[Hidden-tech] 25% Hike for MA Small Business Health Insurance Rates

[Roy A Cohen]

Well, I guess the rest are catching up with my Fallon increase from last 
year, which was on the order of 30%!

The situation is totally out of control.

Fallon seems to be the least expensive premium-wise, but you will have 
higher copays and Rx.

They at least also try to cover the whole self with discounted dental 
(provided you use the dentists enrolled in Fallon) included in the plans.

Cheers,

-Roy

On 08/25/2010 01:58 PM, Christine Pilch wrote:
>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>    
>
>
> Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your small business health 
> insurance rates are going up about 25%, effective September 1 for 
> many. I received my letter from Blue Cross this morning, and yours is 
> certainly coming soon.
>
> By means of background. A few months ago the MA Division of Insurance 
> froze rates at 2009 levels while they investigated unfair increases in 
> premiums that health insurers were forcing on their customers. 
> "Responding directly to concerns raised by the small business 
> community, Governor Deval Patrick directed the Division of Insurance 
> to investigate potential solutions to escalating premiums. The 
> Division will hold hearings to examine small business premium 
> increases, focusing specifically on work insurers are currently doing 
> to reduce costs and future steps that may be necessary to eliminate 
> the substantial increases impacting the small-group market." This is 
> from the Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation page on the 
> Commonwealth's website: http://tinyurl.com/5st2p9
>
> Many of us small business owners rejoiced, believing that we finally 
> had an advocate. I had received a 25% quoted increase in my premium 
> from Blue Cross in April, and the DOI freeze forced Blue Cross to hold 
> my 2009 rate, adjusted to my increased age, effective in May.
>
> Unfortunately, ultimately the DOI did little on our behalf. My rates 
> have increased annually an average of 17% since 2007, and today's 
> letter represents a 25% hike for my premium.
>
> So, I'm looking for affordable options to Blue Cross. Health New 
> England won't insure the self employed, and the only other company 
> I've found is Fallon. What company are you using for your health 
> insurance coverage? Ideas?
>
> Thanks for any guidance you can offer.
>
> Best regards,
>
> - Christine Pilch
>
> /Miracle Growth for your Company/
>
> Grow My Company
>
> 68 Dugan Road
>
> Ware, MA, 01082
>
> 413.537.2474
>
> Christine at GrowMyCo.com <mailto:Christine at GrowMyCo.com>
>
> http://growmyco.com <http://growmyco.typepad.com/company/>
>
> Connect: Linkedin <http://www.linkedin.com/in/christinepilch> Facebook 
> <http://www.facebook.com/growmycompany> Twitter 
> <http://twitter.com/ChristinePilch> 
> <http://www.youtube.com/user/christinepilch>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members


-- 
413-223-9007 opt 1
www.net-vantage.com

Our Mission:

"Providing the same technology advantages enjoyed by large
organizations to small and medium-sized businesses, professional
practices, schools, and non-profits, at a realistic and practical
cost."

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20100825/8f557605/attachment-0001.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/png
Size: 24830 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20100825/8f557605/attachment-0005.png 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/png
Size: 655 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20100825/8f557605/attachment-0006.png 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/png
Size: 258 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20100825/8f557605/attachment-0007.png 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/png
Size: 570 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20100825/8f557605/attachment-0008.png 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/png
Size: 754 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20100825/8f557605/attachment-0009.png