California health insurers to raise average rates 8% to 14%

[xchrom]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0223-health-insurance-rate-hikes-20120223,0,7634380.story

California's largest health insurers are raising average rates by about 8% to 14% for hundreds of thousands of consumers with individual coverage, outpacing the costs of overall medical care.

The cost of goods and services associated with medical care grew just 3.6% over the last 12 months nationally, government figures show. But insurance premiums have kept climbing at a faster pace in California.

Insurers defended their rate hikes, saying they are based on their claims experience with the customers they insure and not just the broader rate of medical inflation. They also say that healthier members dropped out of the individual market as premiums rose and the economy worsened in recent years, leaving behind a group of policyholders who have higher average costs.

"We will continue to examine the fundamental issues at the heart of rising healthcare costs, including the prevention of chronic disease, increasing the quality of care and reducing unnecessary health expenses," said Darrel Ng, spokesman for Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit health insurer.

[flexnor]

1. my health insurance rates have gone up over 40 percent since the 'affordable health act'

back to back to back for 3 years, the latest increase kicks in next month - yippie!!!! (gotta pay for that new palace they just built somehow)

not a single claim in that period

didnt go to the doctor once

please, dont make it more 'affordable' i can hardly afford it as it is

[xchrom]

2. 'please, dont make it more 'affordable' i can hardly afford it as it is'

[lunatica]

3. perfect!

So it's the fault of the healthy people this time.

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. That's their story and they're sticking to it!

Last edited Thu Feb 23, 2012, 09:22 AM - Edit history (1)

Blood sucking leeches and thanks to the "affordable health act" there will be be a whole new batch of victims soon enough.


What a shit country this is.

[CAPHAVOC]

6. Unless

SCOTUS puts ACA out of its misery it may destroy the Democratic Party. Why they did it is way past me.

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. Because Obama believes our health care is better managed by private

industry rather than by the government?

So much for the very successful Medicare program.

[CAPHAVOC]

9. Key is managed

Not by Docs. But by paper pushers. I hope we get rid of the insurance companies and get medicare for everybody.

[CAPHAVOC]

5. You ain't seen nothin yet!

Buying insurance after the fire kicks in soon. ACA is a disaster.

[izquierdista]

7. Defend?

What's to defend? Does a dog have to defend why he licks his balls?