Tag: California

Three large insurers opt out of California health insurance exchange

Marc
Health Insurance company merger Aetna

Health insurance companies choose to opt out of exchange program California’s health insurance exchange, called Covered California, is beginning to take shape as it inches closer to becoming fully active at the end of this year. The exchange has been accepting policy applications from numerous health insurance companies throughout the state, all of which seem eager to participate in the exchange system. Three of the state’s largest insurers, however, have decided to opt out of the exchange program, at least for the first year of its operation. Decision could limit…

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Federal government takes over health insurance program in California

Logan B.
health care reform

California health insurance program now under federal control California’s high-risk health insurance program is set to be taken over by the federal government in the coming weeks. The state’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was established to ensure that state residents with serious and chronic medical issues were able to find the health insurance coverage they needed. The program itself has been somewhat successful in this endeavor as it provides coverage for some 17,000 Californians. There had been concerns, however, that the program would not be able to last for the…

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Homeowners insurance confusion is common in California

Nordstrom
Homeowners Insurance credit score

Confusion concerning homeowners insurance protection is a major problem in California Confusion is a common problem among a large portion of Californians when it comes to the basics of homeowners insurance. A new poll from InsuranceQuotes.com, an insurance aggregator, shows that many people do not accurately know what their homeowners insurance policies cover. This confusion is not only common in California, of course, and has been documented elsewhere in the U.S. Homeowners insurance confusion was recently highlighted as a major issue that exacerbated the impact of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. Homeonwers…

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Bills introduced to address health insurance issues in California

S.Vagus
Governor Jerry Brown - California health insurance

California lawmakers look to provide consumers with more protection in the health insurance sector California lawmakers have introduced two bills to Governor Jerry Brown this week. Each of the bills is awaiting Brown’s approval, which lawmakers expect to come in short order. The bills are meant to provide consumers with more protection in the health insurance sector, preventing insurers from refusing coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions and prohibiting the limitation of coverage or excessive charging for coverage of older consumers. The legislations are also meant to make the…

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Employer-sponsored health insurance grows more costly in California

Logan B.
California health insurance

Health insurance for employers is becoming expensive in California There are concerns in California that health insurance is beginning to become unnecessarily expensive. Consumers are beginning to show worry over higher rates and employers are beginning to report that health insurance coverage is becoming more expensive and, in some cases, too costly to continue offering to employees. These concerns are backed up by a new survey from the California HealthCare Foundation. The survey shows that employer-sponsored health insurance, in particular, is certainly becoming more expensive. Survey shows costs continue to…

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Health insurance rate increase draws ire of California regulators

Logan B.
Dave Jones California insurance commissioner insurance industry rates

Dave Jones criticizes health insurance company for rate increases California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has strong criticism against some of the state’s health insurance companies this week. The Commissioner, who has long been wrestling with insurers over the cost of health insurance coverage, denounced Anthem Blue Cross for the company’s latest rate increase proposal. Jones calls the rate increase “excessive” and “unreasonable.” In the past, rate increases have been targeted mostly at consumers, but the latest increase from Anthem Blue Cross is aimed at small businesses. Rate increase targets small…

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Health insurance rates expected to jump in California

Nordstrom
Health Insurance Rates California Expected to Rise

Health insurance may soon get more expensive for individuals Californians can expect to see major changes to their state’s health insurance market next year as the Affordable Care Act becomes fully enacted. Covered California, a non-profit, pseudo-government group that will be managing the state’s health insurance exchange, has released a new study concerning the effects the health care law may have on the individual market. The study suggests that prices for health insurance coverage in the individual market are going to experience some volatility in the coming year, with some…

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