Individual health insurance survey finds consumer protection lacking

A state-by-state study released June 12 found that those with individual health insurance typically have little recourse when their insurer refuses to pay for services, although some protection is available in Ohio (Source: "'The individual health insurance market is still the wild, wild West'," Cleveland Plain-Dealer, June 13, 2008).

The survey of state-level enforcement found that unlike states such as New York, Vermont and Massachusetts, Ohio does not require insurers to sell policies to everyone who applies. However, Ohio regulators do review some rate and premium increases before an insurer can begin charging them and the state has established an external review program that allows consumers to appeal insurance denials.

"The individual health insurance market is still the wild, wild West for America's health care consumers," said Ron Pollack, who heads Families USA, the nonprofit health care consumers' group that conducted the survey.