Anthem Blue Cross Sued Over Hikes In Health Plans

WELLPOINT INC'S California subsidiary Anthem Blue Cross is in the news for initiating huge rate hikes in its health coverage plans, which has compelled the policyholders of Anthem Blue Cross to file a lawsuit against the company.

The objective of the rate hike was apparently to impose a lower benefit health coverage fore the patients, which actually violates state laws. Anthe, Blue cross is discontinuing certain insurance plans, which is against the California laws. California law clearly states that once a health insurer closes a specific health policy, it requires offering another policy which has comparable coverage, or reduce the premium increases on the closed policy.

Anthem Blue Cross is in the news for initiating huge rate hikes in its health coverage plans, which has compelled the policyholders of Anthem Blue Cross to file a lawsuit against the company.

Anthem, which is owned by WellPoint Inc., has come under state and federal scrutiny for hiking the rates of its 800,000 individual policyholders, or those not covered through a group plan, by as much as 39 percent. The increases were scheduled to take effect Monday, but the company agreed to delay them until May 1 to allow the state time to investigate.California authorities have little power over rates, but Consumer Watchdog's lawsuit relies on a 1993 state law that requires an insurer to offer enrollees a comparable alternative plan. The lawsuit comes on the heels of government scrutiny of a steep Anthem Blue Cross rate hike for roughly 700,000 individual policyholders in California. The hikes average 25 percent some premiums will rise as much as 39 percent but implementation of the hike has been delayed until May 1 while a state regulator investigates.

Mary Feller, one of the plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit said Blue Cross has a gun to our heads. My husband and I got a letter in the mail from Blue Cross telling us that they were closing our policy. "We could either stay with our old coverage or switch to a new policy with much lower benefits. What Blue Cross did not tell us was that staying with our better policy would mean a 39 per cent rate increase." n the suit, which was filed in Ventura County, said she had to do something after Anthem last month proposed raising rates on the policy covering her and her husband nearly 39 percent to $1,658 a month.

About the Author:
This is Merinews Network,its india's first citizen journalism based news website. We have many news articles on Health Insurance Plans and Skin Care Tips.

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Tags: Health Insurance Plans

, Skin Care Tips

, Health Care News

Related....

Videos...

Recent Health Articles

Where You Can Find Help For Alcohol Addiction By: Teodora Atanasoff | May 28th 2012 - In this article, alcoholics can find information that clarifies what it is about when enduring alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Help For Alcoholism

Help For Alcoholics

Alcoholism Help

Help For Alcohol Addiction

Help For Alcohol Abuse

The Risks Of Atrial Fibrillation And How To Manage Them By: WakeForest | May 28th 2012 - Treating atrial fibrillation can be difficult. Cardiologists at Wake Forest health offer top-notch care to patients with afib.

afib

Health Is Always A Wealth By: Ryan roger | May 28th 2012 - There are various methods to treat ones illness. These programs are endowed to meet the requirement of the patients wellness and increase the quali ...

Chiropractic Massage

Chiropractic Massage Therapy

Fat Transfer For Shapely, Curvaceous Buttocks By: Aaron Rollison | May 28th 2012 - Liposuction and fat transfer are two procedures that offer great body contouring opportunities. If administered by experienced surgeons, fat transfer ...

SmartLipo triplex liposuction

Elderly Care "�" The Live In Option By: Jamed Callaway | May 28th 2012 - The stress of moving to a residential care home can often exasperate their illness. They worry about losing independence, being lonely, being abandone ...

live in care

respite care

Using Perfect Supplements Perfect African Mango By: Vikram Kumar | May 28th 2012 - There are many natural products out there and to learn which is the right one for you, it is necessary to take a look at what you want to achieve and ...

Perfect Supplements Perfect African Mango

Genf20 Plus

Wake Up To The Power Of Kollagen Intensiv By: Vikram Kumar | May 28th 2012 - If you are looking for skin care as well as hair care, then you need to make sure that you seek out information about Kollagen Intensiv.

EMllPOWER African Mango RASPBERRY KETONES

Kollagen Intensiv

Why Join An Online Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Forum? "�" A Few Advantages By: Ryanfer | May 28th 2012 - Enrolling in any of the several online OCD forums will help you triumph over your feelings of loneliness and frustration, and bond with other OCD affe ...

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Forum

OCD Forums

OCD Stories

The Primary Advantages Of Competent Abortion Clinics By: Byron Dyson | May 28th 2012 - An overview on abortion clinics

abortion

health

obgyn

How To Lose Weight Without Ever Leaving Your House By: Winston Takeda | May 28th 2012 - Most people would love to lose a few pounds. In this article, you'll find some easy ways to do it in the comfort of your own home.

exercises for weight loss

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Site Navigation: