Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sunshine for health insurance


A fledgling group called the Idaho Main Street Alliance wants one of the state's largest health insurance companies to justify insurance premium hikes.

Regence BlueShield, a private nonprofit, isn't required to explain what's driving its rates to the public or to its customers. Although some other states require insurers to reveal rate information and to take public comment on rates before they can go forward, Idaho does not.

The Main Street Alliance is also set to meet with the Idaho Department of Insurance to discuss public disclosure.

The group's mission—to put the spotlight on what's driving health care costs—is the right move at the right time.

The group points out that half of all Idahoans work for companies with fewer than 50 employees. The companies are being hit hard this year with double digit increases in health insurance premiums in an economy where revenues for most companies are either static or shrinking.

That leaves the companies with the distasteful options of forcing employees to pay a larger share or cutting or eliminating health insurance.

If employees do not pay for insurance themselves, any major medical crisis can turn into a financial nightmare for their families. Or, in a severely negative feedback loop, the cost of treatment will be shifted back onto the premiums of ratepayers or onto taxpayers that pick up the tab for indigent health care.

If Idaho's health insurance companies refuse to explain what's driving rates, the Idaho's Legislature should demand it with sunshine laws that require disclosure.




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