Latest News Surrounding Antitrust Litigation

Blue Cross Blue Shield AntiTrust Litigation | Monthly Archives: June 2016

Latest News surrounding Insurance Antitrust Litigation


Monthly Archives: June 2016


Blue Cross Blue Shield seeks 60% rate hikes in 2017


By: Jenny Deam

June 1, 2016houston chronicle

Houston Chronicle

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the state’s largest insurer, has asked for rate hikes of nearly 60 percent for next year in three popular HMO plans, filings with federal regulators show.

The company, which is the only carrier to offer health coverage in all of Texas’ 254 counties, would not specify Wednesday what would happen if does not get the rate increase it says it needs.

No final decisions have been made regarding our 2017 Texas offerings,” spokesman Gustavo Bujanda said in a statement emailed to the Houston Chronicle.

“The rates we have submitted for review and approval are supported by strong actuarial principles, science and data,” the statement continued.

According to filings listed on healthcare.gov, Blue Cross and Blue Shield seeks increases between 57.33 percent and 59.35 percent for two of its Blue Advantage Plus plans. A Blue Advantage Health Maintenance Organization Plan is asking for a 58.6 percent hike.

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BlueCross of Alabama cancels NMMC contract

dj logoBy: Michaela Gibson Morris

Daily Journal

TUPELO -For the second time in a year, a BlueCross BlueShield insurer is cutting ties with North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo.

After Sept. 30, NMMC-Tupelo will no longer be a part of the preferred provider network for BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, apparently because of national BlueCross rules. NMMC-Hamilton will not be affected by the change.

The change could force West Alabama residents to drive twice as far to receive specialized care, said David Graham, executive director of the Community Development Foundation in Hamilton, Ala.

“It could substantially impact people financially,” Graham said. “I’m certain they’re going to be very agitated.”

The Alabama organization had not been a part of the discount rate disagreement between NMMC and BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi.

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Blue Shield ‘Lifts The Veil’ On Executive Pay

By: Chad Terhunekaiser

Kaiser Health News

05/26/2016

In its first detailed disclosure on executive pay, nonprofit Blue Shield of California said Chief Executive Paul Markovich made $3.5 million last year – a 40 percent increase since he took the top job in 2013.

The San Francisco-based health insurer has faced criticism for years from consumer advocates about its lack of transparency on executive compensation, and the issue attracted even more scrutiny after a state audit raised questions about the insurer’s big pay increases and large financial reserves.

Following that audit, in 2014, California revoked Blue Shield’s state tax exemption, which it had held since its founding in 1939.

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