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

[Marcia Yudkin]

Sorry, there is some confusion here.

HSA is a company in Braintree that administers health plans.  It has nothing to do with Health Savings Accounts.

Marcia Yudkin
Goshen


   





From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Karen
Ribeiro

Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 9:54 AM

To: 'hidden-discuss'

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





   

In order to take advantage of the very beneficial HSA (Health
Savings Account) option, you have to be covered by an insurance policy with a
high deductible. (individual = $1150, family = $2300). http://www.irs.gov/publications/p969/index.html
 

   

 

Karen Ribeiro 

413-265-3892 (c) 

http://www.linkedin.com/in/karenribeiro
 

   

   



From:
hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Marcia
Yudkin

Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 6:28 PM

To: 'hidden-discuss'

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



   


 
  
  

  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.  ├вт‚м┼“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.├вт‚м┬Э This is from the Consumer
  Affairs and Business Regulation page on the Commonwealth├вт‚мт„вs
  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├вт‚мт„вs letter represents a 25% hike for
  my premium. 
    
  So, I├вт‚мт„вm looking for
  affordable options to Blue Cross. Health New England won├вт‚мт„вt
  insure the self employed, and the only other company I├вт‚мт„вve
  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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