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

[Cheryl Handsaker]

In this context HSA = MBA. They are the same organization located in Braintree, MA. Both work with Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations to provide group health insurance packages and rates to the self-employed. 

The SFABA is a great bargain at at $115/year compared to most Chamber rates :-). 

----------------------
  Charlemont Web Works
  Web Application Development, Web Maintenance and Joomla! sites

--- On Fri, 8/27/10, Karen Ribeiro <karen at innerfortune.com> wrote:

From: Karen Ribeiro <karen at innerfortune.com>
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] 25% Hike for MA Small Business Health Insurance Rates
To: "'hidden-discuss'" <Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
Date: Friday, August 27, 2010, 9:53 AM

   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
   ** If you did, we all thank you.





 
 







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.  “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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