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Wednesday, July 6, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Insurance rates poised to jump
Folks in Sisters Country
can expect their health insur-
ance rates to go up in 2017.
The State of Oregon has
announced its final deci-
sions for 2017 individual and
small-employer health-insur-
ance rates.
The proposed rates are for
plans that comply with the
Affordable Care Act for small
businesses and individuals
who buy their own coverage
rather than getting it through
an employer. The Department
of Consumer and Business
Services must approve any
rates before they can be
charged to policyholders.
Health insurance rates
are an estimate of future
expenses, including medical
and prescription drug claims
costs and administrative
expenses. These estimates
are based on historical data
and forecasts of future trends.
The department reviews
rates to ensure they are rea-
sonable and actuarially
sound — meaning they are
sufficient to cover costs so
that health-insurance com-
panies can pay claims, but
not excessive. This year, the
department found that most
rates were reasonable based
on projected expenses for
2017.
In the individual market,
the division’s final rate deci-
sions range from an average
rate increase of 9.8 percent
to an average rate increase of
32 percent, depending on the
insurance company. Under
the final decisions, Silver
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Standard Plan premiums for
a 40-year-old in Portland
would range from $312 to
$442 a month.
In the small-group market,
the division’s final rate deci-
sions range from an average
rate decrease of 8.9 percent to
an average rate increase of 17
percent. Silver Standard Plan
premiums for a 40-year-old
in Portland would range from
$266 to $362 a month.
Tammy Taylor of Fullhart
Insurance in Sisters said it’s
too early to provide a similar
figure for a plan in Sisters.
At this point,
don (Fullhart) and I
are thinking we’re
just going to sell
what’s available to us.
— tammy taylor
“It’s kind of an unknown
right now,” she said.
That’s in part due to the
fact that Providence Health
Plan and Moda Health — two
of the insurers that Fullhart
has worked with the most in
the past — will not be avail-
able in Deschutes County,
Taylor said.
“At this point, Don
(Fullhart) and I are thinking
we’re just going to sell what’s
available to us,” Taylor said.
Should locals expect to
see higher rates?
“I would say yes,” Taylor
said.
“Health-insurance rates
should generally follow
trends in the cost of medi-
cal care,” said Laura Cali,
insurance commissioner and
administrator of the Division
of Financial Regulation.
“However, there are several
additional factors — such as
the end of federal programs
and the recent losses expe-
rienced by insurers — that
make higher increases neces-
sary for insurers to meet their
obligations to policyholders
in 2017.”
Final rates, a summary
of the state of the individual
and small group markets,
and the final decision infor-
mation for each carrier can
be found at www.oregon
healthrates.org. Statewide
premium comparison tables
for ages 21, 40, and 60 will
be posted online in late
July.
Shop hosts evening
of cowgirl poetry
Jill Charlotte Stanford and
Kate Aspen invite the public
to the campfire in front of
Cowgirls & Indians, 160 S.
Oak St. in Sisters at 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 7, for an eve-
ning of cowgirl poetry and
stories with Jessica Hedges.
This event kicks off Jill
Stanford’s newest book,
“She Speaks to Me: Western
Women’s View of the Real
West Through Poetry and
Song,” to be released in
September by Two Dot
Publications/Globe Pequot
Publishers.
Hedges is in the book,
along with 30 other award-
winning cowgirl poets and
songwriters, and a few of
those poems and stories will
be read and told at the event.
Jessica Hedges of
Lovelock, Nevada, shares
her real-life adventures as a
day-working cowboy, wife
of a cowboss, and mom to
two “buckaroos in train-
ing” through her poetry and
stories.
The Sisters on the Fly will
be special guests at the camp-
fire. One of their tiny, deco-
rated trailers will be there
Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben
and the Sisters would love to
answer questions about their
group.
There will be CDs of
Jessica’s poetry available for
purchase, as well as all Jill
Stanford’s books.
The event is free and open
to the public. Bring a chair
and enjoy a real Western
experience.
GET READY FOR
SUMMER TRAVEL
S
General, Cosmetic, Implant
and Family Dentistry
~ Over 22 years Serving Sisters ~
photo provided
Jessica hedges.
Tires, Suspension,
Brakes & Alignment
We are preferred providers for Delta Dental PPO and Premier,
MODA, Advantage, Pacifi c Source, Cigna and the V.A.
DAVIS TIRE
541-549-0109
188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage
|
304 W. Adams Ave.
|
Sisters
541-549-1026
Serving Sisters Since 1962.
presents
LCB#9352
Mini Film Fest
& FREE BEER!
GREAT FLY-FISHING
SHORT FILMS
Wednesday, July 6 through
Friday, July 8, 3 to 6 p.m.
Book signing with Gary Lewis
for the new edition of
“FISHING CENTRAL OREGON”
Friday, July 9, 2 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 16, 2016 • 10 am to 3 pm
Along E. Main Avenue in Sisters
Classic car show for models up to 1989.
Enjoy music, raffl e prizes, awards and mor e!
Contact SPRD for information or to register, 541-549-2091
SistersRecreation.com | 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd.
SNO CAP
151 W. Main Ave., Sisters
541-549-FISH | Open 7 days a week
MINI STORAGE
Sisters Industrial Park
157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575
www.SistersStorage.com
• State-of-the-art
Security Technology
• Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40
• Individual Gate Codes
• Long-term Discounts
• On-site Manager
Welcome, Quilters!
SOUP OF THE DAY
July 6th - July 12th
Wed ...............Navy Bean & Ham
Thurs ................ Split Pea & Ham
Fri ....Clam Chowder & Vegetable
Sat...........Cajun Chicken Gumbo
Connect with
us for great
specials!
Sun ........................... Beef Barley
Mon ...........................Black Bean
Tues ................... Beef Stroganoff
Orders to go
welcome
Breakfast & lunch 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Nightly dining until 10 p.m. (21 & over)
171 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters | 541-549-2631