NEWS
A10 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019
Health insurance rate decisions lower
2020 premiums by $44M
By KATY NESBITT
FOR THE EO MEDIA GROUP
Oregonians signed up for individual
or small group health plans got some
good news last week when the state
announced their fi nal rate decision will
lower premiums in 2020 by $44 million.
The fi nal rates for next year are 2%
lower than the original request fi led by
insurance companies in May and 1%
lower, on average, from the division’s
preliminary rate decisions.
“The rate increases over the years
have been high and the costs for insur-
ance can be something diffi cult to pay,”
said Brad Hilliard, public information
offi cer for Oregon Division of Finan-
cial Regulation.
The division regulates insurance
rates through a two-month review pro-
cess with an open public comment
period. Through that process the state
determines to what extent insurance
providers can raise or lower their rates,
Hilliard said.
The division issued fi nal decisions
for seven companies in the individual
market with average rate changes rang-
ing from a 3.2% decrease to an 8.9%
increase, for an average increase of
1%. Under the decisions, Silver Stan-
dard Plan premiums for a 40-year-old
in Portland would range from $436 to
$530 a month.
The division encourages everyone to
apply for federal subsidies if they don’t
qualify for the Oregon Health Plan
through Medicaid.
“We encourage everyone to apply,”
Hilliard said. “The vast majority who
do qualify for fi nancial help for their
health insurance.”
The state’s announcement gives
those who work for businesses with
fewer than 50 employees or are self-em-
ployed several months to look over the
available policies ahead of the enroll-
ment period between Nov. 1 and Dec.
15.
Since the Affordable Care Act insti-
tuted the individual and small group
markets rates have greatly fl uctuated,
but are becoming more stable and sus-
tainable, Hilliard said.
To determine premium rates Hilliard
said health insurance companies that
offer plans for individuals and small
groups submit fi nancial reports with
enrollment numbers to his division,
kicking off a review process each year
in mid-May. The state’s actuaries look
over the requests and consider a broad
range of factors like medical loss trends.
If the numbers don’t add up, Hil-
liard said the state pushes back on the
insurance companies and determines
what they can charge. Several factors,
such as medical costs, federal policy
changes, the Oregon Reinsurance Pro-
gram, and federal risk adjustment pay-
ments are considered to make sure rates
will adequately cover health care costs.
The reinsurance program — insur-
ance for insurance companies, Hilliard
said — has helped lower rates overall
by 6% a year.
During the public hearings each
insurance company will state their case
and hear what the division has to say
about it, Hilliard said.
“We take into account loss trends
and claims to predict future claims and
to determine what rates should be —
not too high, but high enough to cover
costs,” Hilliard said.
Insurance companies have 21 days
to request a hearing before the fi nal
rates are set for 2020.
More information
More information for each insur-
ance company can be found at
oregonhealthrates.org. A complete
premium comparison table for each
county based on ages 21, 40, and 60
will be posted online in August.
Two taken into
custody for
fi rst-degree theft
The pair were arrested
Monday, July 15 follow-
Two more people were ing a pattern of car prowls
arrested Saturday in con- and a reported burglary,
nection with a
which they are
string of car prowls
believed to have
in Hermiston.
been
involved
with.
Sierra
Dawn
Hermiston
Erickson, 27, and
Police Chief Jason
Tyler Paul Wilcox,
Edmiston
said
32, both of Herm-
Erickson and Wil-
iston, were each
Erickson
cox were found in
arrested for three
possession of sto-
counts of fi rst-de-
len property after
gree theft, four
a search warrant
counts of crim-
was served, but
inal
conspiracy,
that offi cers are
and one count each
still
continuing
of second-degree
an investigation
theft.
of the case and
The arrests are
Wilcox
returning property
part of an ongo-
to owners.
ing
investiga-
First-degree theft is a
tion involving Brenden
Dion Erickson, 18, and a felony, and constitutes the
17-year-old male accom- theft of property valuing
plice, both of Hermiston. over $1,000.
HERMISTON HERALD
EASTERN OREGON
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AUCTION
White River
Ranch
Wamic, Oregon
September 27, 2019
12:00pm
Irrigated Farmland
• Pasture • Range
• Recreation • Residence •
Timber
• Labor Housing
184 Personals
Bids Due September 6,
For Auction Terms &
Conditions Contact
Timmons Law PC
541.296.9900
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color, or border to make your
ad stand out!
Contact Rowan or Chloe at
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CLASSIFIEDS HAVE IT!
360 Garage Sales
classifieds@eastoregonian.com
classifieds@eastoregonian.com
LARGE YARD SALE
Saturday July 20th and Sunday
July 21st
125 Myer Ave, Irrigon
Furniture,
Yard
equipment,
Clothes, Books and Misc!
Something for EVERYONE!
Come See!! 9am - 4pm
Off of Highway 730. Follow the
signs!
502 Real Estate
504 Homes for Sale
504 Homes for Sale
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Week-
end and After Hours Realtor,
for a free Market Analysis.
