Sick of Anthem and Mega Raising Your Rates? Join Us at Upcoming Public Hearings & Speak out about It!

Mega Life and Health Insurance and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield want to raise their rates again.  But if you have something to say about it-- speaking out may make a difference.  There are several public hearings coming up on the issue (listed below) and if you can't make any of them, you can write your opinion about it to the Bureau of Insurance (address below).

Mega is asking the Bureau of Insurance to allow them to raise rates an average of 21% on its small groups policies with maximum increases of 33%.  It's asking for increases up to 25% on individual policies with average increases of 12.5%.  These increases would affect nearly 8,000 policy holders.  They are set to take effect April 1, 2010. 

Anthem wants to raise its rates for people who buy their own insurance too.   Average proposed increases for HealthChoice, HealthChoice Standard and Basic, and Lumenos Consumer Directed Health Plan products about 23%.  At least 11,000 policy holders will be affected by these rate hikes.  Anthem requests that its proposed rate revisions become effective on July 1, 2010.

Dates of public hearings around the state and contact information for the Bureau of Insurance is below.

For Both Mega and Anthem:

Location:  Portland

Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Sq., Maine Lobby Room

Date:  February 22, 2010

Time:  beginning at 4:00 PM

  

Location:  Bangor

1 College Circle, Husson University @ Libra Lecture Hall Date:  February 24, 2010

Time:  beginning at 4:00 PM

For Mega Only:

Location: Gardiner

76 Northern Avenue, Central Conference Room, Department of Professional and Financial Regulation

Date: February 25 and 26, 2010

Time: beginning at 9:00 AM

  

For Anthem Only:

NOTE: Bureau says this may be rescheduled.  We will keep you posted.

Location: Gardiner

76 Northern Avenue, Central Conference Room, Department of Professional and Financial Regulation

Date: April 8, 2010

Time: beginning at 9:00 AM

Comments may also be provided for the Superintendent of Insurance's consideration in these matters as follows:

B

y e-mail:

Pat.Galouch@maine.gov

By U.S. Mail:

Superintendent of Insurance
Attn: Pat Galouch (INS-09-1002)
34 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333

Don't Let Insurers Make More Record Profits Off of Us!

If you'd like to testify at the public comment sessions or write a letter of testimony, but feel you could use some help, feel free to contact Cherilee at Consumers for Affordable Health Care.  She might be able to give you a hand.

Thank you for helping us step closer to quality, affordable health care for all Maine people.