Medi-Cal's nine commercial insurers, including giants Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California, will have to bid for new contracts intended to set more rigorous care standards.
Some companies have offered cash to workers who get the vaccine, but as the cost of treating COVID-19 cases skyrocket, businesses are hiking insurance premiums, a penalty for employees who choose to remain unvaccinated.
The sanctions block the Minnetonka-based insurer from selling certain Medicare Advantage plans in six states, which represent a small percentage of United's overall enrollment.
Connecticut consumers will see higher rates in many health insurance plans next year, though not as much of an increase as insurance companies had sought. The state Department of Insurance has approved an average rate hike of 5.6% for individual health plans in 2022. The carriers had requested an average increase of 8.6%.