Health insurance premiums going up because of health reform???

[Raven]

A friend of mine told me that her health insurance advisor told her that Harvard Pilgrim's health insurance premiums were going to rise by 36% because of mandated preventative care provisions of health care reform. I've checked snopes and other fact checking sites and can't find anything on this. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[FormerDittoHead]

1. Problem is that it isn't her old plan, it's (PROBABLY) a whole new plan...

Health insurance plans go year to year, even month to month.

The terms can be changed when the policy is renewed.

THIS IS WHY SINGLE PAYER IS THE ANSWER - THIS IS WHY IT WORKS.

[fivepennies]

2. No

premiums are going up because Insurance companies are after the last red cent. They'll lie, cheat and steal to get it. IMHO

[uppityperson]

6. Exactly. They have been going up every yr for yrs. I've heard people say they don't use theirs

because they don't want the rates to raise. Asking if they raise anyway typically gets a positive answer. Insurance companies exist for one reason only. To make money.

[fivepennies]

8. And exclusions

deny deny deny. What, you didn't fall out of a flying saucer at 50 feet? Sorry we don't cover anything but that.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. My monthly premium went up over 100% for the next term.

Could be Blue Cross wants to get locked in at a higher rate than a lower rate when reform takes effect.

[gateley]

4. I'd like to see a Town Hall Meeting where someone stood up

and said this to Obama. I just can't imagine how he could justify it. The giving too much (although I understand a lot of good was gained, too) may come back and bite him on the ass.

Wonder why the Repubs want to appeal "Obama Care"? Their Insurance pals are going to reap benefits.

[LiberalAndProud]

5. Would you expect that the advisor would tell her that they went up because of Ins Co greed?

No, neither would I. It's a convenient excuse for gouging the customer. They've been doing that for years now.

[Raven]

9. No and I pointed that out to her as well as the $$$ insurance

executives rake in as well as the fact that preventing disease is a lot cheaper that treating it. I was just wondering if there was a mandate in health reform that would cause such an increase in premiums.

[LiberalAndProud]

11. It has been my experience that all my ins agents are Republicans.

That is likely a product of where I live. However, when my husband was job hunting years ago, he applied for an insurance sales position. They administered a personality test. He didn't pass. There is a specific outlook, evidently, that you need to have in order to be successful in that career.

[Schema Thing]

10. +1

[KittyWampus]

7. My insurance goes up about $100/month every few years. Now they just use an excuse

[ellenfl]

12. her premium will go up with or without the law. they always do. eom