Anthem seeks 22.9 percent rate increase in MainePORTLAND — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine has proposed a 22.9 percent rate increase for two health insurance plans targeting individuals. The filing comes as Anthem awaits a judge's ruling on an earlier rate case. Maine Insurance Superintendent Mila Koffman last spring denied Anthem's proposed 18 percent rate hike for its individual insurance plans. Instead, she approved a revised request for a 10.9 percent increase, which provided for a zero percent profit margin. The new filing focuses on the same two products that provide coverage for 11,066 Mainers. Greg Howard from Maine Changes That Works, which advocates health care reform, says it "boggles the mind" that Anthem would file for another increase before the last one was settled. Bookmark/Search this post with:
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Comments
I agree completely. I believe we can only assume that since our legislators stopped out of state insurers from coming in due to the fact that supposedly they would line their pockets. Thanks for sharing. Regards, klimmzugstange wand
They aren't helping themselves with these increases during this National Health Care Reform Bill being discussed! But looks like they don't care either. Thanks. Regards, gesund abnehmen
Has anyone considered why Anthem is only requesting this increase in Maine? Perhaps it is the economic consequence of ten years of guaranteed issue and community rating. These are the very same policies bewing proposed in Congress for the whole country now. If Obamacare passes, then in ten more years noboby will have health insurance and we will all have to rely on government handouts for our health care.
I don't think they have any concern whatsoever for the people of Maine. Neither do the politicians in that have them in their pockets who voted down allowing other competitive insurance companies to come into the State last year. Last week I was quoted (by Anthem) $1400 a MONTH for a basic major medical without maternity or any extras, with a $1,000 deductible per person. How is that affordable to ANY Mainer?? They told me they do not offer a catastrophic policy so if I want that I have to go through onte of the companies like Mega Life and Health, whose coverage based upon my research is spotty and restrictive. Folks that is more than most people I know bring home in a month. The bottom line is that what is decided in Washington will ultimately be what is good for the politicians and their political careers and pocketbooks and the general public will get what they get.
No doubt that Anthem already knows the outcome of the upcoming health care Bill in Washington.There is nothing like betting on a sure thing--there will be no cap on premiums increase.
The people are stuck between a rock and hard place . If the National Bill is enacted, the forcing -the -uninsured -to- buy, new business will go to companies like Anthem.
If ther Bill fails, it's business as usual. All that will be gained are a few crumbs,and certainly not a cap on rates. That was not included by the lobbyists who wrote the whole Bill.
I bet Joe Lieberman is happy to hear this news.Me not surprised theres one thing you can count on with Anthem Blue Cross rate increase.Thats how there fat cat execs have new BMWS every year.
Obama care won't solve this problem. The final healtcare bill be crafted in Washington will require you under penalty of jail or fines to buy health insurance from the very same company your complaining about.
Just why we needed a public option. That, along with allowing consumers to buy across state lines, and to import drugs from Canada would get me to support the health care plan again. Right now, it's just a welfare program for the insurance companies.
It's raises like this that give ammo to the national health plan. Inflation is about zero but yet they need a 22% raise in rates. This is just wrong. Don't they live in the same world as the rest of us this past year plus. I would give them zero right along with the inflation rate. I am sure their employees aren't getting any raises and they plead poverty to them that they can't afford raises. The CEO though for sure will get his 7 figure bonus. I don't support the current plan in Washington but something has to be done. When your one of a few companies in the state you can get away wiht this. Open the state up to all companies who want to be here, whether out of state or not.
If only Anthem would give me some clear sign of their corporate benevolence! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank.
Snowe and Collins need to be re-called so that these behemoths can go out of business and die a slow death. Blue Cross/Blue shields used to be socialized medicine until someone changed them, they used to be owned by the drs, hospitals and subscribers, somehow they got sold to a greedy southern group.
Insanity... Our legislature has mandated that Maine citizens cannot openly "shop" for the policy/price/benefits/risk that best suits their needs. Therefore our limited options can simply attempt to raise prices whenever they feel the need.
In regards to the comment about not being able to disciminate based on sex... Male and female policies have different prices... I call that discimination.
As far as the comment about a national health plan... There is a difference between open market competition and socialized services. Open the doors and let companies compete for business and prices will fall.
You know we are all holding the line because of the economy why can't BCBS? People who for the state are being made to take furlow days pay more for their benenfits so why can't BCBS hold the line like the rest of us. I think they should be told NO! Cut back need to happen for them show us they are trying to hold the line and prove it!
I'd be thrilled with "only" a 22.9 percent increase. My small business group (under 50 employees) plan went up 37.8 percent this year!
Health Insurance for our business is now the largest single expense that we have. It will be only be a couple more years of increases like this past year to make coverage impossible.
Before all of the state mandates, health insurance was a relatively small percentage of our budget. Since the early 90's when all the mandates kicked and insurers left the state faster than snowbirds in January, the rise in rates, at least for us, has been spectactular to say the least.
Coincidence? A result of all that regulation and so many insurance companies leaving the state? I'm sure that someone far smarter than I am can help me out with that question.
