David Lazarus wrote an article for the LA Times last week, “Chiropractic visits lead to higher premium insurance” detailing the situation of Liza France, a healthy Hollywood resident whose insurance costs rose 25% a month after disclosing she sees a chiropractor a few times a year.
A spokesperson for her provider, Anthem Blue Cross, was a little vague about the details:
“France said a service rep for the insurer explained that chiropractic treatment is riskier, and that’s why her premiums would be higher.
Anthem’s Slowey declined to elaborate on the company’s policy regarding the perceived risks of chiropractic care. But he said higher premiums are typically based on underlying medical conditions, not the treatment that people receive.”
After a day or Lazarus calling around, Anthem changed it’s tune.
“He told me they had decided to lower my premium back to $113,” she said.
Did he say why?
“No. No explanation. He just said they had reevaluated my situation. That’s all.”
Like I say, there’s a reason we’re talking about healthcare reform. This is why.”
February 9th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
That’s weird usually they just raise the premiums with explanation.