Insurance

1.5 Million Californians Face Health Insurance Rate Hikes Today

July 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Health insurance rates for more than 1.5 million Californians covered by some of the state's largest health insurers will go up starting today.<br /> <br /> The rate increases, which were expected, mostly affect policyholders in plans offered through small businesses.<br /> <br /> Depending on the plan and the carrier, hikes will average from 3 percent to more than 17 percent, but some individuals within the plans could see much higher jumps.<br /> <br />

Fight Heats Up In Calif. To Regulate Health Care Premiums

June 29, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- There has been plenty of controversy over rising health care premiums in California. In Sacramento, that debate really heated up on Wednesday over a bill to let regulators control the rates we all pay.</p> <p> The state Senate heard opposing arguments over a bill to control your health insurance rates. Right now, regulators cannot stop insurance companies from raising premiums, they can only give their opinion.</p>

Google Defends Practices As FTC Launches Antitrust Probe

June 24, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google confirmed Friday that the Federal Trade Commission has launched an antitrust investigation of the company, but posted an elaborate defense of its business practices.</p> <p> "Yesterday, we received formal notification from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission that it has begun a review of our business," Google said<a href="http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/"> in a blog post.</a></p>

Consumers Slam New HHS Rules On Appeals

June 23, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Consumer advocates aren't happy with revised regulations on the process for filing appeals when insurers deny claims.<br /> <br /> The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog accused the Health and Human Services Department of bowing to the insurance industry by relaxing some of the standards for review.<br /> <br />

Man robs bank for prison health care

June 22, 2011  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> Here's another condemnation of the broken for-profit health insurance system that only takes care of those who can pay. This story is sweeping the web because every one of us is afraid this could one day be us.</p>

Watchdog Takes A Bite Out Of Insurance Industry

June 22, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2132" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/bluecrosssettlement.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 141px;" width="430" height="243" />SPREADING THE NEWS: Attorney Jerry Flanagan (center) describes a settlement agreement that will allow victims Donna and Randy Freed (left) to get affordable health coverage through Anthem Blue Cross on Tuesday. Consumer Watchdog founder Harvey Rosenfield looks on. photo by Ashley Archibald.<br /> <br />

Blue Cross Settlement: Here’s What You Need to Know

June 22, 2011  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2132" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/bluecrosssettlement.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 141px;" width="430" height="243" />Today Consumer Watchdog <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/anthem-blue-cross-consumers-%E2%80%9Cdeath-spiral%E2%80%9D-will-have-options-change-coverage-benefit-rat">announced a settlement</a> in our class action lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross of California.</p>

Anthem Blue Cross Agrees To Settlement Of Class-Action Lawsuit

June 22, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> About 122,000 Californians covered by Anthem Blue Cross would get protection from dramatic rises in health insurance premiums or have a chance to join new plans despite pre-existing health conditions, according to a settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed last year in Ventura County Superior Court.</p> <p> Announced Tuesday, the settlement still must win final court approval. It would affect people in individual health insurance policies that were closed more than a year ago to new members, meaning costs were spread across a fixed or shrinking pool.</p>

Anthem Blue Cross Settles Lawsuit, Agrees To Limit Rate Hikes

June 21, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Under the settlement, 122,000 policyholders of California's largest for-profit health insurer whose plans were closed to new customers will see rate increases no more than the average for all closed plans. Affected policyholders can also choose new plans without further medical scrutiny.</b></p> <p> Settling a class-action lawsuit, California health insurer Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to limit rate increases for 122,000 policyholders whose plans have been closed to new customers.</p>

Anthem Settles Suit Involving 120K Policyholders

June 21, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> LOS ANGELES—Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of manipulating policies and forcing California patients into higher deductible policies with fewer benefits.</p> <p> The case was brought by Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog and several law firms in 2010 after the state's largest for-profit insurer closed policies for about 122,000 policyholders in 2009.</p> <p> "It is important to note that this settlement admits no wrongdoing on behalf of Anthem," it said in a statement.</p>

Texas Revs Up Anti-California Campaign

June 21, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The years-long campaign against Californians by the state of Texas, its officials and industries has done anything but abate since the Lone Star State was revealed as having a worse budget crisis than California's, in addition to poverty and school dropout rates that far eclipse ours.<br /> <br />

Anthem Blue Cross Settles Policy Closure Action

June 21, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> New York -- Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to settle a class action in California state court from consumers who accused the insurer of closing certain coverage policies without providing them with legally required options and notices, a group representing policyholders announced Tuesday.<br /> <br />