Blue Cross Blue Shield Rate Increase of 35% (health insurance, how much)

[mschuma]

Just received a letter from BCBSNC advising me that my monthly premiums are increasing from $925.00 to $1,241.00. I could understand a small yearly increase but 35% for the exact same plan is outrageous. I am self employed and my wife and I have three children. I have already contacted United Health Care for a competitive bid. I am interested to hear from other BCBS subscribers to see if everyones rates are going up this much? Is there an appeals process with BCBS. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Matt

[lovebrentwood]

We have Wellpath and have two separate policies that total $700 a month with a combined $3,500/year deductible.

Wellpath pays for nothing, nada, zip. I get to go to the doctor for a $25 co-pay. That's about it. But of course, we're afraid of having no insurance.

Your rate doesn't surprise me a bit.

The good thing is that the U.S. doesn't intercept prescription drugs from Canada anymore.

And I figure if either of us ever needs major surgery, we'll be on our way to India. Unfortunately.

God bless America.

[SFspiderman]

Yep, my toddler son's premium is going up over 50%. Will be calling BCBSNC tomorrow to find out what the heck is going on, and then likely shopping for a new insurer.

[gotsomedata]

Originally Posted by mschuma

Just received a letter from BCBSNC advising me that my monthly premiums are increasing from $925.00 to $1,241.00...

Yes, we pay not twice that but almost; and it goes up pretty much every year; it has to do with age and medical "situation" as best I can figure it out; I love talking to some younger people I know who have a high deductable plan and pay like $200-$300 per month because they don't actually use their plan or have any health "issues"...

[byebyenortheast]

Originally Posted by mschuma

Just received a letter from BCBSNC advising me that my monthly premiums are increasing from $925.00 to $1,241.00.

They hit me with almost the same exact increase. What a crock of sh__!

I'll be shopping when I return home next week.

[njam595]

Same story here w/BCBS. Self employed family of 3, child with medical needs. Annual rate increase has been $100 + a month consistently over the past 4 years. Now we are going from $750 to $880. What can we do?

[flipster]

Pretty much the same here.

I wish I knew the best thing to do. I wish it was a 'crime' for the ceo of bcbs to have a $2million salary and then get a bonus of $725k, but it's a crying shame anyway.

The only thing I think we can do is complain to the company and lawmakers.

BUT - Write your legislators in congress to encourage insurance reform. Health insurance should not be an unregulated business---or even a business in the normal sense. Ask legislators how small businesses can be started or continued if a chunk of monthly expenses go towards health insurance.

I think health insurance should not be tied to employment at all. If 'everyone' took a look at how much their health insurance costs, a good look, surely there would be a revolt.

If I wasn't afraid of bankruptcy due to a medical emergency, I'd certainly self pay my way through my healthcare. I'm seriously considering a hsa. If anyone finds a catastropic policy that has a reasonable premium, I'd like to know about it.

[sundownz]

Mine went up 27% recently as well.

I have never used it... and since I have been self employed full time have seen the doctor once (on my previous insurance).

Doesn't make much sense to me either.

[NCGT]

I have health insurance with BCBSNC. My premium is going up from $88 a month to $91.

[Asheville Native]

That is so they can pay for all the TV commercials to tell us how much health insurance premiums will increase if the government tries to regulate the health care insurance companies