Regence Blue Shield going for the big ripoff (again)

[PSPS]

So I got a notice in the mail today from Regence telling me my monthly premium is going to shoot up over 32% starting next month. This is for an individual policy since I'm self-employed. And this is already for their highest deductible plan (any plan with "normal" benefits is priced only for the 1%,) so I've never garnered any benefit from the plan in all the years I've had it. I have paid for everything I've ever needed under this plan since the deductible is so high and it has no prescription coverage.

According to the Insurance Commission's website, Regence in Washington is sitting on $1 billion in surplus cash. Yet they approved the increase.

Such is life in a corrupted system.

[wordpix]

1. +1000, self-employed also, have high deductible, get 0 unless I'm hospitalized - class lawsuit time!

The only thing I can think of is write our congressmen (but they're bought off) and the company (not that they care), and let them know we're going to be their worst nightmare.

Not sure on what basis we could sue (theft?) but if there is one, I will go in with you on a class lawsuit if we could get a critical mass. My policy went up 25% last year and I didn't cost BCBS a thing.

[KT2000]

2. At the least, write Kreidler

and get an explanation for why he allowed the increase while they have the surplus. You deserve an answer.
Then call all the tv stations and the Times and PI and try to get them to get an answer for you.
Yours should be a story featured on the news - how many people with your high deductilbe, individual plans have actually used their insurance? How much are they raking in on these plans?

I used to have individual insurance (Regence) as I was self employed too. it was a nightmare - I had a reasonable deductilbe but they usually found a reason to not cover something and gave me the runaround.
When I went broke I was able to go on Basic Health and it is a world of difference - because I am part of a group plan.

They really do abuse the individual policy holder.

[hollysmom]

3. it really started going down hill when BC/BS were allowed to change from Non-profit.

until I went on medicare, I was paying almost 800 a month for insurance.

[eridani]

4. Drop an email to Kreidler about it

I'll bring this up at the next Health Care for All-WA board meeting.

[Ron Obvious]

5. I just received the same notice

I just received the same notice, and I'm absolutely fuming. The talk here on DU over the past few weeks was all about how the ACA was leading to refunds, and to make sure your employer wasn't going to be pocketing all of it.

What a slap in the face. We had a rate increase of 35% just a couple of years ago because the ACA lifted the lifetime benefit cap (Obama being mentioned specifically by name in the notice), and now this.

We may have to look into a medical savings account if such a thing exists in this state. 12 years ago BCBS was literally our only option in the private insurance market.

Insanity.

[quiller4]

6. I, too, buy individual coverage in Washington

I switched my coverage to Lifewise several years ago. I carry a very high deductible policy but much preventive care is exempt from the deductible. When I checked online Lifewise sold the least expensive individual plans in the state. My coverage still is far from cheap. I am a 61 year old female with several chronic health problems.

[mindyh70]

7. Another individual Washington Coverage Policy Holder

I also am self-employed and just got my increase notice from Regence. This is on top of the increase six months ago. I'm in the highest deductible of plans, never use it beyond preventive care, and I'm paying a couple hundred a month. I contacted Patty Murrary and got a standard, "This is the way health care is, and isn't it great to have coverage for everyone?" No, it is not great. You're asking the self-employed, individual policy holders to pay for everyone to have coverage.

Ironically, I visit Oregon quite a bit and typed in a zip code where I visit. I got a list of plans with a lot more coverage for a less money.

What's the story Washington State?