Insurance

Live Blog: Schwarzenegger Holdovers Still in Charge at Key State “Insurance Exchange”

August 23, 2011 · Judy Dugan

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2206" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_judydrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="133" height="200" />Industry-friendly appointees of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continue to hold undue power at the California Health Benefits Exchange--the key body that is already deciding how Californians will get their health care under full federal reform in 2014.

Big Brother Riding Shotgun In Your Car

August 19, 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" />Who could complain about insurance companies that let consumers choose?

Corporations Mine For Personal Data in Health Reform

August 17, 2011 · Judy Dugan

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2206" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_judydrawingname.gif" style="margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right; width: 133px; height: 200px; " width="133" height="200" />No one who watched the development of the federal health reform law ever doubted that companies would find ways to make money from it. So far it's been mostly <a href="http://www.ahip.org/links/exchange2011/septprogram/">expensive seminars</a> to tell health insurance managers how to comply with the law--and maybe evade it a little. But a new twist showed up today, and it's an "aha!" moment.

Rules Would Require Clear Health Insurance Info

August 17, 2011 · Mark Reback

<kelly a="">WASHINGTON — Proposed regulations released Wednesday would require health insurers to provide clear, concise and consistent cost information about individuals' policies in easy-to-understand language.</kelly>

Auto Insurance Bill Was Clash Of Titans

August 14, 2011 · Mark Reback

<h2> Companies, Trial Lawyers Dominated Insurance Rollback</h2> Last year, a driver in Milwaukee had a seizure, crossed the median and killed Samuel Milons Jr., 38. After Milons’ death, his fiancee, Angela Minerick, couldn’t afford the rent on their Milwaukee townhouse and racked up credit card debt.

Mercury Chairman Backs Another Auto-Insurance Discount Initiative

August 13, 2011 · Mark Reback

Aug. 12 -- Backers of an automobile insurance initiative that was bankrolled by Mercury General Corp., and which voters turned down last year, want to try again. The California attorney general's office this week released a title and summary of the proposed initiative, which was submitted by Mike D'Arelli, executive director of the American Agents Alliance, an insurance trade group. It's the first step in the process of putting a measure on the ballot.

Why Are Car Insurance Rates Falling?

August 10, 2011 · Mark Reback

<img alt="Falling car insurance rates" border="0" height="200" src="http://www.insurance.com/imagesvr_ce/7184/iStock_000005590334XSmall.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" title="Falling car insurance rates" width="301" />That wise-cracking Geico gecko has just been served a heaping slice of humble pie, courtesy of the state of California. Recently, Geico asked the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for permission to raise rates on drivers by 4 percent. But the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog got a whiff of the proposal and barked.

AT&T’s T-Mobile Bid Should Be Rejected, Consumer Watchdog Tells Regulators

August 9, 2011 · Mark Reback

AT&T Inc.'s proposed $39 billion purchase of T-Mobile USA Inc. should be rejected because it will lead to higher prices for consumers, the public-interest group <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/issues">Consumer Watchdog</a> told regulators.

Buzzing The Mercury Open

August 8, 2011 · Jamie Court

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2197" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/donttrustmerc-planeandtruck.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 274px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="365" height="400" />Tennis fans were riled by our drive-by and fly-by mobile advertisements at the finals of the Mercury Insurance Open in Carlsbad yesterday. Our message: “Don’t Trust Mercury Insurance." You can watch a short video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL7GH-hbK20">here</a>, which explains why students are getting involved against Mercury. Here’s some of the reaction:

States Face Challenges In Controlling Health Insurance Premiums

August 6, 2011 · Mark Reback

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? 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.

OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Rate review

August 2, 2011 · Mark Reback

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.

Blue Shield Posts Reviews… Sort Of

July 28, 2011 · Mark Reback

Enrollee Criticism is Compiled, But Mostly Hidden 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. “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.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers