insurance

HealthSourceRI Enrollment Deadline March 31st

Despite extensions announced earlier this week by federal authorities, the deadline for individuals and families selecting a new plan through HealthSourceRI is still Monday, March 31st. HealthSourceRI spokeswoman Dara Chadwick spoke with the Providence Journal, Chadwick said the state will still use federal guidelines to create special provisions for those unable to enroll by March …

HealthSourceRI Enrollment Deadline March 31st Read More »

Blue Cross Back At The Trough

The headline says it all “Blue Cross seeking hefty rate increase.” According to today’s Providence Journal, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is proposing 2014 premium increases averaging 18 percent for individuals and 15 percent for small groups. The rates, the largest increases requested by Blue Cross in recent years, must be approved …

Blue Cross Back At The Trough Read More »

End Gender Rating In Health Insurance — Rally

(5.1) Sorry to be late on this one. Ocean State Action has called for a rally in the State House rotunda, Gender rating is the industry practice of health insurers charging women higher premiums than men. This is outright gender discrimination, and RI must outlaw this practice now! Urge the General Assembly to pass H-7512/S-2208. …

End Gender Rating In Health Insurance — Rally Read More »

The Commish Comes Through For Direct Payers — Denies Blue Cross Rate Hike

Kudos to Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller; it would appear that he has heard the desperate chorus of voices from the direct payer cohort. Not only has Koller issued an order lowering the effective overall average* rate for the Direct Pay plan by 1.1 percent, but according to the Providence Business News, …

The Commish Comes Through For Direct Payers — Denies Blue Cross Rate Hike Read More »

Attention Direct Payers — Blue Cross Rate Hike Hearings Tuesday

[Address Correction: The hearings are being held at the RIPUC at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. The address below is that of the OHIC. Apologies for this error and the inconvenience it may have caused. BC] The Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) has scheduled a public hearing regarding a petition by Blue …

Attention Direct Payers — Blue Cross Rate Hike Hearings Tuesday Read More »

Demystifying The RI Healthcare Insurance Exchange

(10.19) Rhode Island Community Forums, presented by The Rhode Island Foundation and Rhode Island Public Radio, is hosting a panel discussion on the state’s plans to create a new healthcare insurance exchange on Wednesday, October 19 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Crowne Plaza, Warwick. Rhode Island Public Radio’s Health Reporter Megan Hall will moderate …

Demystifying The RI Healthcare Insurance Exchange Read More »

Less Care + Higher Costs = Big Profits For Insurers

On May 14th Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts (Chairwoman of the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission) wrote a column for the Providence Journal trying to explain how millions of dollars in federal grants resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 has benefited Rhode Islanders so far. Four days later the Journal ran the column …

Less Care + Higher Costs = Big Profits For Insurers Read More »

Blue Cross To Request Rate Hike

I’ll give you a second to catch your breath. According to The Providence Journal, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island CEO James Purcell will ask the state to approve premium rate increases* in May, citing rising costs and increased use. But that new office building downtown? Nope, that was a cost-saving measure. Purcell said …

Blue Cross To Request Rate Hike Read More »

Wanted: By The American People

Providence College grad Karen Ignagni is the subject of this subtle approach of bringing back good old insurance industry vilification. If it ain’t broke… from Ocean State Action: When Big Insurance CEOs return to Washington on Tuesday to plan how to warp health care reform to pad their profit margins, we’re going to be ready …

Wanted: By The American People Read More »

Green-Washing At Blue Cross

ProJo columnist Edward Fitzpatrick casts a gimlet eye on the new biodegradable/compostable/recyclable Blue Cross office building and sees right through to the fancy new offices, cafeteria and gym with their sweeping views of Waterplace Park and beyond. The costs of this new building are apparently to be borne by the direct payers, subscribers with no …

Green-Washing At Blue Cross Read More »

Providence Daily Dose