Covered California's small group health program for business will see an average premium increase of just under 6 percent in 2017, the state Obamacare operation said. The exchange is bringing "choice, stability and rate moderation to employers, their employees and the many consumers who don't have employer-based coverage," Covered California chief Peter Lee said in announcing the average rates and program expansions. "The options ... (More)
Enrollment privacy bill signed
August 20, 2016 Leave a Comment
California's Obamacare customers who don't complete their application forms won't be hearing from insurance agents in the future, as the governor signed a bill that bars sharing of their data with private companies. Sponsor state Sen. Joel Anderson's statement about the signing said: "Before this bill, Covered California shared consumers' personal information with private companies without permission due to a security loophole, ... (More)
Covered Cal rates up 13 percent
July 19, 2016 Leave a Comment
Covered California officials are scrambling to put a positive spin on rate hikes for 2017 that should average more than 13 percent. Executive Director Peter Lee talked up the "power of shopping," claiming, "Almost 80 percent of our consumers will either be able to pay less than they are paying now, or see their rates go up by no more than 5 percent, if they shop and buy the lowest-cost plan at their same benefit level." The ... (More)
11 health insurers set for ’17
July 19, 2016 Leave a Comment
California's private insurance marketplace under Obamacare confirmed the 11 companies set to participate in 2017. Almost all consumers in California (92.6 percent) will be able to choose from three or more carriers, the state Obamacare operation said, and all will have at least two to select from. More than 93 percent of state hospitals will be available through at least one Covered California health insurance company in 2017, ... (More)
Provider lists slammed in report
July 8, 2016 Leave a Comment
Provider directories for some health plans sold through Covered California and in the private market are so inaccurate that they create an "awful" situation for consumers trying to find doctors, according to the lead author of a new study published in the journal Health Affairs. In the study, "secret shoppers" posing as patients were able to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician less than 30 percent of the ... (More)
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