There’s a lot of talk lately about rising health insurance costs. Critics argue Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s Charter Oak Health Plan is NOT insurance, but whatever it is, it is getting more expensive to participate.
The agenda for tomorrow morning’s Medicaid Managed Care Council contains the following item related to the Charter Oak Health Plan Rell has proudly touted as her administration’s effort to help the uninsured and underinsured:
- Charter Oak Health Plan rebasing, member cost share increases & implementation date
It was too late to get in touch with the Department of Social Services, which administers the program, for details.
Council Vice-chairman Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia tonight told me she understands the agency is indeed moving ahead with premium increases.
“I had heard some rumors,” an upset Prague said. “I also had heard this administration was considering closing intake.”
Rell proposed freezing enrollment in Charter Oak in late November.
DSS recently issued a press release outlining how more and more residents are turning to the state for health care and other assistance during tough times.
UPDATE: In the past few hours I’ve heard from both David Dearborn, spokesman for DSS and from a blog reader who participates in Charter Oak.
First, Dearborn’s e-mail: “Yes premiums are increasing as of feb 1 in charter oak. Basically, the state share of the subsidy is fixed in the underlying statute. That means that the beneficiary share may fluctuate based on the cost of the services across the various income levels. I don’t have the new rates at my fingertips but can get them for you in the morning. Dave
The reader e-mailed me the increases, which they said they learned about by mail:
“There are 5 ‘bands’. Band 1 increases from $75 to $93. Band 2 increases from $100 to $124. Band 3 increases from $175 to $184. Band 4 from $200 to $213 and band 5 from $250-$259 to $296.”
The rates just increased again. I just received a letter with the invoice for June. Band one in which I am earning 10k a year, just increased from 93.00 ( with the last increase in Feb) to 129.00 per month.
This income bracket is up to 16,245. Which is more than 1.5 what I make. how is that fair? Also since accepted into the plan in Jan 2009 at 75.00 per month , this is over a 70 % increase in 17 months!
Comment by Lori — May 5th, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
Just to add, please note the highest income bracket/Band 5 remains the same at 296, no second increase for the highest earners. that makes sense and is fair right?
Comment by Lori — May 5th, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
I enrolled in Charter Oak starting 12/09. Band 2 was $100.00 then. Went up to $124.00 for 2/10. Now for 6/10 it is $172.00! Up 72% in six months. At this rate, I’ll have to become unisured again by the end of the year. Thanks Gov…
Comment by Don — May 8th, 2010 @ 7:37 am
Thanks to the second increase, I can no longer afford coverage. I was so happy to see this program begin, and now I feel like the government has let me down. (What else is new?)
Comment by Michelle — May 10th, 2010 @ 9:48 am
After the last increase in Feb., I emailed Blumenthal and Rell. And never received an answer as to why. Nobody gives a damn, so long as it doesn’t actually affect them.
Comment by Brenda — May 11th, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
As of June 1, 2010 the state will no longer be subsidizing the Charter Oak Health Plan and the monthly rate for new enrollments will be $307 per person – regardless of income level.
Follow this link to the Charter Oak website:
http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/coh/cwp/view.asp?a=3542&q=418274&cohNav=|
Comment by J.M. — May 12th, 2010 @ 8:38 pm
I received a letter from Charter oak saying I was disenrolled as of 6/1/10, which was my new enrollment date, for “other” as a reason. When I called to find out why, I was informed it is because my new premium will now be the new flat rate of $302.00, and to disregard the letter. THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE. With the premiums,the physician and drug copays I am looking at approx $450.00 a month. Somebody missed something somewhere. Could you fill me in on it!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Joan — May 24th, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
what is the difference between health insurance and a health plan?
Comment by appendicitis symptoms — June 17th, 2010 @ 2:06 am
no matter the changes taking place in the charter oak plan they are still doing a good job proving health to the community keep it upbut it is also good to use more of natural drugs and u can get more about health on http://www.tienseshop.com and http://www.tiensstore.net
Comment by beli — July 8th, 2010 @ 8:15 am
Just got kicked off of Charter Oak, says account “closed”, and said to try signing up for Medicaid. What a great health insurance system we have!
Comment by Dave — July 9th, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Just renewed but they are charging me at a higher rate because of what I have made in one month in a temporary job. Although my yearly income will be half of what is required for tier one, they will be charging me tier 3 rates. I thought it was based on yearly income not monthly income
Comment by dAVE — July 13th, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
I think this insurance is horrible. I have been on it for a year and been still getting bills. Also i missed the date for which to send in my renewal application and now they want to charge me $100.00 more a month and calling me a new enrollment member. I have been having problems with my foot and now limp and can’t see the doctor because of this increase and now they want to make me also wait another month because they said i didn’t pay the correct premium. Its horrible. My rate went up from $200.00 a month to #307.00 a month and i was paying $352.00 BCBS when i got laid off and wasn’t able to afford that and thats why i had no insurance till the Charter Oak plan came out. Its funny how the Governor acts like she is trying to help the people of CT until the plan actually goes into affect then the real truth comes out.
Comment by Priscilla — August 31st, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
This is a horribly pathetic plan. Too costly, and no experienced doctors will take it. So you pay every month and still don’t get the health care. You complain but get no answers because they don’t care. Why should they, it doesn’t affect them.
Comment by Linda — May 27th, 2011 @ 6:59 pm