Insurance

Health Insurance Rate Hikes Face Tougher Scrutiny

May 19, 2011 · Mark Reback

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. 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.

US Government To Require Review Of Big Health Insurance Rate Hikes

May 19, 2011 · Mark Reback

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. 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.

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

May 19, 2011 · Pam Pressley

<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.

Rein In Insurance Companies Fat Rate Hikes

May 16, 2011 · Mark Reback

When it comes to chutzpah, health insurance companies take a back seat to no one. 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. 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. At the same time, most are asking for massive, double-digit, clearly unjustified premium increases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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