 (Image: Ed Yourdon under CC 3.0) |
As the second half of the bipartisan healthcare reform summit continues, a story out of North Carolina highlights why health insurance is such a vital issue.
The state’s Blue Cross Blue Shield was recently allowed to increase their health insurance rates by an average of 12%. Some policyholders have seen their premiums increase by 50% or more! North Carolina residents are in a tight bind, since Blue Cross Blue Shield makes up 97% of the individual health insurance market in the state.
Gender rating, an issue that has garnered attention during the summit, plays a role. BCBS of North Carolina had a standard policy of charging higher premiums to young women under a family health insurance plan once they turn 18, but cost increases have led to them lowering the age at which the higher premiums apply.
Tags: Blue Cross Blue Shield, family health insurance, individual health insurance, north carolina health insurance
