Oregon Insurance Division

Oregon Regulators Stand Up to Insurers

It's a great day for consumers and small businesses, said State Sen. Chip Shields
February 16, 2010 -- Despite heated objections by health insurance companies, state regulators at the Oregon Insurance Division finalized rules on Tuesday (Feb. 16) making every part of their rate filing open to the public. Read More >>

Small Businesses Face Brunt of Insurance Hikes

State regulators approve rate requests for Regence and HealthNet, while other requests are pending
February 11, 2010 -- The Oregon Insurance Division approved a 16 percent rate increase on Regence individual health plans renewing after April and a 12.2 percent increase on HealthNet small group plans. Read More >>

Insurers Ready Another Round of Double-Digit Hikes

State actuaries say medical costs went up 12 to 13 percent last year
February 4, 2010 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield is asking the Insurance Division to approve a 25.3 percent average premium increase on more than 73,000 individuals whose policies renew starting April 1. Read More >>

Insurers, Consumers Battle Over Public Disclosure

Under the proposed rule, financial information considered confidential by insurance companies would be made public when they request a rate increase
February 4, 2010 -- A tug of war is under way between health insurers and consumer advocates over disclosure, and the decision rests in the hands of Oregon’s Insurance Division. Read More >>

Regulators Praised for Tough Stance on Insurers

The Oregon Insurance Division says no exemptions to public disclosure on rate filings
October 27, 2009 -- State regulators at the Oregon Insurance Division are getting the thumbs up from health insurance reform advocates who say they’ve drawn a firm line in the first draft of rules to tighten the way they regulate health insurance premiums. Read More >>

Enrollment Down, Profits Up for Oregon Insurers

Insurers are on pace to increase profits this year by 25 percent on higher premiums while fewer people have coverage
September 9, 2009 -- As premiums continue to rise unabated, Oregon insurers lost more than 21,000 members in the second quarter of 2009 – from April through June – representing a 1.2 percent decline compared to the first quarter of this year. Read More >>

Oregon Takes Lead in Insurance Cost Scrutiny

Health insurers will soon have to report every administrative cost from furniture to moving expenses
July 23, 2009 -- When Oregon regulators analyze insurance premiums next year, they’ll take a closer look at administrative costs than nearly any health insurance regulator in United States history. Read More >>

Complaints Lead to Fines on Insurers

The relative number of complaints remained low, but state regulators took action in several cases
July 15, 2009 -- The number of complaints against health insurance companies remained flat in 2008 despite efforts by the Department of Consumer and Business Services to spread the word. Of the 30 companies based in Oregon, only 694 complaints were filed. Read More >>

Law Judge Upholds Regence Rate Increase

Attorney in the case says he'll appeal the decision further
June 29, 2009 -- Charlie Ringo, attorney and former Oregon Senator, says he will appeal the decision to uphold a 26 percent rate increase on Regence individual health plans that took effect last year. Read More >>

Health Insurers Reveal Cost Sharing

Consumers should more easily get detailed cost information from their insurer
June 10, 2009 -- Say your doctor suggests you need gall bladder surgery, and you want to know how much of the bill your health insurer will actually pay. Starting July 1, that information should be easy as making a toll-free phone call or clicking onto your insurer’s Web site.  Read More >>
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