premiums

LifeWise Suspends Sale of Individual Policies

The health insurer disagrees with the Oregon Insurance Division about when federal reforms come into effect
October 21, 2010 -- At the direction of the Oregon Insurance Division, LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon has temporarily suspended sales of new individual policies. Read More >>

Regence Draws White House Ire For Rate Increases

Massive rate hikes by Regence, which is refusing to insure new children, has drawn the attention of national figures
September 23, 2010 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and its parent company The Regence Group – which controls health plans in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah – are increasingly coming between the crosshairs of White House officials. Read More >>

Businesses Shift Premiums to Workers, Uninsured Rise

The latest figures show Oregon's uninsured rate is likely rising
September 22, 2010 -- The affordability of medical insurance cropped up this month as studies showed the number of uninsured Americans rose by 4.4 million and that employers are shifting the burden of rising premiums to workers. Read More >>

Oregon Insurers Double Profits From Last Year

Shedding members, padding surplus and increasing profits continued
September 1, 2010 -- Oregon’s eight largest health insurers continued to shed members and increase profits in the first six months of this year, based on the industry’s latest financial statements released by the Oregon Insurance Division. Read More >>

Rate Review Alone Won't End Cost Spikes

A $1 million federal grant will shed more light on rate increases but won’t end the escalation of medical costs
August 19, 2010 – Oregon’s been given $1 million to scrutinize health insurance rate increases, but those federal grant dollars may do very little to stem the rising costs of healthcare – unless pressure is exerted.  Read More >>

Federal High Risk Pool Reaches Oregon

Over the next 3 1/2 years the federal government will pour $66 million into the state-run pool
July 14, 2010 -- It’s official. The federal high risk pool gets under way in Oregon on Aug. 1, and people can begin applying immediately. Read More >>

PEBB Expected to Increase Rates

The Public Employees Benefit Board is likely to approve an overall 9.93 percent hike when it meets Friday afternoon
July 7, 2010 -- Now that the $34 million hole has been plugged for state employee benefits for 2011, the Public Employees Benefit Board is preparing to accept rate increases to cover that gap when it meets on Friday afternoon. Read More >>

Insurance Rates Increase Unabated

Oregon regulators prepare for $1 million federal grant to strengthen rate review
June 24, 2010 -- Double-digit premium increases continue to plague Oregonians this year despite passage of the new health reform law and stern warnings by President Barack Obama to the nation’s health insurers not to gouge consumers. Read More >>

A Cautionary Tale from Santa Fe

A health insurance expert gives a cautionary tale to those pushing for meaningful federal rate review
May 5, 2010 -- You may have heard in Santa Fe recently, State Insurance Commissioner Mo Chavez approved a 21% rate increase affecting 40,000 Individual Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico subscribers.
Read More >>

Double-Digit Rate Increase Hits Oregon Schools

At the same time, teachers will see their benefits reduced, paying higher copays and deductibles.
May 5, 2010 -- School districts and community colleges face double-digit rate increases for health insurance this fall. The primary reason: high utilization of medical services. Read More >>
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