California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today urged the U.S. Department of Justice to block the merger deal between Anthem, Inc., and Cigna Corporation. After an extensive review of the Anthem and Cigna merger, Commissioner Jones issued detailed findings that the merger of the second and fourth largest national health insurers is anti-competitive and will harm California consumers, businesses, and the California health insurance market.
Centene approved to acquire Health Net
California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Director Shelley Rouillard approved Centene’s acquisition of Health Net.
New health insurance rules strengthen provider networks
Permanent regulations issued by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones establishing stronger requirements for health insurers to create and maintain adequate medical provider networks were approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). These regulations go into effect immediately because they address a number of critical problems consumers have faced with insurers when seeking timely access to care.
New California consumer health insurance complaint center
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) announced today that several portals are now available to assist consumers, insurers* and health care providers in communicating and interacting with the department through the complaint process.
Legislation to stop surprise medical bills from out of network providers
Have you been hit with a surprise medical bill? Did you follow your insurance company’s rules by picking a hospital, lab, or outpatient facility that is in your plan’s network to keep costs low? But then did you end up getting a huge surprise medical bill from specialists, labs, or others who are not in your plan’s network—providers you didn’t choose, may have never met, and had no control over?
Major insurer makes life insurance available for people with HIV
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, who regulates the largest insurance market in the United States, today commended Prudential Insurance Company of America for being the first major insurer to offer individual life insurance to people with HIV:
Aetna accused of unreasonable rate increases
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced today that Department of Insurance actuaries found Aetna Life Insurance Company’s most recent small group health insurance rate increase excessive and unreasonable. Aetna is increasing rates for small businesses and their employees by an annual average of 27.4 percent.
New California online healthcare price and quality tool released
Commissioner Jones directed the California Department of Insurance to obtain federal Affordable Care Act grant funds to enhance transparency in healthcare pricing. Commissioner Jones then partnered with UCSF and Consumer Reports to create California Healthcare Compare (HealthcareCompare.insurance.ca.gov), a first step in achieving cost and quality transparency in California’s healthcare marketplace.
Insurance Commissioner raises concerns about impacts of health insurance mergers on competition, choice and prices
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued the following statement today after Anthem Blue Cross announced plans to acquire Cigna Corporation:
“The Department of Insurance will carefully review the proposed merger of Anthem Blue Cross and Cigna Corporation, as well as the proposed mergers of other health insurers.