You asked which Medicare Supplement Insurance firms agree, either by contract or orally, not to increase the premium for the first six months of a policy's issuance date.

SUMMARY

While you asked which firms agree not to increase premiums for the first six months of a policy's issuance date, we found that most of those that agree not to increase premiums do so for a period of one year. Four firms agree not to increase an insured's premium for the first year of a policy's issuance date, one guarantees for six months, and one does so for four months. Four firms guarantee this in writing while two do not. In addition, four firms have a policy to change rates once a year. Therefore, at these firms, an insured could have the same rate for one year or less, depending on when the insured purchases the policy and the date the change occurs. Finally, five firms do not guarantee rates.

INSURANCE FIRMS THAT CONTRACTUALLY AGREE NOT TO INCREASE RATES FOR ONE YEAR

· American Progressive Life & Health Insurance Co. of NY

· Combined Insurance Co. of America

· Life Investors Insurance Company of America

· Monumental Life

INSURANCE FIRMS THAT AGREE, BUT NOT CONTRACTUALLY, NOT TO INCREASE RATES

· United American Insurance Co. has a four month rate guarantee.

· United Health Care/AARP has a six month rate guarantee.

INSURANCE FIRMS THAT CHANGE RATES ONCE A YEAR

· Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CT, Inc.

· Bankers Life & Casualty

· Nationwide Life Insurance Co.

· Mutual of Omaha

INSURANCE FIRMS THAT DO NOT GUARANTEE RATES

· Celtic Life

· Central States Health & Life Co. Omaha

· Conseco Direct Life Insurance Co.

· Oxford Life Insurance Co.

· USAA Life Insurance Co.

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