What health insurance change is NY proposing?”
According to Valerie Bauman at Newsday.com, New York’s Governor David Paterson wants to ensure health insurance is more affordable by requiring health insurance companies to get state approval if they are going to raise premiums. This bill is one of four that Paterson has proposed to help people who can’t afford private health insurance, but do not qualify for Medicaid. One third of New York’s uninsured is between the ages of 19-29. Paterson’s proposal would permit families to cover their children up to 29 under insurance through their employer. Most plans currently stop this kind of coverage at 23. This could dramatically help families stay insured that fall into this category. Also, part of Paterson’s plan is to extend COBRA from 18 months to 36 months, and to cut down on the amount of claims that are inappropriately delayed or denied. If the deadline cannot be met to review a claim, then the claim would have to be approved by the healt
NYS proposes changes to health insurance regulation Associated Press ALBANY,N.Y. Gov. David Paterson wants to make health care more affordable and accessible by requiring health insurers to get state approval before raising premiums. The proposal is now before the state Legislature. Officials say the measure would require companies to seek approval for increases through state Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo. Currently the state’s “file and use” system gives insurance companies broad discretion for rate increases without state approval. Dinallo says the current system has resulted in driving New Yorkers out of health plans. But officials with the New York Health Plan Association say there are serious problems with the proposal. The health insurance trade group says the bill would exert price controls on health care without regulating the cost of providers such as hospitals.
