Anthem Blue Cross raises premiums 39%

[blu]

Stop stealing 1/3rd of our paycheck to pay for your pet programs and we would be in alot better shape.

So Avatar, what are your thoughts of Blue Cross raising their premiums that high? Just another "day at the office?" Do you think it's "fair?" I know I am tired of my paycheck going DOWN every single year, because my insurance rates go up every year, even with an HMO.
But I pay it, and use it when my daughter or I get sick, so I'm happy to have that option even though it costs so much money.

I think if government gets out of the insurance industry you would see prices a lot cheaper.

However, I dont think anyone is entitled to anything in this world except life and liberty. Everything else has to be earned through hard work. Sometimes we have to sacrifice the things we want for the things that are vital. There are risks in life. It's just something we have to live with.

Tort Reform and interstate competition will do far more to drive the prices down than anything the current administration or people such as Zona will ever do.

I almost took you serious until I saw tort reform. its a red herring by people who are extremely uninformed.

are you going to be content when all health ins companies raises their prices together as they have done over the last 5-10 years? are you willing to pay 30k a year for health insurance because thats the path its going down

 

[blu]

I have Blud Cross Blue Shield here in Georgia. My policy went up 20%. My wife is a top tennis player and I am in great shape at age 54. NO prescriptions at all and workout weekly.
13 years ago my policy was $2500 a year. 6 1/2 years ago it was 5K a year. This yearit will be 13K.
In 6 1/2years it will be 26K and in 13 years my health premium will be 52K.
Fifty Two thousand dollars a year in 2023 for my health care policy.
And folks claim this is a great country for health care.
What a friggin myth that is.

the gop jackasses cheer this as capitalism working

 

[blu]

Then purchase a policy with a different company that's cheaper. Problem solved.

If only the Democrats would let people purchase insurance from other States, then there would be true competition and cost containment.

But they're not about to allow that. So sad for America.

it still wouldn't help. companies would collude like they do with car insurance. they only care about increasing profits and will do what it takes to keep that

 

[blu]

If only the Democrats would let people purchase insurance from other States, then there would be true competition and cost containment.

But they're not about to allow that. So sad for America.

When the republicans were in full power of the house, senate, and whitehouse or for the 12 years they controlled the house and senate...NOT ONCE did they try to change the law that allowed insurance companies to be exempt from antitrust laws.....NOT ONCE....wile every year under bush, we had a near double digit price hike for our insurance.

BOTH SIDES are at fault on this....

so pleaseeeeee SPARE ME on the political jargon of what the democrats should do to save us

The Republicans were smart not to touch health care while they were in control; most people are happy with their insurance coverage as it is. Ultimately, the Progressives (Democrats) want the United States to have a socialist universal health care plan that would destroy what we currently have. Their "solution" would have done exactly that. The Public Option was a compromise but the ultimate result would have put all insurance companies out of business, put all health care coverage under the Government and taken away my choice for health care.

are you going to be happy when you are paying 30k a year within the next decade? that is where the current rates will get us. the republicans didn't touch it because they are paid off well by health insurance companies plain and simple

 

[Political Junky]

Health insurance is a scam.

I dropped mine years ago.

No wonder you are so eager for everyone else to pay for your coverage.

You, like most cons, aren't paying attention. Government isn't going to pay for healthcare...that was never part of any plan.

 

[Political Junky]

Then purchase a policy with a different company that's cheaper. Problem solved.

If only the Democrats would let people purchase insurance from other States, then there would be true competition and cost containment.

But they're not about to allow that. So sad for America.

It's in the Senate bill, but apparently no cons have read it.
That, and tort reform, are their biggest talking points. Suits cost about half of one per cent of medical costs.

 

[uscitizen]

The Republicans want to give me the right to tell my insurance company in Iowa to get bent while I go buy insurance that is capped by the insurance laws of Georgia. Pretty soon my Iowa insurance company will lower their rates if they want my business.

Why Progressives are against that is unfathomable. Maybe they don't want me to shop around so they can force Universal Health Care coverage on me and their idea of socialism? Answer me this, Progressives, why wouldn't you want the right to buy insurance from whereever it is cheapest?

You miss the point. A permium may be capped in GA but one sold in KY by the same company might not be capped because KY laws are different.

Interstate commerce laws prevent GA from regulating a business in another state.

I haven't missed the "point". Who really cares that GA can't regulate a business in Iowa? The point is that as an Iowan, I want to buy the insurance that is offered in Georgia and I can't unless I move there. Because of that, my Iowa based insurance company can charge me whatever the hell it wants. That is exactly what happened to the people of California; Anthem raised their rates 39% with impunity. Anthem would think twice if their customers all switched to BCBS in Georgia.

I lived in KY and bought BCBS from GA. Perhaps you need to complain about Iowa laws instead for federal ones.

