Letters: Insurance lament

Re “Anthem plans average rate hike of 18%,” Business, Nov. 28

Anthem Blue Cross’ spokesman may blame his company’s rising costs on the economic downturn, which he says causes people to avoid buying insurance. But as a longtime Anthem policyholder, that’s not the reason I’ve thought about dropping coverage. Plain and simple, it’s Anthem’s double-digit rate increases. Nothing else I purchase increases in cost this much.

Not too long ago, I received a tiny refund check because Anthem failed to meet the minimum requirement that 80% of premiums go toward medical costs. Maybe Anthem should start getting more efficient before blaming everyone else for why policyholders are leaving.

Steven Coker

Los Angeles

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