Oregon Insurance Watchdog

Health insurance companies operate for profit and yet provide valuable health services to Americans, so it is fitting that outside watchdog groups should exist to monitor their activities. Oregon insurance watchdog groups take different forms—some of them are non-profit consumer organizations, and others are regulatory agencies like Oregon 's DCBS (Department of Consumer and Business Services). Its insurance division presents helpful information to consumers, such as how to choose an insurer, and the best way to benefit from an HMO.

The Function of Insurance Watchdogs in Oregon

DCBS works with the state and insurance companies on a policy level and administers state laws regarding insurance. Its consumer division investigates complaints and provides public information in Oregon . In general, insurance watchdogs evaluate practices of companies, advocate for consumers, and disseminate responses and complaints from consumers. They also try to educate the public about their rights with health care companies. On the whole, these organizations try to ensure that insurance companies are not ‘gouging' consumers or taking advantage of their health issues.

Specifically, this could mean over-charging for premiums, rejecting or hassling consumers with claims, or the famed “drive-thru' deliveries which forced mothers to go home a short time after giving birth. Another function of DCBS in Oregon is to evaluate the financial integrity of health insurers and what they charge customers.

Some Other Examples of Insurance Watchdogs

Consumers for Quality Care justify their activity by stating “Wall Street-driven HMOs and other for-profit healthcare corporations are increasingly maximizing profits by limiting care – often putting profits before patients' health.”

Public Citizen is “a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization” that represents consumer interests. It publishes information about dangerous drugs and other health care news.

Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, maintains an extensive web site with public information about choosing a health insurance plan, what to expect from your insurance company, and other useful information. With these insurance watchdogs in Oregon on the prowl, it seems unlikely that any health insurance company would dare to step out of the line.

Health Insurance Nexus | US : The US Health Insurance Resource, conceptualized in Dec, 2004, is an online portal which provides up-to-date, pertinent information about health insurance in US..