Michigan AG Suing Blue Cross

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is suing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). The lawsuit stems from issues that arose in the Michigan State Senate Health Policy Committee in April, 2008, prompting an investigation by Cox's office.

The three count lawsuit from the state's top law enforcement official charges BCBSM with violating the terms of Public Act 350 of 1980, improper contributions to an insurance company, and breaching the terms of the purchase agreement that enabled BCBSM to acquire the Accident Fund.

"Michigan law is clear. It prohibits Blue Cross from purchasing CompWest Insurance Company. And the law prohibits Blue Cross from using subscriber funds 'to operate or subsidize in any way' the Accident Fund, unless it is a loan that's paid back in full," Cox said. "Subscriber funds were used so Blue Cross could purchase a for-profit company. And consumers, the sick and the elderly have paid higher premiums because funds that could have been used to lower their costs were diverted for this purchase."

Cox's investigation reportedly showed that BCBSM transferred $125 million to the Accident Fund in November, 2007. The Accident Fund purchased CompWest Insurance Company of California for $127 million in November, 2007.

"Michigan law prohibits Blue Cross from purchasing a for-profit worker's compensation company other than the Accident Fund," Cox noted. "And if Blue Cross does transfer subscriber money to the Accident Fund, it must be in the form of a loan, not a gift that is never repaid."

Cox is asking the court to force BCBSM to divest itself of CompWest Insurance Company. Alternatively, the Attorney General asks the court to force BCBSM to recover the $125 million of subscriber funds it transferred to the Accident Fund in November, 2007. BCBSM is a tax-exempt, charitable and benevolent institution, established by State law as a nonprofit organization in 1939. BCBSM's surplus has reportedly more than doubled in value from 2001 to 2006, increasing from $1.3 billion to $2.8 billion.

At the same time, BCBSM's individual premium rates have reportedly increased by 79% from 2003 to 2007, while Group Conversion premium rates have escalated even more, up by 92% from 2003 through 2007.

"Michigan consumers are being squeezed by high gas prices, mortgage foreclosures and high unemployment rates. They shouldn't also have to pay higher health care premiums so Blue Cross can go on a spending spree and grab up for-profit insurance companies," Cox concluded.