Live Insurance News

Health insurance exchange in California awards grants worth $37 million

May 17, 2013May 25, 2013 G. Turner

There have been 48 grants for 16 winners whose names have now been announced in the state. The Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, and the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities has joined a list of nearly fifty other organizations that are the recipients of a total of $37 million in grants from the health insurance exchange in California. This was a part of an education and outreach grant program by Covered California. There were a total of 16 winners of the grants that totaled millions of dollars from…

Health insurance rates increases of extreme levels may be premature

May 9, 2013May 7, 2013 G. Turner

Consumers are cautioned not to take estimates of hikes in premiums seriously, just yet. As the health insurance marketplaces are just being established and the very first estimates are starting to be released regarding the impact of these exchanges on the cost of the coverage, experts and officials are cautioning consumers not to take the numbers at face value, just yet. There are many different factors to consider, and they have not yet all been applied to the estimates. For example, in April, Maryland released the premiums that would be…

Bills introduced to address health insurance issues in California

May 1, 2013April 30, 2013 S.Vagus

Governor Jerry Brown - California health insurance

California lawmakers look to provide consumers with more protection in the health insurance sector California lawmakers have introduced two bills to Governor Jerry Brown this week. Each of the bills is awaiting Brown’s approval, which lawmakers expect to come in short order. The bills are meant to provide consumers with more protection in the health insurance sector, preventing insurers from refusing coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions and prohibiting the limitation of coverage or excessive charging for coverage of older consumers. The legislations are also meant to make the…

Insurance industry in California receives new approval

May 1, 2013April 30, 2013 Nordstrom

Lawmakers have given their approval to a couple of consumer protection bills for discrimination prevention. The lawmakers in California have just sent a couple of consumer protection bills to Governor Jerry Brown, which – if signed – will change the health insurance industry in the state by preventing insurers from discrimination against individuals who have pre-existing conditions, and placing a limit on the amount that they will be able to charge older people. These bills are meant to change the laws in California in order to have them match federal…

Employer-sponsored health insurance grows more costly in California

April 27, 2013April 25, 2013 Logan B.

Health insurance for employers is becoming expensive in California There are concerns in California that health insurance is beginning to become unnecessarily expensive. Consumers are beginning to show worry over higher rates and employers are beginning to report that health insurance coverage is becoming more expensive and, in some cases, too costly to continue offering to employees. These concerns are backed up by a new survey from the California HealthCare Foundation. The survey shows that employer-sponsored health insurance, in particular, is certainly becoming more expensive. Survey shows costs continue to…

Health insurance rate increase draws ire of California regulators

April 12, 2013April 10, 2013 Logan B.

Dave Jones California insurance commissioner insurance industry rates

Dave Jones criticizes health insurance company for rate increases California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has strong criticism against some of the state’s health insurance companies this week. The Commissioner, who has long been wrestling with insurers over the cost of health insurance coverage, denounced Anthem Blue Cross for the company’s latest rate increase proposal. Jones calls the rate increase “excessive” and “unreasonable.” In the past, rate increases have been targeted mostly at consumers, but the latest increase from Anthem Blue Cross is aimed at small businesses. Rate increase targets small…

Health insurance study shows that there will be considerable changes in premiums in 2014

April 1, 2013March 29, 2013 H. Cutner

The research showed that while they may notably rise for some Californians, they will plummet for others. Next year, when the healthcare reform law goes into full effect, the results of a recent study have shown that there will be some considerable differences in the health insurance premiums that are paid by residents of California. Though this is wonderful news for some, it is not as pleasant for others, said the report. The research suggested that while some people in California will see their individual market health insurance premiums rise…