Medica asks for a rate hike. Are other Minnesota health insurers next?

pioneer press ^ | 5-7-13 | chris snowbeck

[TurboZamboni]

A recent uptick in health care costs could start ballooning some insurance premiums for Minnesota workers this summer. Medica, one of the state's three largest health insurers, is seeking an average rate increase of 13 percent for about 5,000 people covered through their small-business employers when they renew policies in July. If approved by state regulators, the proposed increase could affect future premiums for an additional 65,000 people in small-business accounts with the Minnetonka-based health insurer. Medica covers about one-fourth of the state's "small group" market -- meaning small businesses with 50 or fewer employees -- and the actual premium increase for different customers would vary.

[TurboZamboni]

"unexpected".

[Buckeye McFrog]

Don’t need a playbook to know how this will play out.

Request will be denied
They will go broke
Large numbers of people will lose their insurance
Panicked cries for help will be met by Single Payer proposal.

[TurboZamboni]

[hondact200]

How else do you think the “free insurance” for 30 million more people is to come from - out of the pocket of those whom pay for it already. When this fails and medicaid fails comes the next step -rationing.