Health stories in the news
Regence BlueShield boosts premiums 17 percent
Regence BlueShield will raise premiums for 135,000 individual health-plan members in Washington by an average 17 percent on Aug. 1, Seattle Times health reporter Kyung Song writes in today’s paper.
“It is the third consecutive year that the state’s largest provider of individual coverage has boosted rates by double digits. And it comes after two other insurers, Group Health Cooperative and LifeWise Health Plan of Washington, recently imposed similarly steep premium increases.”
To learn more:
- Read Kyung Song’s article: Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Visit Regence BlueShield’s Web site.
Higher health costs for Washington state employees, too
Public Employees Benefits Board has voted to require higher co-payments and deductibles for the 36,000 state employees, teachers, retirees and their dependents covered through the Health Care Authority, the Associated Press reports.
“Some copays and deductibles could double. Monthly premiums for the state’s most popular plan, Uniform Medical, increase from $82 to $123 for full family coverage. Premiums for some plans, including Group Health Classic and Group Health Value, drop, but those plans see new or higher deductibles in 2010.”
To learn more:
- Read the AP story: Health costs going up for state employees.
- Visit the Public Employees Benefits Board’s Web site and read the Board’s decision.
Local Resources:
- Children’s Health Program (for non-citizens, visitors, undocumented): http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/chip
- TRICARE (military insurance, families, retired, etc.): www.tricare.osd.mil
- Washington’s Apple Health for Kids (insurance assistance): http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/applehealth/
- Washington Basic Health (insurance assistance): www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov/understanding.shtml
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner: www.insurance.wa.gov
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