Anthem Blue Cross to delay rate increases

[Emit]

Anthem Blue Cross to delay rate increases

The scheduled March 1 hike of up to 39% for individual health insurance policies will not take effect before May 1. In the meantime, California regulators will analyze the legality of the increases.

Reporting from Sacramento - Anthem Blue Cross on Saturday announced it would delay until May 1 controversial price increases of up to 39% for its individual health insurance policyholders in California, but maintained its rates were fair, legal and necessary.

The announcement followed a barrage of criticism in recent weeks from policyholders, consumer advocates, regulators, state legislators, members of Congress and the Obama administration.

~snip~

As public criticism of the rates grew, so did action by government officials. Anthem faces three inquiries over its rates, which followed what policyholders say were large increases last year.

In addition to the inquiry by state insurance regulators, Congress has opened an investigation, and a panel of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has scheduled a hearing Feb. 24. The California Assembly's health committee will conduct a hearing Feb. 23.

~snip~

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fi-anthem14-2010feb14,0,747384.story

Looks like Moveon was influential in causing this delay. Via email:

Dear MoveOn member,

Since Friday, nearly 200,000 MoveOn members have signed a petition demanding a public explanation from Blue Cross of their plan to jack up rates by as much as 39% for some customers.

The pressure is working. Blue Cross has just announced they'll delay the increase by two months—a big signal that the outcry is making them uncomfortable.

But a short delay isn't enough—and the company is still providing no explanation for this ridiculous rate hike. They're hoping this small concession will appease the public, so we've got to show them that they're wrong.

Will you sign the petition today? Clicking here will add your name and show Big Insurance that these abuses have to stop:

http://www.moveon.org/

~snip~

–Kat, Michael, Carrie, Stephen, and the rest of the team

[Dappleganger]

1. They'll delay them until nobody's looking, then pass it again. nt

[TheDebbieDee]

2. People will always notice a nearly 40% rate hike, no matter

when it's inacted.

[liberal_at_heart]

3. It was too blatant

It caught the attention of Congress and the Obama administration and they found a way to use it to tell the American people they are doing something about insurance companies when in reality they are not. I'm sure Anthem Blue Cross will find a more subtle way to get the increase they want.