Insurance

Intervenor System Has Worked To Save California Insurance Customers $2 Billion Since 2003

May 12, 2011 · Doug Heller

If you're looking for a model plan to save money on health insurance premiums, <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/blog/sen-feinstein-makes-tough-pitch-rate-regulation-and-cws-report">Senator Dianne Feinstein joined Consumer Watchdog yesterday</a> to release a new Consumer Watchdog report, <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/cwrateregulation.pdf">Health Reform and Rate Regulation: Can't Have One Without The Other</a>, showing how insurance company rate regulation is crucial to lowering rates.

Our plan for reducing health insurance rates

May 12, 2011 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2018" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/healthreform_2_0.jpg" style="width: 120px; height: 90px;" width="120" height="90" />Health insurance premiums are increasing at a rate faster than medical inflation, especially in the volatile individual and small group markets, and worker incomes have not kept pace. The passage of the federal reform law triggered further outsized increases by insurance companies apparently seeking to establish high base rates in advance of the law’s implementation.

Feinstein, Kofman Argue for Federal and State Review of Health Rates

May 12, 2011 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www3.ambest.com/ambv/displaycontent/MediaArchive.aspx?RC=186529">Click here to listen to audio interviews with Harvey Rosenfield and Mila Kofman</a>.

Feinstein, Consumer Groups Call for Tighter Health Insurance Regulation

May 12, 2011 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www.kqed.org/a/kqednews/RN201105121304">Click here to listen to the audio of this broadcast</a>. California Senator Dianne Feinstein and consumer advocacy groups are calling for tighter regulation of health insurance premiums. Feinstein is sponsoring a bill that would allow federal regulators to reject or modify rate hikes greater than 10 percent.

Sen. Feinstein Makes Tough Pitch for Rate Regulation and CW’s Report

May 11, 2011 · Judy Dugan

Consumer Groups Push Rate-Review Bill, Await HHS Rules

May 11, 2011 · Mark Reback

Consumer advocates expect federal regulators to finalize regulations this month that will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to review insurance companies’ rates. The healthcare reform law gave HHS new powers to review “unreasonable” rate hikes, though it cannot stop increases from taking effect. Carmen Balber, Washington director for the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said HHS has indicated that it’s planning to release final rules on rate review before the end of the month.

Feinstein wants to regulate health insurance rate hikes

May 11, 2011 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/05/11/feinstein-wants-regulate-health-insurance-rate-hik/">Click here to listen to the audio of this broadcast segment</a>. The health insurance overhaul Congress passed requires insurance companies to spend 85 percent of their budgets on medical care. But the law doesn’t give anyone the authority to call out companies if they steeply raise their rates. A new bill aims to put a Band-Aid over that particular owie.

Nine States Appeal Federal Rule Limiting Health Insurers’ Profits

May 10, 2011 · Mark Reback

WASHINGTON — In a move that could absolve health insurers of paying more than $95 million in consumer rebates, nine states are pressing for relief from a federal rule limiting insurers' profits and administrative costs. State regulators say they fear insurers would flee their markets and leave some individuals without coverage options if the rule isn't eased. But consumer groups say there's little evidence insurers would bail out.

Sen. Feinstein, Rep. Schakowsky, Maine insurance official and CW talk out-of-control health insurance rates

May 6, 2011 · Carmen Balber

Join us! Senator Dianne Feinstein, Representative Jan Schakowsky, and Maine's top insurance regulator will join Consumer Watchdog founder Harvey Rosenfield at a Consumer Watchdog newsmaker briefing on Capitol Hill next Wednesday. Here are the details. How Health Insurance Rate Regulation Can Lower Premiums and Save Health Reform Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 2:00pm - 3:30pm 116 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC

Health Reform and Insurance Regulation: Can’t Have One Without the Other

May 5, 2011 · Jamie Court

Health insurance premiums are increasing at a rate faster than medical inflation, especially in the volatile individual and small group markets, and worker incomes have...

Health Insurers’ Rates Targeted in the Capitol

May 5, 2011 · Mark Reback

The insurance-driven costs that millions of Californians pay to drive their cars, work at their jobs and protect their homes are closely regulated, in part because of generations of decisions by the Legislature and in part because voters demanded it. But despite the attention paid in recent years to health care reform, the price tag to 23 million California consumers of billions of dollars worth of care is only scantly regulated, at least directly. Health insurers’ rates are set by the health insurers themselves reflecting the market and their costs.

Trump’s Real Estate Courses Didn’t Deliver, Lawsuit Says

May 4, 2011 · Mark Reback

SAN FRANCISCO -- Before Donald Trump sold the idea of a possible 2012 presidential bid, the bombastic real estate mogul peddled the American dream at a place called Trump University. He promised consumers the golden opportunity to be "my next apprentice" and learn "insider" secrets of real estate.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

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

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers