Google Answers: NEED 3/13: Insurance co.s most & least likely to HIKE rates after a diagnosis

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Q: NEED 3/13: Insurance co.s most & least likely to HIKE rates after a diagnosis ( No Answer, 0 Comments )

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Subject: NEED 3/13: Insurance co.s most & least likely to HIKE rates after a diagnosis
Category: Health
Asked by: 4u2do-ga
List Price: $75.00

Posted: 11 Mar 2003 12:50 PST
Expires: 10 Apr 2003 13:50 PDT
Question ID: 174778

NOTE: As this is kind of a specialized emergency, I ask that anyone reading this who is uniquely experienced/qualified to answer it please post that fact. Or, if researchers decide together in such cases, decide and proceed. (All comments encouraged too!!) I need an answer by Thursday afternoon, 03/13, as I have to commit by then. Otherwise, all else being equal: PALAFALA: As I was told a tip can’t be left when a question is canceled, and it was suggested that instead I could submit a new question to you, here goes. I want to identify which large/established health insurance carriers have the best and worst track records on the following count: having shown themselves to be most or least likely to slap large/huge rate increases on an existing member/client – at the next permissible rate review - after that member gets diagnosed for the first time with an illness that may be chronic and/or expensive. Or, that will even look for a way to cancel them altogether if possible. The most historically habitual meanies, and their relative opposites, in other words. Say this member has always had good health until then; has never presented any problem or expense to the carrier; and has hidden nothing. (Of course it would great to avoid companies known for the largest increments in routine rate adjustments as well, but for the purpose of this question I’m focusing on those most likely to bump rates up very considerably if not massively for the sole reason of having received an “inconvenient” diagnosis. If I had to define what I mean by “large/established carriers” – I’m only guessing as I don’t have much industry knowledge – I would say very near the industry top on the following counts: length of time in business; number of members; resources; and any such data which makes them unlikely to fold. I wouldn’t know any other sound criteria for pooling potential carriers, although there may be several. Policy type already existing here is - only as I have never had/looked into any other type - an individual PPO policy (I am an independent contractor), without bells & whistles. FYI, I do smoke, but have always disclosed this and do pay more because of it. I couldn’t even name who any big carriers are besides BC/BS. FYI, in the case at hand it’s between them and American Medical Security. Need to decide whether to keep a scheduled doctor’s appointment that may reveal something for the first time, or apply now to switch to a “kinder” long-range company first. BUT. Waiting and pondering is not problem-free either, as something IS up with me. (Not increasingly festering infection or that kind of thing. Symptoms of a possible chronic disease). For an answer I hope for names of a couple or few established companies, both the best and worst in the regard detailed above. I know if insurance nightmares could be avoided in this simple fashion they routinely would be, but I am hoping there are some rather tangible criteria that can be looked at to detect an exceptional/predictable pattern of jerking the suddenly-diagnosed around. Additionally, I need to know where my existing carrier - AMS – falls on the spectrum. THANK YOU!!
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Mar 2003 14:36 PST Hello once again. Sorry to hear your feeling the need for doctors...never anyone's favorite activity. To have any chance of tackling your question, I think we need to know what state you are in, since that determines the available policies, as well as the local regulatory climate.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 11 Mar 2003 15:58 PST Hi, thanks! Illinois.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 13 Mar 2003 11:31 PST Helloooooooo out there? Is it possible to get an update on if anyone did anything on this as of yet, as it could help at least a bit as I sign a dotted line today? If no research done yet, is it possible to find out if anyone as of this time has an interest in trying it soon? I don't necessarily want to close it, as I will probably delay my appointment even if inadvisable, to find out what I can about my existing & potential new carrier first. But, I don't want to put this off long either. If my parameters are too wide, and changes to the question would help (i.e. my providing names of just two specific companies to look, if clearly necessary), please post your suggested changes. There've got to be SOME figures/data out there that can be looked at, if not 100% addressing the exact matter, at least ballpark indicators of something kind of close...? THANKS!!
Request for Question Clarification by aceresearcher-ga on 13 Mar 2003 11:59 PST 4u2do, Bear in mind that, according to Illinois law, your insurer can raise your rates as much as they wish when renewal time comes around. So, chances are good that whatever rates with which you sign will probably only be good for a maximum of 1 year. From HealthInsuranceInfo.net, see: "CAN MY INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY BE CANCELLED? Your coverage cannot be canceled because you get sick. This is called guaranteed renewability. You have this protection provided that you pay the premiums, do not defraud the company, and, in the case of managed care plans, continue to live in the plan service area. However, guaranteed renewability does not protect you from having your premiums go up at renewal." and "WHAT CAN I BE CHARGED FOR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH COVERAGE? Generally, in Illinois, there are no limits on how much individual premiums can vary due to age, gender, health status, family size, and other factors." http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/il03.html Regards, aceresearcher
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 13 Mar 2003 12:06 PST Sorry for the delay. I have been looking, but to no avail, really. There is a good deal of information available about specific companies, but it's all of a pretty general nature (e.g. who has the most/least consumer complaints). But I haven't found anything specific to the topic of your question, that is, who is (or isn't) most likely to bump up your rates if you file a claim. It's a perfectly good question! But nobody seems to have done a ranking of companies from this respect. Best of luck, though...
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 13 Mar 2003 13:09 PST One more tidbit. The Illinois Department of Insurance website does have information on the types of complaints filed against each company. Most common are claims complaints -- they-wouldn't-pay-for-my-BoTox type of claims. But there is also a category of "underwriting" complaints. These include your type of concern -- they jacked up the fee after I filed -- but there's no way I can see to extract those specific complaints out of the broader category of "underwriting" complaints. If you wanted to list about ten companies, I could pull out the relevant info and post it as an answer. But it's too convoluted to do it for every company in the state.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 13 Mar 2003 13:13 PST Wow, pretty amazing that with this being one of the biggest issues of our day, such an investigative report has never been done. Even if the insurance companies are lucky enough to be able to (in effect) hide such data as legally confidential, surely they could be made to produce the numbers without the names. Or surely their clients would provide figures to investigators. So, maybe if an investigative hotline number was set up by (e.g.) Primetime Live (but why not the government itself!!), and carriers assumed the only people who would use it would be the currently or previously screwed, they'd see fit to indeed come forth with at least the nameless numbers so the complainers didn't skew things. (And so they wouldn't look worse than they may be only due to having more clients than others.) You'd think if there was a way to cool the heels of the "nastiest" companies, exposing them and therefore driving their customers away would be it. I'm not as current as I could be, so this is probably a tired old fact already. But if simple accountability like the above on a matter that is one of the most important in all people's lives hasn't been demanded by now, only politics and connections would seem able to explain it. Power enough that the interests of a few can effectively and perpetually jeopardize the health and financial welfare of the whole country. What? NOOOOOO, I'm not mad!!!!! Sorry. And thanks for trying.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 13 Mar 2003 13:56 PST (Hope this doesn't post twice; something went haywire. And sorry, we crossed on that last round!) Thank you for suggesting a different angle in this matter. I did have to act/sign off on my insurance issue today already, but may still look into identifying and "qualifying" some companies for inclusion on a shorter list, as you suggested. Complaint data IS useful regarding most consumer issues. Just wish people in general would file complaints reliably. True figures can be thrown off by those who don't/won't, whether due to procrastination, fear of retribution or just wanting to put something behind them. BUT STILL. Your source definitely sounds helpful. And as you said, the exact data I wanted most likely just ain't out there. = (

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NOTE: As this is kind of a specialized emergency, I ask that anyone reading this who is uniquely experienced/qualified to answer it please post that fact. Or, if researchers decide together in such cases, decide and proceed. (All comments encouraged too!!) I need an answer by Thursday afternoon, 03/13, as I have to commit by then. Otherwise, all else being equal: PALAFALA: As I was told a tip can’t be left when a question is canceled, and it was suggested that instead I could submit a new question to you, here goes. I want to identify which large/established health insurance carriers have the best and worst track records on the following count: having shown themselves to be most or least likely to slap large/huge rate increases on an existing member/client – at the next permissible rate review - after that member gets diagnosed for the first time with an illness that may be chronic and/or expensive. Or, that will even look for a way to cancel them altogether if possible. The most historically habitual meanies, and their relative opposites, in other words. Say this member has always had good health until then; has never presented any problem or expense to the carrier; and has hidden nothing. (Of course it would great to avoid companies known for the largest increments in routine rate adjustments as well, but for the purpose of this question I’m focusing on those most likely to bump rates up very considerably if not massively for the sole reason of having received an “inconvenient” diagnosis. If I had to define what I mean by “large/established carriers” – I’m only guessing as I don’t have much industry knowledge – I would say very near the industry top on the following counts: length of time in business; number of members; resources; and any such data which makes them unlikely to fold. I wouldn’t know any other sound criteria for pooling potential carriers, although there may be several. Policy type already existing here is - only as I have never had/looked into any other type - an individual PPO policy (I am an independent contractor), without bells & whistles. FYI, I do smoke, but have always disclosed this and do pay more because of it. I couldn’t even name who any big carriers are besides BC/BS. FYI, in the case at hand it’s between them and American Medical Security. Need to decide whether to keep a scheduled doctor’s appointment that may reveal something for the first time, or apply now to switch to a “kinder” long-range company first. BUT. Waiting and pondering is not problem-free either, as something IS up with me. (Not increasingly festering infection or that kind of thing. Symptoms of a possible chronic disease). For an answer I hope for names of a couple or few established companies, both the best and worst in the regard detailed above. I know if insurance nightmares could be avoided in this simple fashion they routinely would be, but I am hoping there are some rather tangible criteria that can be looked at to detect an exceptional/predictable pattern of jerking the suddenly-diagnosed around. Additionally, I need to know where my existing carrier - AMS – falls on the spectrum. THANK YOU!!
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Mar 2003 14:36 PST Hello once again. Sorry to hear your feeling the need for doctors...never anyone's favorite activity. To have any chance of tackling your question, I think we need to know what state you are in, since that determines the available policies, as well as the local regulatory climate.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 11 Mar 2003 15:58 PST Hi, thanks! Illinois.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 13 Mar 2003 11:31 PST Helloooooooo out there? Is it possible to get an update on if anyone did anything on this as of yet, as it could help at least a bit as I sign a dotted line today? If no research done yet, is it possible to find out if anyone as of this time has an interest in trying it soon? I don't necessarily want to close it, as I will probably delay my appointment even if inadvisable, to find out what I can about my existing & potential new carrier first. But, I don't want to put this off long either. If my parameters are too wide, and changes to the question would help (i.e. my providing names of just two specific companies to look, if clearly necessary), please post your suggested changes. There've got to be SOME figures/data out there that can be looked at, if not 100% addressing the exact matter, at least ballpark indicators of something kind of close...? THANKS!!
Request for Question Clarification by aceresearcher-ga on 13 Mar 2003 11:59 PST 4u2do, Bear in mind that, according to Illinois law, your insurer can raise your rates as much as they wish when renewal time comes around. So, chances are good that whatever rates with which you sign will probably only be good for a maximum of 1 year. From HealthInsuranceInfo.net, see: "CAN MY INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY BE CANCELLED? Your coverage cannot be canceled because you get sick. This is called guaranteed renewability. You have this protection provided that you pay the premiums, do not defraud the company, and, in the case of managed care plans, continue to live in the plan service area. However, guaranteed renewability does not protect you from having your premiums go up at renewal." and "WHAT CAN I BE CHARGED FOR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH COVERAGE? Generally, in Illinois, there are no limits on how much individual premiums can vary due to age, gender, health status, family size, and other factors." http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/il03.html Regards, aceresearcher
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 13 Mar 2003 12:06 PST Sorry for the delay. I have been looking, but to no avail, really. There is a good deal of information available about specific companies, but it's all of a pretty general nature (e.g. who has the most/least consumer complaints). But I haven't found anything specific to the topic of your question, that is, who is (or isn't) most likely to bump up your rates if you file a claim. It's a perfectly good question! But nobody seems to have done a ranking of companies from this respect. Best of luck, though...
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 13 Mar 2003 13:09 PST One more tidbit. The Illinois Department of Insurance website does have information on the types of complaints filed against each company. Most common are claims complaints -- they-wouldn't-pay-for-my-BoTox type of claims. But there is also a category of "underwriting" complaints. These include your type of concern -- they jacked up the fee after I filed -- but there's no way I can see to extract those specific complaints out of the broader category of "underwriting" complaints. If you wanted to list about ten companies, I could pull out the relevant info and post it as an answer. But it's too convoluted to do it for every company in the state.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 13 Mar 2003 13:13 PST Wow, pretty amazing that with this being one of the biggest issues of our day, such an investigative report has never been done. Even if the insurance companies are lucky enough to be able to (in effect) hide such data as legally confidential, surely they could be made to produce the numbers without the names. Or surely their clients would provide figures to investigators. So, maybe if an investigative hotline number was set up by (e.g.) Primetime Live (but why not the government itself!!), and carriers assumed the only people who would use it would be the currently or previously screwed, they'd see fit to indeed come forth with at least the nameless numbers so the complainers didn't skew things. (And so they wouldn't look worse than they may be only due to having more clients than others.) You'd think if there was a way to cool the heels of the "nastiest" companies, exposing them and therefore driving their customers away would be it. I'm not as current as I could be, so this is probably a tired old fact already. But if simple accountability like the above on a matter that is one of the most important in all people's lives hasn't been demanded by now, only politics and connections would seem able to explain it. Power enough that the interests of a few can effectively and perpetually jeopardize the health and financial welfare of the whole country. What? NOOOOOO, I'm not mad!!!!! Sorry. And thanks for trying.
Clarification of Question by 4u2do-ga on 13 Mar 2003 13:56 PST (Hope this doesn't post twice; something went haywire. And sorry, we crossed on that last round!) Thank you for suggesting a different angle in this matter. I did have to act/sign off on my insurance issue today already, but may still look into identifying and "qualifying" some companies for inclusion on a shorter list, as you suggested. Complaint data IS useful regarding most consumer issues. Just wish people in general would file complaints reliably. True figures can be thrown off by those who don't/won't, whether due to procrastination, fear of retribution or just wanting to put something behind them. BUT STILL. Your source definitely sounds helpful. And as you said, the exact data I wanted most likely just ain't out there. = (