CalPERS Panel Calls for Hiking Health Premiums by an Average of 4.1%
On Tuesday, CalPERS' health benefits committee recommended raising members' health insurance premiums by an average of 4.1%, effective Jan. 1, 2012, the Sacramento Bee reports.
The proposed rate hike is about half the amount that CalPERS increased premiums last year (Kasler, Sacramento Bee, 6/15).
Under the proposal, rate increases would vary from no increase for Medicare policies to a 5.3% increase for basic HMO plans. In addition, copayments would increase for brand-name prescriptions but not for generic medications.
Priya Mathur, chair of CalPERS' health benefits committee, said that although CalPERS members' use of health care services is holding steady or decreasing, the panel is calling for rate hikes because "costs for hospitalization, medical services and pharmaceuticals are continuing to go up" (Sacramento Business Journal, 6/14).
The rate hike proposal goes before the full CalPERS board today (Sacramento Bee, 6/15).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.