A new bill passed in Pennsylvania has consumer advocacy groups a little worried about the state’s future health insurance program. The bill in question was passed by the state Senate on Wednesday requires all health insurers in the state to submit their rate proposals to regulators for review if they are seeking increases of 10% or higher. While legislators claim that more regulations will help ensure insurance companies do not enact excessive rate increased, consumer advocacy group Pennsylvania Health Access Network, says that the bill compromises the protections of small…
Read MoreTag: health insurance in Pennsylvania
Federal insurance regulators reject rate increase proposal from Everence Insurance of Pennsylvania
The Department of Health and Human Services has exercised one of the new authorities it has been granted under the Affordable Care Act this week. The agency has denied a rate proposal request from Everence Insurance of Pennsylvania. This marks the first time the agency has made use of its new authority over the nation’s insurance companies. Everence Insurance must now rework their rate proposal so that it aligns with what the HHS defines as reasonable. Earlier this year, Everence submitted a rate increase proposal to the Pennsylvanian Department of…
Read MoreAllstate proposes higher rates for Pennsylvania homes
Allstate of Pennsylvania has issued a new rate proposal for its property and casualty insurance lines. The company is seeking to raise its rates due to the unprecedented frequency of national disasters befalling the state. These disasters have placed the insurer under enormous financial pressure as it attempts to mitigate the damage caused by this year’s multitude of storms. The insurer is asking state regulators for approval to raise its rates by an average of 20% for the 195,000 policies in effect in Pennsylvania. This year’s storms have caused damage…
Read MorePennsylvania: Domestic partner health insurance update
In York, Pennsylvania, the domestic partners of city employees will be getting new options for health insurance. Late Tuesday night, the York City Council passed a resolution that would make same or opposite gender domestic partners eligible for health coverage as part of benefits offered to city employees. The coverage will begin at the end of a 30 day open enrollment period. The coverage will also extend to the children of domestic partnerships until the age of 26. Couples will need to prove that they depend on each other financially…
Read MoreA health care crisis brewing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s adultBasic health insurance program is in danger if being terminated as it faces steep shortfalls in funding. The program is one of the few entirely state-funded insurance programs that cater to low-income adults and families that do not qualify for Medicaid. Currently, 42,000 people are covered by the program, with another 500,000 on the waiting list, hoping to get coverage. If the program is terminated, they will have no insurance until the Medicaid program is expanded in 2014. AdultBasic has been facing complications since last year and the program…
Read More