North Bay Business Journal

Health plans and providers in the North Bay overall received high marks in a state survey from the state Office of the Patient Advocate.

The story “State insurance commissioner presses case for power over health premiums” [March 18, p. 1] had an incorrect figure for savings from Blue Shield’s smaller rate increase.

SONOMA — California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, in Sonoma for a speaking engagement, continued to apply public pressure on Blue Shield of California and other large insurers for recent rate hikes, saying the increases will negatively impact individuals and small businesses disproportionally and that the increases aren’t in tune with national medical inflation rates.

Narrow networks are coming to the North Bay.

Blue Shield of California will launch its SaveNet HMO in Marin and Sonoma counties in 2013, forming a narrow network around Novato-based Meritage Medical Network and Sonoma County Primary Care.

NORTH BAY – In an informal survey of the region’s top insurance brokerages, experts described prospects for the open enrollment season in several recurring and dismal themes: watered-down coverage, double-digit increases and more simply giving up on benefits all together.

When the health-savings-account-based, “consumer-driven” insurance concept was introduced about 10 years ago, it puzzled many and enrolled few, but brokers say with the deepening recession and persistent health benefit cost increases the plans are gaining traction.

Redbud Community Hospital of Lake County changed its name to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake last month after forming a joint operating partnership with St. Helena Hospital in Napa.