Premiums

Covered California Chief Peter Lee has claimed that the state doesn’t need health insurance premium regulation because Covered California is a tough negotiator with the health plans.

A study out yesterday casts doubt on that proposition as researchers reported that Covered California health insurance plans have among the narrowest doctor networks in the nation – the 4th worst record.  

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey showing that 44 percent of Covered California policyholders have difficulty paying health insurance premiums is yet more evidence that California needs health insurance rate regulation. 

In addition to cost hardships for those currently insured, more than 40 percent of uninsured adults said they don’t have insurance because of the high cost of coverage, the report added.