Members claimed that the company tried to send unprofitable business into a "death spiral," leaving them with bare-bones policies -- or no coverage.</b></p> <p> WellPoint subsidiary Anthem Blue Cross of California has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company manipulated rates and pressured members to change coverage in a bid to purge unprofitable business.</p>