Bay State Calls For New Health Program Bids

Current plans call for deductibles for that coverage to be as high as $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families, but the plans could not impose annual or lifetime spending limits, and the products could not include an annual maximum, lifetime maximum or maximum benefit per illness or injury, officials say.

Originally, the products also could not exclude coverage for prescription drugs.

The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Boston, urged the Connector board to take a more flexible approach toward drug coverage, noting that many consumers and employers have bought plans that do not provide drug coverage.

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Santa Monica, Calif., says Massachusetts should push down program costs by forcing health care providers, health insurers and health maintenance organizations to justify their prices rather than by watering down program benefits.