541.377.9470. More Listings
needed to meet current buyer
demand!
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
RMLS#18381851
Pendleton Property 3 br 2 bath
manufactured home on a big
lot with small 2 b/r 1bath rental
house on same lot. Priced to sell
at $149,990. Call Cathy for more
info. (541) 215-0103.
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
Turn Here Realty & Travel for
all your Real Estate Needs-Call
Kerry 541 377 6855
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave Pendleton
What is on your wishlist??
Prompt, Courteous, Reliable
service with TURN HERE RE-
ALTY to find your New Home
Call Kerry 541 377 6855 . (One
Realtor accessing all listings
available in our area)
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave Pendleton
SIZE UP or SIZE DOWN---Your
new home is waiting for you and
its time for the move -. Call Turn
Here Realty at 541 377 6855
and connect to ALL properties
with ONE reliable Realtor.
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave Pendleton
504 Homes for Sale
601 & 606 SE Emigrant build-
ing for sale. 3582 sq ft plus
full basement. 5000 sq.ft lot.
$79,500 RMLS#18684546 Call
Kal for more info (541) 969-7358
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
$395,000 NEW LISTING Time
to Wash Car Wash. 27,443lot-
witha 3349 building High traffic
area. RMLS#19615657 Call Kal
for more info (541) 969-7358.
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
Storage unit clean out!
Guitars, books, seasonal decor,
BBQ, furniture, lots of hidden
treasures!
Friday from 1 to 5,
Saturday 8 to 3.
Prices are up! Now may be the
time to gain some equity and
move up to a larger home. Call
Matt Vogler for a free Market
Analysis.
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
Sale in the 100th block of SW
Nye.
Follow the signs!
New Listing 712 SE Court . Car
wash or Espresso shop on a very
high traffic intersection. $ 94950
Priced to Sell RMLS#19111739
Call Kal for more info (541) 969-
7358
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
Parking lot sale. Saturday
July 20th. Sale will be at
the Agape House at 500
Harper Road and begins at
8:00 AM. Sale end at 11:00.
Clothing, furniture, and bins
of knick-knacks. Clothing will
be 5 items for $1.00. Furniture
priced as marked and bins
of knick-knacks will be you
name the price.
Estate Sale
July 25th to 28th
7 am to 4 pm
No early sales!
71711 Emigrant Road
in Pendleton.
Antiques, collectibles,
Pendleton Round-Up memo-
rabilia, furnishings, appliances,
glassware (everyday and fancy),
Christmas galore, toys for all
ages, books- books- books!
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Week-
end and After Hours Realtor,
for a free Market Analysis.
541.377.9470. More Listings
needed to meet current buyer
demand!
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
New Listing…
$275,000 3 Bedroom 3 Bath in
Rice Addition. Huge living / Din-
ing room. Fenced back yard. 2
car Garage. Nicely landscaped.
Call Today. MLS# 19166329
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
FIND THE HOME of your dreams
in the Classifieds!
$397,000 – 4 Bedroom 3 Bath
3754 sq. ft. Executive Home.
Panoramic View. Private set-
ting. Wonderful home for pri-
vacy or entertaining.
MLS#
19205109
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
$184,500 – 6 Bed 2.5 Bath on
North Hill. 3000+ sq. ft. Hard-
wood floors upstairs. 2 car
garage. Quiet neighborhood.
Needs cosmetics. Priced to sell.
MLS# 19351147
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
$79,000 – 4 Bedroom 1 Bath
UKIAH home. Good condition
throughout. Newer roof. New-
er oil stove and zonal heaters.
Cash sale only will not finance.
MLS# 19667850
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
$119,000 – 2 Bedroom 1 Bath
Log Cabin near TOLGATE . Ap-
proximately 2 acres. 100 yards
from Snowmobile trail entrance.
Cash only, will not finance.
MLS# 19024843
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
“Our office is wherever you
are”
541-379-8690
Looking for a new place to
live? The classified ads offer
a complete section of homes,
apartments, and mobile
homes to fit your needs.
Check daily for new listings!
SUMMER LISTINGS coming on
market--Call 541 377 6855 to
find the home for you-- TURN
HERE at 305 SW Court or call
541 377 6855
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave Pendleton
Current MLS listings include
several 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 bath
homes for sale in popular loca-
tions. Call Matt Vogler, “The
Weekend and After Hours Re-
altor” for addresses and pricing.
John J. Howard & Assoc.
541.377.9470
1st time home buyers and don’t
know where to begin? I can help
you every step of the way to
owning your own doorstep.
Call Carolyn Rovier
so we can get started!
Ranch-N-Home Realty
541-786-0822
Subscribe to
$239,999- RMLS #18081947
New Listing 4 b/r 1 3/4 bath
North Hill. Freshly painted,
beautiful hardwood floors just
refinished. Great family home.
Call Shane for more info (541)
379-7802.
Garton & Associates
541-276-0931
Call for your classified ad today! 800-962-2819
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