Calif. Regulator Questions Blue Shield Rate Hike

April 20, 2011 2:05 PM

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Consumer, Health, Local, News

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A state insurance regulator is asking Blue Shield of California to explain two recent rate hikes that average 37.5 percent for approximately 70,000 policyholders.

Department of Managed Health Care spokeswoman Lynne Randolph said in a statement Wednesday that the regulator wants answers in an effort to rein in the “wild west” of rate increases for consumers in the individual health coverage market.

Individual policies are typically held by people who buy insurance on their own because they don’t have coverage through an employer.

The April 18-dated letter to Blue Shield states that the regulator has serious concerns about an 18.8 percent increase that went into effect Jan. 1, and a previous hike of 15.8 percent that went into effect Oct. 1.

Calif. Regulator Questions Blue Shield Rate Hike

Rick Hirsch

What are CEO’s to do if they cannot make payments on their boat, jet or second home? Maybe it is a knee-jerk response to the Obama Health Care Plan or just plain greed.
Lia

Thank you for looking into this. I was so upset and still am with these rate increases but I am self employed and do not want to be without insurance. Every month I really struggle with the decision to make the monthly payment but I know I can not and should not be without insurance. It’s not fair. Something needs to be done especially in these times where there are no jobs/employers to help with the costs. State officials really, really need to start taking care of the People of California, we deserve better.