Regence and Health Net Take Different Approach to Exchange
The health insurers that want to participate in Cover Oregon next year have until next Tuesday to file their proposed rates and benefit plans with the Insurance Division
oregon insurance division
OSPIRG Report Calls on Insurers to Do More to Control Costs
The new report says 2009 insurance reforms have resulted in $80 million savings, but says health insurers are still not being held fully accountable for their hyper-inflated rate increases.
Health Committee Approves Bill to Offset 2014 Premium Hikes
A closed-door task force crafted HB 3458, the Oregon Reinsurance Program, after a consultant reported insurance premiums on the individual market would climb 38% next year. The program assesses insurers $4 per policy per month, a decline from current state assessments.
April 4, 2013 — The House Health Committee has unanimously passed major reinsurance legislation, designed to offset the spike in premium rates next year when insurers are required to accept thousands of sick people who had previously been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
Oregon House Votes to Include Insurers in Consumer Fraud Act
Sen. Chip Shields told The Lund Report he expects the Senate to pass the measure, which would remove the unique exception insurance companies such as Regence BlueCross BlueShield have from the Unlawful Trade Practices Act.
April 3, 2013 — Seven years ago, Regence BlueCross BlueShield blithely declared that Azusa Suzuki was dead and refused to honor a supplemental insurance claim after she was injured in a car accident.
Insurance Division Lowers Requirements for Health Insurance Sold Outside Cover Oregon
At the request of Regence BlueCross BlueShield and Lifewise, the state will require a silver plan, but not a gold plan to sell health insurance outside the exchange. All insurers selling health plans in Cover Oregon must still offer a gold plan.
March 29, 2013 — Oregon’s Insurance Division changed a requirement that all insurers offering plans outside the Cover Oregon exchange next year offer a gold-level plan following a request from insurers such as Regence BlueCross BlueShield and Lifewise Health Plan.
Oregon’s Insurance Commissioner Speaks Out About Regence BlueCross BlueShield
The decision by Providence to sever its contract with HealthNet could also pique his attention if HealthNet loses a significant number of members to its competitor
October 3, 2012 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield could find itself on the hot seat again. This time actuaries from inside the Oregon Insurance Division are in the midst of conducting an in-depth financial review at Regence’s headquarters in downtown Portland -– looking for any irregularities and whether the insurer has the financial stability to meet the needs of its policyholders.
Regence Policyholders Face More Than an 8.9 Percent Rate Hike
About 30,000 policyholders will also see much higher deductibles, and lose mental health coverage and pay more for their prescriptions
August 30, 2012 – The 52,000 Oregonians who purchase their own insurance coverage from Regence BlueCross BlueShield face a double whammy come December 1.
Regence Refuses to Publicly Share Information on Rate Hike
Meanwhile the Oregon Insurance Division has approved a 12.2 percent rate increase for people who purchase their own coverage through Providence Health Plan
August 24, 2012 – A proposed 9.6 percent rate increase by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon looks like it will be decided behind closed doors. That increase would impact nearly 53,000 Oregonians who purchase their own coverage starting in December.
Upcoming Health Insurance Rate Hearings Involving Regence/ Providence
July 25, 2012 -- Watch online: Both hearings will be streamed live so that people can watch from their computers at home. To view the hearing, visit this page shortly before the starting time: http://www.oregonhealthrates.org/?pg=public_hearing.html.
Hearing details:
New Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Protections
July 10, 2012 -- Oregonians who have long-term care insurance now have the right to have their claims paid promptly and to appeal an insurance company decision to deny benefits.
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