 

[editec]

Anthem Blue Cross customers got a shock this week when the health insurer informed thousands of individual policyholders that their premium rates will jump as much as 39 percent on March 1.


"There aren't any other parts of our society where people have no regard for inflation rate and increase their prices this much. I can't imagine anything in the world that's going up 39 percent," said Josh Libresco, 54, of San Rafael, as he grappled with the news that his family premium will go from $858 per month to $1,192 - and that's with a $5,000 deductible.

Anthem Blue Cross raises premiums

Well...you can still purchase the best health care in the world, only this year the price is 139% of what it cost last year.

No problem for real Americans cause Ya'll made 39% more this year than last year, right?

But hey, we don't need to fix no stinkin' socialized health care.

The invisible dope-slap of the market is working to our advantage with every blow.

 

[Care4all]

You miss the point. A permium may be capped in GA but one sold in KY by the same company might not be capped because KY laws are different.

Interstate commerce laws prevent GA from regulating a business in another state.

I haven't missed the "point". Who really cares that GA can't regulate a business in Iowa? The point is that as an Iowan, I want to buy the insurance that is offered in Georgia and I can't unless I move there. Because of that, my Iowa based insurance company can charge me whatever the hell it wants. That is exactly what happened to the people of California; Anthem raised their rates 39% with impunity. Anthem would think twice if their customers all switched to BCBS in Georgia.

I lived in KY and bought BCBS from GA. Perhaps you need to complain about Iowa laws instead for federal ones.

Good Point! It IS THE STATES that determine whether one can cross their state line for insurance....people seem to forget this... I'm sure it is more complicated than just saying, YES, but obviously some states figured it out and allows such to occur.

 

[uscitizen]

I haven't missed the "point". Who really cares that GA can't regulate a business in Iowa? The point is that as an Iowan, I want to buy the insurance that is offered in Georgia and I can't unless I move there. Because of that, my Iowa based insurance company can charge me whatever the hell it wants. That is exactly what happened to the people of California; Anthem raised their rates 39% with impunity. Anthem would think twice if their customers all switched to BCBS in Georgia.

I lived in KY and bought BCBS from GA. Perhaps you need to complain about Iowa laws instead for federal ones.

Good Point! It IS THE STATES that determine whether one can cross their state line for insurance....people seem to forget this... I'm sure it is more complicated than just saying, YES, but obviously some states figured it out and allows such to occur.

Yep, but what many are being led towards is getting the feds to overrule the states on how they run insurance in their states. ie bigger federal govt not smaller.
I do not think this will wind up benefitting anyone except the insurance companies.

 

[AvgGuyIA]

Then purchase a policy with a different company that's cheaper. Problem solved.

If only the Democrats would let people purchase insurance from other States, then there would be true competition and cost containment.

But they're not about to allow that. So sad for America.

It's in the Senate bill, but apparently no cons have read it.
That, and tort reform, are their biggest talking points. Suits cost about half of one per cent of medical costs.

You're playing with numbers. Suits are in the penalty phase; we're talking about the cost of protection insurance. If you were being honest you'd admit that's a hell of a lot more than "half of one per cent" of a doctor's cost of doing business.

 

[AvgGuyIA]

Anthem Blue Cross customers got a shock this week when the health insurer informed thousands of individual policyholders that their premium rates will jump as much as 39 percent on March 1.


"There aren't any other parts of our society where people have no regard for inflation rate and increase their prices this much. I can't imagine anything in the world that's going up 39 percent," said Josh Libresco, 54, of San Rafael, as he grappled with the news that his family premium will go from $858 per month to $1,192 - and that's with a $5,000 deductible.

Anthem Blue Cross raises premiums

Well...you can still purchase the best health care in the world, only this year the price is 139% of what it cost last year.

No problem for real Americans cause Ya'll made 39% more this year than last year, right?

But hey, we don't need to fix no stinkin' socialized health care.

The invisible dope-slap of the market is working to our advantage with every blow.

That 39% increase only applies to Californians with Anthem policies. Let the Libresco's purchase insurance from Iowa. This is not rocket science folks. Admit that you don't give a shit about what people have to pay for insurance; you just want universal health care so that those who are working will pay for those who won't.

 

[uscitizen]

If only the Democrats would let people purchase insurance from other States, then there would be true competition and cost containment.

But they're not about to allow that. So sad for America.

It's in the Senate bill, but apparently no cons have read it.
That, and tort reform, are their biggest talking points. Suits cost about half of one per cent of medical costs.

You're playing with numbers. Suits are in the penalty phase; we're talking about the cost of protection insurance. If you were being honest you'd admit that's a hell of a lot more than "half of one per cent" of a doctor's cost of doing business.

so Dr's pay to much for insurance?

I guess they get ripped off just like we patients do?

 

[uscitizen]

Anthem Blue Cross customers got a shock this week when the health insurer informed thousands of individual policyholders that their premium rates will jump as much as 39 percent on March 1.


