Blue Shield CA Agrees To 60-Day Rate Hold On Individual Plans

Blue Shield of California (and Blue Shield Life & Health) announced this afternoon that the company will abide by the request of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and hold the March 1, 2011 rate increase for 60 days so that the rates can be reviewed.Late last week Blue Shield stated that they were satisfied with the rate increase and would not honor the request of the CA Insurance Commissioner.

October 1 Rate Increases on Individual Health

October 1 will see major rate increases by both Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California.Blue Shield will average 18.2% increase but some age groups may experience rate increases as high as 50%! Anthem Blue Cross will average 14% with a max rate of 20% increase.Interesting article from today's Sacramento Bee.In addition, Anthem Blue Cross has currently blacked out all individual and

Blue Shield CA To Hold Current Rates For July 2010

Blue Shield of California announced today that the company would make no rate or benefit changes to individual & family health plans in California at this time.Blue Shield's "product cycle" normally allows adjustments of rates and plan benefit changes two times per year, in January and July. Communication to agents indicates that everything will remain as current in terms of price and benefits

Anthem CA Rate Increase Withdrawn

According to KGO Radio, Anthem Blue Cross CA has withdrawn the proposed 39% rate hike for California. Apparently they will be re-working the numbers for a more moderate change at some point in the future. Members will be given 30 days notice before any rate changes would go into effect.KGO Article

Part Deux: Is The California Individual & Family Health Insurance Market In Critical Condition?

Having recently watched the "bi-partisan" meeting in Washington and many videos on youtube, I wonder if the problem is "un"-fixable.Speaker Pelosi, in a recent youtube video answering questions on the meeting, pointed out two things which are absolutely of concern. 1, our health insurance system is employer-based in design and function. 2, there are many more people not covered under the

Anthem: The Tale of the Tape in California

I was curious about the impact of the now-delayed Anthem Blue Cross rate increase on premium levels. I could only think of one way to find out, so I ran quotes on myself in Gilroy for four comparative coverage plans from the four California health carriers. Kaiser and Blue Shield are not-for-profit, so they should win, right? The results may surprise you! The rates below include the Anthem

Anthem Agrees To Delay Rate Increase in California

On Saturday (2/13) Anthem agreed to hold off on the March 1 rate increases until May 1 at the soonest. This will give time for independent actuaries and auditors to determine if the increase in rates is appropriate.Anthem to delay insurance rate hike amid criticism

Anthem Answers Sebelius

Anthem President and CEO of Consumer Business, Brian Sassi, addressed his response to Ms. Sebelius regarding her inquiry concerning Anthem rate increases in California.Click here to read Mr. Sassi's letter