September 23rd is 10 Days Away

[Crabcake Johnny]

With September 23rd 10 days away I have sought answer to two questions for all carriers in MD. So far 4 out of 6 have replied with "we don't know" and two have not responded to these two questions:

1) After 9/23 when I write a family policy where a child has to be guaranteed issue what is the max rating?

2) After 9/23 when I write a family policy where the child has to be guaranteed issue, will I receive full compensation for that case?

...crickets.

Oh, and my Coventry rep has responded that they don't believe child GI applies until December.

 

[AllenChicago]

Ins Co. VP told us last Friday that the regulations coming out of the government are undergoing constant adjustments as the various lobby groups balk at one aspect or another. New, adjusted guidelines are coming from HHS on a weekly basis, which is causing chaos (to put it mildly) with the enforcement and legal departments at the companies.

For instance, just this week, HHS issued new guidelines which said that the annual benefit maximum did not have to be removed, as previously directed. Instead, insurance companies can "gradually" lift the annual maximum in phases over the next 3 years in accordance with a new HHS formula.

Here's a link to the latest document from BC/BS of Illinois regarding this issue (and others):
http://www.pages02.net/bluecrossblueshield/nftb_il_090810_legislative_update/

Some companies are even holding off on bringing the new Preventive Services mandate to their individual plans until 2011 because HHS regulation revisions are being interpreted in that way by some insurer's legal departments. Our government at work...
-A.C.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

A communication also apparently came down from HHS this week stating that RX is an essential benefit and cannot have separate limits.

 

[669comche]

I am not sure any one knows what is going on....at all.

Brokers/Agents don't know anything
Insurance companies CLAIM they don't know whats going on
The government - well who know's what they think...

This all seems reminiscent of year 2k......Everyone panicking for the unknown........