Blue Cross to refund $155M under health reform law

[supernova]

Source: WRAL.Com

RALEIGH, N.C. — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina said Monday that it would refund $155.8 million to 215,000 policyholders because of the national health reform effort.

Brad Wilson, chief executive of Blue Cross, the state's largest insurer, said the refunds would be issued by the end of the year to people who had individual Blue Advantage or Blue Options HSA policies on March 23, the date when President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 into law.

"This is not necessarily in response to any criticism. It's simply the right thing to do," Wilson said. "A new law was enacted, new rules are in force, change is in the air."

Refunds will be equivalent to a little less than two months of premiums, meaning the average policyholder who pays a $380 monthly premium would receive about $690 back, he said.

Read more: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/8317109/

---

Average is $380/mo? I haven't seen that since at least 10 years ago.

But good news about the refund nonetheless.

[Pirate Smile]

1. Awesome.

:)

[jaysunb]

2. This should be a BIG headline around the country...

but I guess it's more fun to talk about Ms Delaware. :evilfrown:

[SkyDaddy7]

11. This is the #1 problem the Democrats have...

The Democrats do not have a Rupert Murdoch Media Empire to broadcast all the Democrats accomplishments...The GOP is able to get whatever message they want out within hours! FOX "News", Talk Radio & the rest of Murdoch's media sources all stay on message & they repeat repeat repeat!

I am so sick of hearing the Democrats do not know how to sell their story, accomplishments or control the message...They have to rely on the MSM & they are off covering something else that really speaks for itself when they could be educating the public with FACTS! Not defending the Democrats just reporting the facts about what Obama has done...His accomplishments are aimed at helping people but the right wing has convinced enough people that Obama is destroying the country!

Rupert Murdoch controls more of this country's political system than people realize! I would not be surprised if somehow O'Donnell wins...Not one bit will I be surprised!

[eridani]

13. The problem that Dems have is campaigning on laundry lists insttead ov values n/t

[SkyDaddy7]

19. Values?

Are purity test coming next?

[eridani]

23. No, a gutlessness test

Why are Dems refusing to say what they stand for? non-political junkies don't give a shit about charts; they are motivated by an appeal to values.

What is the basic value underlying HCR?

[jaysunb]

17. +1

:thumbsup: although I don't think O'Donnell will win. I think we and others will spend so much time on her that the other crazies get ignored and slip beneath the radar. :evilfrown:

[tridim]

3. Is Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross?

If so, my luck is changing big time.

[supernova]

8. The article doesn't say

Anthem so I'm thinking not.

[tridim]

12. Colorado Blues Backtrack on Individual Health Premiums

By TREVOR THOMAS
Published 9/17/2010 Subscribe to Life & Health

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado will provide a premium credit totaling $20 million to about 90,000 individual health care insureds in the state.

In an agreement with the Colorado Department of Insurance (DOI), Anthem agreed to provide the credits to individuals insured by Anthem with certain individual health insurance policies from Jan.1 through Sept. 30.

Anthem, Denver, said it agreed to refund the policyholders either with a one-time premium credit on their December statement or through a check.

In October 2009, the Colorado DOI had approved three individual health insurance rate filings from Anthem for 2010 for individual health care policies. Then, following what the DOI called a “spike in consumer complaints” about the company, the DOI earlier this year intiated a market-conduct examination of the increases.

<snip>

http://www.lifeandhealthinsurancenews.com/News/2010/9/Pages/Colorado-Blues-Backtrack-on-Individual-Health-Premiums.aspx

Looks like this is happening all over the country! HCR in action.

[DGG]

14. Blue Cross not one company

The Blue Cross plans are for the most part independent from one another except for sharing the trademark. (See Wikipedia for some of the history of this.) Some are for-profit, others, as in the case of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, the one referenced in the article at the head of this thread, are non-profit. (A few years back BCBSNC attempted to convert from non-profit to for-profit to the benefit of its executives but to my surprise the state blocked the move.) Anyway, as someone covered under one of the plans in question (who just wrote a check tonight, in fact), I'm delighted with the news. I hope it gets more publicity before election day.

[supernova]

15. Welcome to DU, DGG

:hi: from a fellow Durhamite. :-)

We are a a rambunctions bunch of debaters, but we are passionate.

:rofl:

[gateley]

4. "This is not necessarily in response to any criticism. It's simply the right thing to do,"

:spray: :rofl:

[supernova]

5. LOL!

True dat!

[Nikki Stone1]

6. In California, BC just raised our rates up to 30%

Obama is in bed with the devil when it comes to these insurers

[supernova]

9. They are all

trying to raise rates they think they can get by with before 2014.

[NorthCarolina]

7. My partner and I both have Individual policy's with BCBSofNC

Unfortunately, being a gay couple we do not qualify for a cost saving family coverage plan. A refund would be nice, but I cannot help wonder when the other shoe will drop....like a huge rate hike to follow the refund.

[supernova]

16. Are eiher of you eligible for the refund?

I don't have ins because of a preexisting condition.

[NorthCarolina]

21. If the refund goes out to

Blue Advantage policy holders, then yes we should both be eligible.

[Safetykitten]

10. Meanwhile in the BCBS coffee room...who raided the coffee fund?

[mbperrin]

18. Meanwhile, our BCBS premium just went up $100 per month to $820

deductible doubled to $1000, out of pocket from $3500 to $5000, and prescriptions doubled.

Oh, well.

[joeglow3]

20. Translation: Premiums will shoot up so much, we don't need as much in reserves

Seriously, people: be a lot more skeptical of insurance companies before running around and sucking everyone's dick.

[laureloak]

22. I'll take it, but I'd rather have a public option.