Which Way, L.A.?
Which Way, L.A.?
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Health Insurance: Will You Get What You Think You Paid For?

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A health insurance policy cancelled just when you need it most is a nightmare come true. Blue Cross and Blue Shield will pay 13 million dollars to settle claims investigated by the Governor’s Department of Managed Health Care. But consumer groups claim that’s not enough for leaving policy-holders stuck with tens of thousands in medical bills. Tonight, how widespread is the practice? What’s being done to prevent it from continuing?

LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has sued Blue Shield for illegally rescinding coverage of 850 policy holders. Blue Shield calls it a “cheap political stunt…without merit.” But without agreeing to wrongdoing, Blue Shield will pay 3 million dollars to settle an investigation of such practices by Governor Schwarzenegger’s Department of Managed Health Care. Anthem Blue Cross will pay 13 million. It’s all about polices sold to individuals not protected by group benefits.
Guests:
  • Lisa Girion: Staff writer, Los Angeles Times
  • Daniel Zingale: Chief of Staff to First Lady Maria Shriver, senior advisor to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and founding director of the Department of Managed Health Care
  • Chris Ohman: President of the California Association of Health Plans
  • Jerry Flanagan: Healthcare Policy Director at Consumerwatchdog.org

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.

 

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