Not that I know of, Sarah. But I did grow up in East Livermore and lived next door to Bert Goodwin who had a daughter named Sarah. Surely, you understand I wrote my comment in jest. If you really wish to know more about this greedy, conscienceless corporate entity, go to the Maine Legislature, hang out in the hall, attend the hearings and listen to their conscienceless lobbyist. And then look at what Anthem pays him to promote their sins and lies. Anthem is without a doubt one of the greediest corporations in America. Plum Creek is just one step behind them.
Geeze, Sarah. I just checked out the family tree and I am related to Joseph Mengles.
Bill Randall, you wouldn't by any chance have any relatives with the last name of Mengele, if you get my drift...
Not that I know of, Sarah. But I did know a red-headed Sarah Goodwin many years ago. She was my neighbor and her father was Bert Goodwin who fixed my mom and dad's new refrigerator after I accidently shot a hole through it with a 30-30 rifle.
Well it could be worse. They could have asked for a 23% increase. They only want a 22.9 % increase.
This is apparently a topic that many are passionate about. For those of us who have been around for a long time, I certainly remember when health insurance WAS affordable in this State and it was BEFORE the state legislature imposed mandatory coverages on insurance carriers. Today, in Maine, we already have a law that does not allow a person to be dropped because they are seriously ill. it has been law since 1993 in Maine & since 1996 in the US.
In Maine - gender discrimination is NOT allowed in medical insurance and that has been on the books since 1993.
In Maine - we already hae a law whereby employers can offer extended coverage where children in their 20's could stay on family plans. this is one of the federal proposals on the table. It is already a reality here in Maine.
In Maine - we already have guaranteed renewability of health insurance. Its been on the books since 1993 and nationally law since 1996.
In Maine we already have a 1993 law that regulates excluding pre-existing conditions on health insurance customers. There was also national legislation in 1996. Maine's restrictions are stricter.
People need to get informed about these issues. The coverage mandates that have been imposed by the state legislature is what started all this... Before this there were many choices, many carriers offering insurance here in Maine, and good pricing.
This is to enable the President of Anthem to get a 15 + million bonus in February. Who do you think pays for that ??
After the shameful behavior by the insurance industry and our Senators in sabotaging any real progress on health care reform, Anthem has the audacity to do this?! I'm not surprised; none of these people seem to understand or even care that people are dying due to a lack of affordable insurance and health care.
Appalling greed. Worse, Snowe and Collins and the other republican hacks want to ensure these private insurance companies won't have to compete with a public option. Too bad we couldn't have a Senatorial recall.
Competition!!!
The State Legislature should be ashamed of themselves, but they're not.
Competition!!!
The same people will continue to get re-elected. The people of the State of Maine haven't figured out there is a connection between those in Augusta and cost of living expenses here in the Great State o' Maine. There is a connection between jobs leaving the state and the cost to operate a business here in the state. Sad.
Competition!!!!!!!!
And, that includes at the poles!
There's a reason why insurance ompanies have the biggest buildings!!!!
There's a reason why insurance companies have the biggest buildings!!!! BASTARDS!
J. Harden, I agree! My Aetna insurance for my family just jumped over $400.00 a month!!! I am self employed and now pay $1,600.00 for my family....My business hasnt had the work and Im barely able to pay this, but what choice do I have! I wish they would just allow us to shop across state lines, that would fix these insurance companies! They arent helping themselves with these increases during this National Health Care Reform Bill being discussed! But looks like they dont care either.
See for someone like me who opposes "National Healt Care" this is hard to understand.
It seems to only cement the argument for it and it is very frustrating.
I still believe the state is to fault for not allowing out of state insurers to compete.
Can you imagine if we could only buy auto insurance from in-state providers how badly
they would hose us.
Anyway for the most part Anthem sucks.
I agree completely. I believe we can only assume that since our legislators stopped out of state insurers from coming in due to the fact that supposedly they would "line their pockets" on the backs of Mainers, that they indeed must be lining their own pockets in some way from Anthem, who is so badly "hosing" people. Also the ability to reject coverage based upon pre-existing conditions is really horrible as well. Let's suppose that someone has a pre-existing condition. They wait for the 12 month period with no treatment which would be required in order to qualify for treatment AFTER the 12 month waiting period, so their illness gets worse, resulting in much higher cost to the insurer because the patient waited without treatment. There is absolutely no logic to it, no rhyme or reason. The basis for excluding pre-existing conditions is supposedly to save money when I bet that if it were analyzed, we would find that it seriously INCREASES costs because of delays in regular treatment the patient needed.
We sleep quite well, thank you. We in the medical and the insurance business have no conscience.
Thanks for being honest, Bill, unless you're actually being patronizing, disguised as honesty. We're all already in the "bent over" position as far as the cost of medical care goes, and the fact that Anthem wants to "stick it" to us even more is downright disgusting, to put it mildly.
What a complete joke! Watch Maine's two do nothing senators Snowe and Collins now do what the do best about health care reform - NOTHING!
Are you freakin' kidding me??? Medical insurance companies are, in my opinion, the most corrupt businesses in this country, and a lot of the doctors themselves are riding the same wagon train... come on! Aren't times tough enough?? You companies should be ashamed of yourselves... how do you sleep at night?