Insurance

ANALYSIS: Blue Shield Of California’s Refund Is Peanuts Compared To Its Profits

May 31, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> As the head of communications for two of the country’s largest health insurers for almost 20 years, I recognize an orchestrated spin campaign when I see one. And boy oh boy did I see an award-winning one this week in San Francisco.</p>

Watching The Health Insurers

May 31, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Opponents of a bill that would allow state regulators to reject unreasonable increases in health insurance premiums are stepping up their attacks on the measure, contending that it would push premiums even higher and make healthcare less available. These arguments are a smokescreen, and lawmakers shouldn't lose sight of the need to give consumers of health insurance the same protection they have in auto and homeowners' policies.<br /> <br />

Where Do Brokers Fit in New Health Insurance Picture?

May 26, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> California's health insurance regulations -- aligned this year with federal guidelines -- include a requirement that insurers spend at least 80% of their premium revenue on direct patient care. However, efforts to change provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could have an effect on how California insurers balance their books -- and on how consumers pay for health coverage.</p>

Blue Shield CEO Bruce Bodaken Earned $4.6 Million Last Year

May 26, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Blue Shield, California's largest nonprofit health insurer, releases the salary data in response to a new state law intended to keep healthcare insurance costs under control.</b></p>

Vermont Goes for Real Deal in Health Reform: Single Payer

May 24, 2011  ·  Judy Dugan

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2102" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bucolic_vermont.png" style="width: 120px; height: 90px;" width="120" height="90" />Can you hear Blue Cross screaming in the distance? Vermont is about to hit the road toward a real (if modified) <a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2011/May/23/vermont-single-payer.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+khn+%28All+Kaiser+Health+News%29">single-payer health care</a>--Medicare, but for everyone. Cut out the middlemen, save some money, cover more people.</p>

Rate Review Standoff — Final Rule Irks Both Insurers, Consumer Advocates

May 23, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A final federal rule requiring health insurers to reveal and explain double-digit premium rate hikes managed to disappoint both the insurance industry and consumer advocates.<br /> <br /> The regulation HHS released last week under the federal healthcare reform law makes health plans undergo rate reviews this year when they propose rate increases on individual and small group markets of 10% or more. This trigger means states will conduct a review of the rate to see if it's excessive. If states don't have the capacity to conduct these reviews, HHS will do them.<br />

Health Insurers Must Soon Justify 10%-Plus Premium Hikes

May 20, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>The new Obama administration rule taking effect in September doesn't allow state regulators to reject rate increases deemed unreasonable, but it requires insurers to explain the reasons for such hikes to the public.</b></p>

HHS Finalizes Rate Review Regulation for Health Plans

May 20, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Health insurance plans will have to justify double-digit rate increases in a federal or state rate review process beginning Sept. 1, under a final regulation announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.<br /> <br />

Health Insurance Rate Hikes Face Tougher Scrutiny

May 19, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Health insurers seeking rate increases of 10 percent or more will face increased scrutiny starting in September under <a href="http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-12631_PI.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rules finalized Thursday</a> by the Obama Administration. </p> <p> States – or in some cases the federal government – will review the flagged premium increases and insurers will have to justify increases deemed unreasonable. The law does not give the federal government power to reject increases, but many state regulators have that authority.</p>

US Government To Require Review Of Big Health Insurance Rate Hikes

May 19, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The U.S. government issued a rule Thursday requiring state or federal review of substantial health insurance rate increases for individual and small-group plans, prompting criticism from the managed-care industry.<br /> <br /> The Department of Health and Human Services said the rule, arising from the health overhaul law, will moderate premium increases by bringing more transparency to the rate-setting process.<br /> <br />

Did your California insurance broker or agent tell you about the Low Cost Auto Insurance Program?

May 19, 2011  ·  Pam Pressley

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2097" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/lowcost.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 227px;" width="264" height="300" />Do you have minimum limits (15/30/15) on your auto insurance policy?  Did your insurance agent or broker tell you about California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program, which could save you hundreds of dollars on your auto insurance?  Likely Not.  Consumer Watchdog is investigating the failure of agents and brokers to inform customers about California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program and we need your help.</p>

Rein In Insurance Companies Fat Rate Hikes

May 16, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> When it comes to chutzpah, health insurance companies take a back seat to no one.<br /> <br /> To hear them tell it, they're barely hanging on as federal health care reforms begin to take hold. But the facts tell a different story.<br /> <br /> What they're really doing is raking in profits at a record rate. In 2010, the five largest for-profit insurers -- UnitedHealth, WellPoint, Aetna, Cigna and Humana -- saw their profits soar by 16 percent.<br /> <br /> At the same time, most are asking for massive, double-digit, clearly unjustified premium increases.<br />