Aetna Inc. has released the results of a new consumer survey as open enrollment for employer-offered insurance plans comes to a close. The results of the survey show that more than half of insured adults in the U.S. find the terms of their insurance policies confusing. This presents a major problem for both insurers and consumers as these adults general tend to accept any terms they are given as they believe that any insurance coverage, even if it is not appropriate to their needs, is better than no coverage at…
Read MoreTag: health insurance information
New website allows users to watch rate increases for health insurance
Web users across the United States can use a new federal website to watch the status of a health insurer in order to determine whether or not that company has increased its rates, and may view the insurer’s justification for doing so. According to the deputy director for oversight at the Department of Health and Human Services, Steve Larsen, the data now available on this website is information that was primarily unavailable before the site’s launch. There were only a few states that offered rate increases on their official websites.…
Read MoreNew website allows Nevada consumers to review and respond to health insurance rate increases
The Division of Insurance in Nevada has announced the launch of the new Nevada Health Rate Review website that is available to consumers and small businesses in the state, to allow them to review health insurance rate hikes, as well as leave their own comments. The website was created in order to comply with a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which began September 1, 2011. This federal law demands that the state offer a way for small businesses and consumers to leave their comments regarding rate hikes that…
Read MoreExcellus of New York files for rate increases, cites soaring health care costs
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York has approached state insurance regulators for approval to raise its health insurance rates. The proposal is planned to take effect next year and will impose a 19.5% increase on some of the policies in the state. The company says that the increase is necessary in order to keep up with soaring medical costs. This is the same reasoning that prevails amongst the majority of the nation’s health insurers, but the notion has yet to gain traction amongst lawmakers, who have been tasked…
Read MoreThe latest battle over Maine health insurance bill
As health care reform continues to be a hotly contested issue throughout the nation, Maine is embroiled in its own battle regarding the state’s health insurance regulations. Earlier this week, a bill was introduced that would seek to overhaul the current regulatory standard in the hopes of increasing competition in the state’s health insurance market, thereby driving down insurance rates. Introduced by Representative Jonathan McKane (R), the bill has received rigid opposition from Democrats who say that consumer protections are being put at risk. The promise that the bill will…
Read More