SENIORS' HMO COSTS TO RISE: 3 MASS. INSURERS PLAN TO HIKE FEES FOR A SECOND YEAR

For the second consecutive year, the three main Massachusetts HMOs, Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield's HMO Blue, will raise their monthly premiums next year for seniors enrolled in their Medicare HMOs. The amount of the increases varies by county. The highest change listed is Tufts raising monthly premiums from $40 to $107 in Essex county. Harvard Pilgrim's First Seniority plan will increase premiums from $35 to $60 in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Blue Care 65 will increase fees by $25 to $40 per month meaning that monthly rates will range from $110 in Meddlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties to a high of $135 in Barnstable, Bristol and Worcesser counties. The increases must be approved by Medicare and Medicare will then notify members by October 2^nd.

The article notes that the Bush administration is claiming that the solution is more privatization and competition between plans.

-Adapted from an article by Liz Kowalczyk, The Boston Globe staff. 9/18/01 Contact Ellen Forman for more details.

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