That’s how much health insurance rates will be hiked for many Anthem Blue Cross customers in California who buy individual policies. These same customers had their premium rates jacked up by around one-third last year as well. And the final kick in the balls: The folks affected have been told to expect their rates to increase more frequently than the typically once-a-year bump.
From the LA Times:
Anthem Blue Cross is telling many of its approximately 800,000 customers who buy individual coverage — people not covered by group rates — that its prices will go up March 1 and may be adjusted “more frequently” than its typical yearly increases.
The insurer declined to say how high it is increasing rates. But brokers who sell these policies say they are fielding numerous calls from customers incensed over premium increases of 30% to 39%, saying they come on the heels of similar jumps last year.
For example, the policy for one 63-year-old doctor who buys his own insurance currently costs $20,184 a year for himself and his wife. That’s crazy enough. And now—or for now, I should say, since rates are sure to increase again in the near future—it will go to $27,336 annually.
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