"There aren't any other parts of our society where people have no regard for inflation rate and increase their prices this much. I can't imagine anything in the world that's going up 39 percent," said Josh Libresco, 54, of San Rafael, as he grappled with the news that his family premium will go from $858 per month to $1,192 - and that's with a $5,000 deductible.

Anthem Blue Cross raises premiums

Well...you can still purchase the best health care in the world, only this year the price is 139% of what it cost last year.

No problem for real Americans cause Ya'll made 39% more this year than last year, right?

But hey, we don't need to fix no stinkin' socialized health care.

The invisible dope-slap of the market is working to our advantage with every blow.

That 39% increase only applies to Californians with Anthem policies. Let the Libresco's purchase insurance from Iowa. This is not rocket science folks. Admit that you don't give a shit about what people have to pay for insurance; you just want universal health care so that those who are working will pay for those who won't.

So do CA or Iowa have laws preventing those from CA from buying IA health insurance?
If so is it state or federal laws?

 

[AvgGuyIA]

It's in the Senate bill, but apparently no cons have read it.
That, and tort reform, are their biggest talking points. Suits cost about half of one per cent of medical costs.

You're playing with numbers. Suits are in the penalty phase; we're talking about the cost of protection insurance. If you were being honest you'd admit that's a hell of a lot more than "half of one per cent" of a doctor's cost of doing business.

so Dr's pay to much for insurance?

I guess they get ripped off just like we patients do?

Yep. Thanks to the trial Lawyers.

 

[Mr.Fitnah]

Im a group member of Anthem BC/BS.
My rates have not gone up . Most peoples wont , very few people are individual policyholders .

 

[Care4all]

capping lawsuits in the favor of the business, IS BIG FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERFERING with the free market. BUT repubs don't seem to mid this.???

 

[Charles Stucker]

capping lawsuits in the favor of the business, IS BIG FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERFERING with the free market. BUT repubs don't seem to mid this.???

Tort reform - changing the way Liability Laws work is always part of government. Without any laws regulating malpractice liability a doctor could kill every single patient they saw and nothing could be done. However, if a patient can sue the doctor because they cannot walk after going to the doctor with a mangled foot that could not be saved, then something is wrong in the other direction.
Malpractice insurance is one of the biggest contributors to the expense of medical care, and the one most amenable to reduction by government regulatory changes, so yes I am OK with changes in tort laws which restrict the ability of attorneys to profit from others misfortune.
I used attorney deliberately as the ambulance chasers ARE a problem and I have no sympathy for them.

 

[blu]

If only the Democrats would let people purchase insurance from other States, then there would be true competition and cost containment.

But they're not about to allow that. So sad for America.

It's in the Senate bill, but apparently no cons have read it.
That, and tort reform, are their biggest talking points. Suits cost about half of one per cent of medical costs.

You're playing with numbers. Suits are in the penalty phase; we're talking about the cost of protection insurance. If you were being honest you'd admit that's a hell of a lot more than "half of one per cent" of a doctor's cost of doing business.

I wish we could get real numbers on doctors not performing surgeries due to being scared or performing surgeries unnecessarily to cover their ass in case the patient goes south

 

[Care4all]

capping lawsuits in the favor of the business, IS BIG FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERFERING with the free market. BUT repubs don't seem to mid this.???

Tort reform - changing the way Liability Laws work is always part of government. Without any laws regulating malpractice liability a doctor could kill every single patient they saw and nothing could be done. However, if a patient can sue the doctor because they cannot walk after going to the doctor with a mangled foot that could not be saved, then something is wrong in the other direction.
Malpractice insurance is one of the biggest contributors to the expense of medical care, and the one most amenable to reduction by government regulatory changes, so yes I am OK with changes in tort laws which restrict the ability of attorneys to profit from others misfortune.
I used attorney deliberately as the ambulance chasers ARE a problem and I have no sympathy for them.

This is something each State can do on their own if they deem it.

It is NOT CONSTITUTIONAL for the Federal government to get involved, imho.

the Federal government is suppose to ensure the court system and the judges, and not give deference and favor to some over others when it comes to malpractice suits.

you might want to check the States that have instituted a cap on lawsuits for malpractice to see if IT WORKED to LOWER their health care costs....YOU WILL FIND that it hasn't done a single thing to reduce costs....it is wasteful legislation.

The problem lies with Doctors themselves and the self regulating that they do.

I have read that 80% of all law suits, come from 10% of the doctors who committed malpractice....the other 90% of Doctors are paying high, very high malpractice insurance to keep these other lousy doctors in business...some of them have as many as 10 malpractice suits and have NEVER BEEN REMOVED from their jobs...just censured at the most.

THIS is a huge problem, the problem that leads malpractice insurance being so high for Doctors that will go their entire lives without committing malpractice.

We have the right to address grievances in this land of the free....interference for the favor of one over another by our federal government is inherently unfair imho.