A Scoop With A Capital "S"? ...

This isn't so much to gloat as to express surprise: Rarely does a newspaper of our size beat EVERYONE, including the big-city types, to an important regional story. But I think we might have in reporting last night at 27east that Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield is poised to pull most of its small group plans from New York, apparently angered over the state's refusal to allow higher rates over the last five quarters.

The change will go into effect in April, and though Empire says it doesn't plan to drop out of the small group market in New York, that seems dubious--the effect will be that only a couple of unattractive plans will remain, and it seems like a way to make a fast exit. Or at least to threaten one as a way to open negotiations with the state for higher rates.

The key here is that there are only a handful of options for small-business owners in New York as it stands, when it comes to health insurance plans. If Empire, the largest of the bunch, were to pull out, it will leave most businesses with even fewer options, and likely higher rates.

Anyway, the story is starting to be picked up by larger outlets--Crain's New York, a key business publication, being the first (AFTER THE PRESS, that is)--so when you see it, just remember: You read it here first. Hee-hee.

http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-End/404493/Source-Empire-Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-Set-To-Drop-Most-Of-Its-Small-Group-Plans-In-New-York

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111104/HEALTH_CARE/111109952