California Health Care Chief To Keep Close Eye On Insurers
OAKLAND (KCBS) - California's top health care administrator has vowed to track the actions of insurers because of the new law on health care reform.
California Department of Managed Health Care director Cindy Ehnes said her department will be closely monitoring the rates that insurance companies charge.
The DMHC is the state's HMO watchdog agency and oversees healthcare for 21 million Californians. Ehnes was in Oakland recently talking about the March 1st open enrollment deadline for parents who want healthcare for their children with pre-existing conditions.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
"We will look at what rate was charged, and how it corresponds to the standard risk rate," said Ehnes. "We want to know when the 20 percent surcharge was applied, and make sure it was applied appropriately."
Ehnes said that a parent may face a premium increase of 20 percent under the law if he or she fails to get their child enrolled by the March 1st deadline.
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