inside the industry

Regence Defends Rate Hike in Rare Public Hearing

Close to 200 people showed up to voice their opinion
June 3, 2011 – Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon President Jared Short defended a proposed 22.1 percent average annual rate increase on individual plan holders Thursday during a rare public hearing that drew close to 200 people.  Read More >>

Oregon Insurers On Pace for Another Strong Year

The first quarter financials show Oregon insurers are still riding investment gains
June 3, 2011 – Oregon’s seven largest health insurers finished the first quarter this year with fewer members and less net income than last year, but were still on pace to have another financially healthy year. Read More >>

Oregon Rx Card Program Offers Drug Discounts

The program, available to anyone, offers discounts ranging from 30-75 percent
June 2, 2011-- Sherry Henney's husband was insured through the carpenter's union until the union's insurance rates jumped from $300 to $800 a month, and the couple had to cancel.   Read More >>

Hospital Association Raises Objections to New Provider Tax

The hospitals are also upset over Senate Bill 204, which passed the House yesterday and gives the Oregon Health Authority the ability to lower outpatient rates based on Medicare payment methodologies
June 2, 2011 -- Legislators have reached a decision on increasing the hospital tax to ward off deep cuts to the Oregon Health Plan, but the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems insists the new tax will negatively impact them. Their leaders even protested to Governor Kitzhaber, but were rebuffed. Read More >>

Leadership Council Launches Medical Home Project

The demonstration project, which is aimed at 3,600 patients with chronic illnesses, represents a partnership among 14 medical groups and 9 health plans across the state
May 31, 2011 -- A medical home demonstration project, launched by the Oregon Health Leadership Council, holds promise of providing higher quality care to chronically ill patients and reduce costs.
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DCBS Fines Regence BlueCross BlueShield

The state Insurance Division holds a hearing Thursday afternoon on Regence’s 22.1 percent rate request for its 60,000 individual members
May 31, 2011 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon has been fined $10,000 by the Department of Consumer and Business Services for charging one of its members for medical information to evaluate a health statement last October.
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Managed Care Plans Pay Top Salaries

A Clear One buy-out netted higher than average salaries last year as state prepares for major reform
May 27, 2011 – Gov. John Kitzhaber wants to trim as much waste out of Oregon’s Medicaid program as possible. So far the discussion has not extended, however, to tamping down on executive salaries or the type of profitable buy-outs like the one that occurred in Central Oregon last year. Read More >>

State Regulators Fine Providence $20,000

The health plan failed to explain why it needed additional information before paying claims
May 25, 2011 -- Providence Health Plan was fined $20,000 by the Department of Consumer and Business Services for failing to explain why it needed additional information before paying claims. Read More >>

State Employee Benefit Board Could Reduce Costs by $137.9 Million

Under the three scenarios still under consideration, employees would face higher out-of-pocket costs to help close a looming budget gap
May 20, 2011—The Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB) agreed on three scenarios that could save between $46 to $137.9 million at a meeting earlier this week.
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McKenzie Willamette Settles Contract Negotiations

May 17, 2011 -- McKenzie Willamette Medical Center has reached an agreement with 300 hospital workers, giving them a contract similar to the nursing staff. They will receive a small wage increase, cuts to their health benefits and pension plans, and an increased health benefit subsidy for low wage workers. The new contract was ratified May 13.  
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