Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine hosted a public comment forum Monday to discuss their impending rate hikes. A small group assembled in opposition of the proposed premium increases, most of whom were vocal with their disdain. The insurer is seeking to raise its rates as a result of rising medical costs and insists that the new rates will help ensure the quality of health care remains high. Many policyholders aren’t buying it. “We all know this is not about delivering quality care,” argues one angry Mapleton resident,…
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Christian medical plan expempt from health care reform law
In a recent ruling, democrat lawmakers have won the right to keep Christian medical plans in place, and members will not be forced to carry traditional health insurance under Obama’s health care reform. Medi-Share, a Christian health cost sharing plan with close to 40,000 members, is not considered health insurance. The plan has been growing in popularity over the past 17 years by offering lower costs than regular insurance plans and setting forth rules for its members of no: illegal drugs, tobacco, no sex out of marriage, no alcohol abuse…
Read MoreMaybe a break for small businesses health care costs
With the burden of a staggered economy weighing on employers, many are looking to cut costs while retaining benefits for their employees. However, the rates for employee health coverage have been going up for the past few years, making health care among the first benefits to be cut entirely. Trowbridge Insurance of Pacifica California is looking to change that by teaming up with a third party administrator in an effort to save businesses money on coverage. The third party has developed a strategy to save businesses and unions up to…
Read MoreNo one signed up for Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
The Group Insurance Commission’s open enrollment for 2011 ended this week and no one signed up for it. This was designed to help municipalities save millions a year. Joel Barrera, deputy director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, a planning organization for 101 Boston area communities said, “The experiences of the 31 municipalities and regional government units that have joined the commission since 2007 clearly demonstrate the potential for substantial savings.” Barrera also stated, “We know the GIC saves millions of dollars, but we also know municipalities are not able…
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