The two New York-based insurers — Metropolitan Life Insurance and Unum Life Insurance — requested rate increases ranging from 20 percent to 95 percent and 0 percent to 114 percent, respectively.
South Florida consumers said they felt “scammed,” as the insurers allegedly “aggressively marketed” plans to consumers to make them think their premiums would remain stagnant and long-term care benefits would continue after years of paying.
The companies responded by saying the increases are necessary, citing rising costs and prolonged life expectancy. They also denied that agents were told to say rates would remain the same. MetLife and Unum are providing consumers other options like reduced benefits if they wish to pay lower premiums or benefits equal to the amount of premiums they have paid in if they wish to cease paying the insurers altogether.
Comments will be considered until Aug. 23 and then state regulators will make a decision whether to approve the rates.
More articles about payer issues:
Judge sets Anthem-Cigna trial date, says ruling unlikely in 2016
Thousands of Kansas state employees face between 9% and 30% premium hikes
Medical University Hospital sues BlueCross BlueShield of SC for alleged nonpayment
