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

[Lynne Rudié]

I had HNE for quite a few years--they have a small business group  
rate. If your income qualifies you can get a subsidy from the  
insurance partnership to offset the cost of HNE.
	Lynne



On Aug 25, 2010, at 6:28 PM, Marcia Yudkin wrote:

>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's  
> area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
> Christine,
>
> I don't think it's true that HNE won't insure the self-employed.  I  
> use Harvard Pilgrim through a third-party system called HSA (=Health  
> Services Alliance??) and I could swear there was an HNE option among  
> others, the last time I had the option of switching.
>
> Look it up here:
> http://www.hsainsurance.com/
>
> Marcia Yudkin
> Goshen
>
> --- On Wed, 8/25/10, Christine Pilch <Christine at GrowMyCo.com> wrote:
>
> From: Christine Pilch <Christine at GrowMyCo.com>
> Subject: [Hidden-tech] 25% Hike for MA Small Business Health  
> Insurance Rates
> To: "'hidden-discuss'" <Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
> Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 1:58 PM
>
>    ** 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
>
>
>
>
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