Last year, you ultimately approved a 16% increase for Carefirst and yet my rates went up 20%. When I called to question, they said it was an AVERAGE rate increase. I can only assume they increased the unsubscribed plans by 10% so they could increase the popular plans by more than 20%. What a convenient way to bypass your rulings. How can that be acceptable to the Maryland Insurance Administration? I truly hope that you will close that loophole this year and that the current requested rate increase of 30% is also found to be ridiculous. If other companies can offer a very similar service for so much less, why isn't anyone questioning Carefirst's excessive rates. Clearly this "non-profit" isn't so non-profit.
        Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 5/17/2015

Documents: None   

Actually, the above comment is ridiculous. I suppose that it would be better for all insurance companies to go out of business in order to cover you at whatever medical conditions everyone has? Keep in mind, that we all have been demanding the latest in healthcare. Your beef should be with the doctors, drug companies, hospitals and the Federal Government who are imposing the heavy regulations to deliver you this "Affordable Care Act". And... CareFirst was easily lower than ALL of the other offerings in MD... go check it out.
        Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 5/26/2015

Documents: None   

This increase, claimed due to higher payouts for ACA, should not affect those grandfathered into plans. Those plans should be stable and premium left alone.
        Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 5/26/2015

Documents: None   

I see CareFirst requested 30% increase for 2015 and you approved 15%. 15% is an huge increase, especially considering they have once again requested another round of 27% for next year. Nonetheless, I've been informed that MY PREMIUM WILL GO UP 29.4% on AUG 1, 2015. IS that legal? CF/BCBS refuses to provide any additional information explaining my increase.
    Submitted By: Louise Zeitlin    Location: Annapolis MD    Date: 6/2/2015

Documents: None   

This is absolutely outrageous. how do you expect people to pay this? This hits the small business owner so badly --
    Submitted By: ELIZABETH STELLMANN    Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 6/2/2015

Documents: None   

This is an absurd increase. Especially since carefirst asks for an approx. 30% increase year after year. They are just hoping that they'll get their 30-40% over two years since you didn't give it to them in one lump sum. Insurance costs are increasingly a major portion of bills month after month and it's only getting worse. This type of increase will make insurance more difficult to keep up for young Marylanders and people that are not in the upper 25% of income.
        Location: White Hall MD    Date: 6/3/2015

Documents: None   

These increases are hurting the consumer. We already have plans that we are afraid to use since you have to meet the high deductibles that are in place ($1500 - $6000+) before the plans kick in and pay something. Most of the plans also have a 20% co-insurance clause "after the deductible", which has to be met as well. The consumer's out-of-pocket expenses are quite high, even with the cap, which is typically $6350. Now, with the increase, this will mean higher premiums. Just don't get sick and try to use the insurance. Stay well and ensure that you take advantage of the preventive services that are available. I do not support the increase unless the deductibles are substantially reduced and the co-insurances are eliminated.
    Submitted By: PG G    Location: Silver Spring MD    Date: 6/15/2015

Documents: None   

Please go to the attached link for public comments from Jay Angoff. www.insurance.maryland.gov/sa/docs/documents/consumer/publicnew/jay-angoff-comments.pdf
    Submitted By: Jay Angoff    Location: Washington DC    Date: 6/17/2015

Documents: None   

Please see the attached link for comments from Maryland Hospital Association. www.insurance.maryland.gov/sa/docs/documents/consumer/publicnew/maryland-hospital-association-comments.pdf
    Submitted By: Michael Robbins    Location: Elkridge MD    Date: 6/17/2015

Documents: None   

Please see the attached link for comments from the University of Maryland Medical System. www.insurance.maryland.gov/sa/docs/documents/consumer/publicnew/university-of-maryland-medical-system-comments.pdf
    Submitted By: Henry Franey    Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 6/17/2015

Documents: None   

Please see the attached link for comments from the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division. www.insurance.maryland.gov/sa/docs/documents/consumer/publicnew/office-of-attorney-general-comments.pdf
    Submitted By: Kimberly Cammarata    Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 6/17/2015

Documents: None   

Please see the attached link for comments from Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform. www.insurance.maryland.gov/sa/docs/documents/consumer/publicnew/coalition-letter.pdf
    Submitted By: Leni Preston    Location: Potomac MD    Date: 6/17/2015

Documents: None   

Health Insurance Commissioner – I just wanted to weigh in on my opposition to the rate increase requested by Care First. We just won an incredible victory in the Supreme Court that supported the right to continue to allow the Federal Government to provide subsidies under the ACA. I know the decision does not affect Maryland since we have our own state-based exchange. But the underlying fight is to enable health insurance coverage to be affordable to the millions of Americans who had previously been uninsured or underinsured. In Maryland, if insurers like Care First are allowed to increase their premiums at such astronomical rates this too will force many people who have finally gotten much needed coverage to drop their insurance because of the cost. Like too many private insurers, Care First puts profits above patient care. I hope that you will not approve these exorbitant rate increase requests. Thank you for your consideration on this crucial issue.
    Submitted By: Madeleine Golde    Location: Baltimore MD    Date: 6/29/2015

Documents: None