California - Anthem Blue Cross delays rate increase

Many of you have heard Anthem's name in the news lately and the negative backlash from policy holders and the State's Insurance Commissioner regarding their March 1, 2010 rate increases.

This week Anthem announced that they would delay implementing rate adjustments after releasing the following statement. Quote:" Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company has agreed to a request by the California Department of Insurance to postpone our March 1, 2010 rates to May 1, 2010, pending an additional third-party review. The review will be conducted by Axene Health Partners, LLC, retained by the California Department of Insurance. While we have already conducted an independent third-party review, we welcome the additional scrutiny by the commissioner and are confident that our rates will continue to reflect anticipated medical costs and are established consistent with actuarial principles and state law. In order to avoid confusion, we are also delaying the implementation of the rate increases for individual medical plans offered by Anthem Blue Cross".

 

QuoteBroker encourages all California health insurance policy owners to shop around no less than once a year to make sure that your present individual health insurance or group health insurance policy still meets your requirements and always compare premiums against the competition.

QuoteBroker.com provides free instant health insurance quotes for individuals, families and businesses. In less than 5 minutes you can shop for the lowest priced health insurance plans in your area, compare plan features and apply for coverage online. All in the comfort of your home without ever seeing an agent. Of course if you need help, you can always call (800) 783-0802 and an insurance specialist will be happy to assist you.

Are You Ready for TeleMedicine?

TeleMedicine is a growing healthcare alternative that allows individuals the ability to speak to or consult with a licensed physician by phone or web camera 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most telemedicine services use medical records and telephone consultations to diagnose and recommend treatment for common conditions that you would normally cause you to miss several hours of work or personal time to make a to go to the doctors office, wait, wait some more and then have a short physician visit and send you home with a prescription to fill.

It is estimated that 70% of all primary care visits can be handled over the phone or through live video conferencing. Telemedicine services are not designed to replace your primary care physician, but serve as a care alternative. Telemedine companies require a small consulting fee of usually $25 to $35 and physicians will normally be able to respond to your initial call in thirty minutes to three hours.

QuoteBroker Insurance and Association Benefit Marketing have teamed together to bring this concept to employer groups and associations. Watch for a formal program announcement shortly.

California Insurance Commissioner Blasts Anthem Blue Cross

CROSS HEALTH INSURANCE RATE HIKES ALARMING

Reminds Californians to Shop Around, Compare Health Insurance Options

 

QuoteBroker received the following press release from the California Department of Insurance today.

The State of California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today issued the following statement regarding Anthem rate increases:

“I’m alarmed by the Anthem Blue Cross health insurance rate hikes, especially in a time when the recession has forced so many people into the individual health insurance market,” said Commissioner Poizner. “State law requires that insurers spend at least 70 cents of every dollar of premium on medical care. I have instructed my department to hire an outside actuary to examine their rates line by line to ensure they are complying with this state law. If we find that their rates are excessive, I will use the full power of my office to bring these rates down. 

Commissioner Poizner also reminded Californians who have to purchase individual health insurance that there are dozens of insurance companies to choose from.

Just like auto and homeowners insurance, consumers can choose from nearly 70 different companies who offer health insurance in the individual health insurance market,” Commissioner Poizner said. “As a consumer you need to shop around.  A different provider may prove to be a better value for a particular individual or family’s needs, and all of them are looking for new customers.  I encourage consumers who are not happy with their rates, co-pays, benefits or service to look at other options.”

To review all major California Health Insurance plans, benefits and premiums, visit QuoteBroker. In less than 4 minutes you can compare all plans and even apply for coverage online.

California Health Insurance 200 Billion Dollar Mistake

February 5, 2008 - California Health Insurance News

Senate Passes Single Payer Bill

The California Senate has passed S.B. 810 which would create a single payer health care system in the state referred to as the “California Healthcare System (CHS).” The bill would eliminate private health insurance in California and require the state to negotiate reimbursement with health care providers. The bill is estimated to cost $200 billion and would be funded by pooling all state and federal money currently spent on health care in the state (pending federal approval) and a payroll tax. Due to the estimated $20 billion state budget deficit, this bill was not considered in 2009. The bill is now under consideration by the state Assembly. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation in 2006 and 2008 and has said he would do the same if the Assembly passes this bill.

Any mandatory health insurance requirements at the expense of new higher employer payroll taxes will likely drive more businesses out of state to more business friendly states and communities. For the time being, shop all California health insurance options. Free instant health insurance quotes.

QuoteBroker Insurance Services Receives Top Industry Award

QUOTEBROKER INSURANCE SERVICES
Qualifies for Golden Eagle Award

   (Arlington, VA) – The Leading Producers Round Table (LPRT) of the National Association of Health Underwriters is proud to announce that insert name of insert company has qualified to receive the association’s prestigious Golden Eagle Award. The Golden Eagle Award is the highest recognition bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated professional excellence in the sale of health and disability income insurance.
   The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 20,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. NAHU is headquartered in Arlington.

Medicare Expansion Plan Dumped

The new Medicare expansion plan would have allowed people 55 and older to buy into Medicare. The bill would have increased health care spending and reportedly contained unrealistic expectations to save money on Medicare.

Senate democrats backed off this Medicare expansion plan as a compromise in exchange for the government operated insurance option in health care reform. Republicans and several Democrats complained that Medicare is a budget busting program that under pays for medical services and this new bill leave the insured with fewer doctors willing to provide service as many had expressed their intention to opt out of the Medicare practice. It's back to the drawing board in 2010.

Meanwhile it's "Open Enrollment" for individuals that wish to participate in any Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medi-Gap policies. For more information or to receive an instant Medicare Supplement quote from America's finest companies, visit QuoteBroker Insurance Services online or call (800) 783-0802

Anthem Blue Cross joins CaliforniaChoice small group exchange

Today Forbes announced that Woodland Hills and Orange, CA – Anthem Blue Cross and CHOICE Administrators, Inc. (CHOICE Administrators) together announce an agreement for Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company to join the CaliforniaChoice small group health exchange. As of June 1, 2010, the partnership will offer HMO and PPO benefits for all new and renewing CaliforniaChoice employer groups.

Anthem Blue Cross will join the following health plans currently available through the CaliforniaChoice small group program: Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Health Plan and Western Health Advantage.

CaliforniaChoice is the largest health insurance Exchange in America. Since its approval by the state in 1996, CaliforniaChoice has administered over 19 million member months of exchange health coverage.

Employers in the CaliforniaChoice exchange control their benefits budget by setting a monthly contribution that is used toward employee benefit premiums.

Employees are able to take their employer’s contribution and apply it toward the health plan and coverage level they like best, choosing from a selection of HMO, PPO and HSA-qualified benefits offered through the available participating health plans’ special disease management programs.

To receive a free instant CaliforniaChoice health insurance for your business, visit QuoteBroker.com or call (800) 783-0802 x 711.