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New Health Insurance Plan Offerings
Oregonians are currently in the middle of a time of great
change in the kinds of health insurance plans that are available. Below
we will keep a running report as to the current state of available health plans.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Effective July 1, 2008, will update the rates for their Oregon individual health plans. Here is a letter being sent to members.
Providence Health Plans of Oregon
Effective November 1, 2007, has updated the rates and benefits for their Oregon individual health plans..
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Effective October 1, 2007, will update the rates of all of their plans quarterly. Once accepted for coverage, a new policyholder will have the next rate increase for 12 months.
Kaiser Permanente
Effective October 1, 2007, Kaiser will be updating their portfolio of plans:
- The Platinum and Platinum Rx HMO plans have been reintroduced.
- Rates and slight benefit changes on all other existing plans
LifeWise Health Plans of Oregon
Effective September 1, 2007, LifeWise will be updating their portfolio of plans:
ODS Health Plans
Effective July 1, 2007, ODS will be adjusting the rates of their individual
health insurance plans. They have also made some changes to several of
their plans:
- ODS has removed their Traditional, Plus & Preferred Option plans from the market.
- The new Maximizer plan has been added to their product portfolio.
- The Beneficial
Value and Beneficial Rx Plan have been modified.
- The HSA PPO plan has been renamed to the HSA Value planSome wellness benefits have been added to the HSA
Choice.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Effective July 1, 2007, Regence will be adjusting the rates of their individual
health insurance plans.
LifeWise Health Plans of Oregon
LifeWise has extended their current rates through August 31, 2007 and have indicated that they will be bringing new plan designs to the market.
HealthNet of Oregon
Effective October 1, 2006, HealthNet will be adjusting the rates of their
individual health insurance plans.
They have also made some changes to their plans:
New Oregon Insurance Regulations:
Maternity waiting periods
Effective May 1, 2006, OAR 836-053-0003: This rulemaking affirms the statutory
prohibition against the use of a policy exclusion or waiver in a health insurance
policy with respect to pregnancy and childbirth expenses, for which coverage
is required by ORS 743.693. Simply stated, maternity benefits are now subject
to the pre-existing condition waiting period (6 months). A pregnant
woman is deemed uninsurable if trying to apply, but a woman that is not pregnant
has immediate maternity benefits. This waiting period can be waived if the
prior creditable coverage terminated no more than 63 days prior to the effective
date of the new policy. If a woman is pregnant and looking for
individual coverage, the only option available is an OMIP
(Oregon Medical Insurance Pool) plan. There will be a 6 month
waiting period before any maternity benefits are paid...
Competitor Secure 12x3 STM
Click here for information about a new Short
Term Medical plan in Oregon from HPA. This plan can be repurchased for up
to a total of 36 months instead of the 6 to 12 month maximums for other plans.
The benefits are unique and it also has features like an Rx discount card
and LabOne discounts as well.
Medicare Part D Informaiton
Click here for an overview of what
is available with Medicare Part D Rx benefits in Oregon.
FHIAP
The Family Health Insurance Assistance Program or FHIAP
was created by the 1997 Oregon Legislature to help low-income Oregonians afford
private health insurance. FHIAP pays 50 percent to 95 percent of monthly health
insurance premiums. The amount is based on family size and income. For example,
FHIAP would pay half the monthly premium for a family of four earning up to
$2,906 a month. FHIAP does not help members pay for deductibles, co-pays,
or any other coinsurance associated with the members health insurance plan.
Click here for more information.
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Plan Updates 