Anthem Increases in California – Close to 39%

Individual plan members have been sent letters advising of the increase. Anthem Blue Cross still states they have not made any profits on individual policies and thus we have another increase coming. Last year rates increased by 14% after a debate and retraction of the original higher proposed increases. In addition some policies will have higher co-pay amounts and deductibles. Some consumers will be paying over $1000 a month for coverage of husband and wife. BD

It’s déjà vu all over again—almost a year ago exactly Anthem, the California division of Blue Cross health insurers, proposed raising rates on individual policy holders by as much as 39%. That rate increase was stalled and eventually scaled back due to mathematical inaccuracies in Anthem’s rate filings, as pointed out by the California Insurance Commissioners office. This time around Anthem has notified its individual plan holders that rates will be going up effective May 1, creating a cumulative rise in rates in excess of 40% for some consumers in less than a year.