Insurers

Health Plan Competition Heats Up in Central Oregon

Central Oregon IPA has signed a Medicare contract with Trillium
March 10, 2010 -- The sale between Clear One Health Plans and PacificSource still awaits approval from the Oregon Insurance Division, but competition is already expected to heat up in central Oregon when Trillium Community Health Plan enters the fray. Read More >>

Coming Down on Anthem Blue Cross in California

Two LA Times stories investigate the financing and regulatory malfeasance of Anthem and parent Wellpoint
February 24, 2010 -- The recent focus on Anthem Blue Cross in California for excessive rate increases mirrors much of our reporting at The Lund Report about premium increases in Oregon. Read More >>

LifeWise and Legacy Continue Contract Talks

The hospital system and insurer now have until April 30th to reach an agreement
February 23, 2010 -- Legacy Health System and LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon appear closer to reaching an agreement after being embroiled in a contract dispute for the past three months. Read More >>

Oregon Regulators Stand Up to Insurers

It's a great day for consumers and small businesses, said State Sen. Chip Shields
February 16, 2010 -- Despite heated objections by health insurance companies, state regulators at the Oregon Insurance Division finalized rules on Tuesday (Feb. 16) making every part of their rate filing open to the public. Read More >>

Regence Wants Slow Approach on Reform

Since 2006, Massachusetts has seen a dramatic reduction in premiums for individuals and small businesses after creating an insurance exchange.
February 11, 2010 – It was quite a coincidence. Almost the same time Regence BlueCross BlueShield received approval to raise individual rates by 16 percent, one of its top executives urged policymakers to proceed slowly with setting up an insurance exchange so the market wouldn’t be disrupted.   Read More >>

Small Businesses Face Brunt of Insurance Hikes

State regulators approve rate requests for Regence and HealthNet, while other requests are pending
February 11, 2010 -- The Oregon Insurance Division approved a 16 percent rate increase on Regence individual health plans renewing after April and a 12.2 percent increase on HealthNet small group plans. Read More >>

Insurers Ready Another Round of Double-Digit Hikes

State actuaries say medical costs went up 12 to 13 percent last year
February 4, 2010 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield is asking the Insurance Division to approve a 25.3 percent average premium increase on more than 73,000 individuals whose policies renew starting April 1. Read More >>

Insurers, Consumers Battle Over Public Disclosure

Under the proposed rule, financial information considered confidential by insurance companies would be made public when they request a rate increase
February 4, 2010 -- A tug of war is under way between health insurers and consumer advocates over disclosure, and the decision rests in the hands of Oregon’s Insurance Division. Read More >>

Legacy Embroiled in Negotiations with LifeWise

The hospitals are demanding a 9 percent rate increase that would give them a 37 percent profit margin
January 28, 2010 -- Legacy Health System and LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon are at the crossroads. Unless a contract can be negotiated by March 31, approximately 6,500 people would pay higher out-of-pocket costs or choose a different facility. Read More >>

Hospital Competition Heats Up in Southwest Washington

Portland-area hospitals eye an opportunity as the rush begins to further expand
January 21, 2010 -- Southwest Washington could become the next hotbed of competition among healthcare providers vying to gain a stronghold.   Read More >>
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