Health Insurance Blog

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has asked the Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner to approve a 10.2% rate increase for its direct-pay plans (available to individuals and families who are not eligible for group health insurance plans or government sponsored programs).

Direct Pay is the only health insurance plan in Rhode Island that is guaranteed issue for those not eligible for group plans or Medicare or Medicaid.

BSBCRI offers several programs that make individual health insurance more affordable including AccessBlue Subsidy plan, The Wellness Reward Plan and the Preferred Rate System.

More information about Rhode Island health insurance

Despite the fiscal crisis being experienced nationwide, 14 states found money this year to increase health insurance coverage for an additional 250,000 children nationwide.

The states took advantage of $33 Million that was appropriated by Congress when it reauthorized the Children’s health insurance program (CHIP) back in February.

the 14 states that are expanding their children’s health insurance programs inlcude: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and West Virginia

Since 2008, at least 21 other states have had to cut state sponsored health programs due to financial woes.  In addition the recession has caused at least 15 states to make cuts to Medicaid Programs during 2010-2011, and 8 states have made cuts to Medicaid benefits for 2009

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is the only game in town when it comes to the individual health insurance in Rhode Island.  For the second straight year, BCBSRI has applied to the Department of Insurance to raise their health insurance rates and for the second year in a row that request has been denied.

The rate increase that BCBSRI was seeking averaged 5.9% across all of their individual health insurance products, but half of that increase was meant for increasing the companies surplus fund.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island has no plans to appeal the ruling.