by Krystal Paco

Guam - Brace yourselves. Starting January, health insurance premiums are set to increase. While addressing Rotarians this morning, Calvo's Selectcare's Frank Campillo says this is a direct result of the ongoing healthcare reform and the health exchange that's left Guam shortchanged.

Specifically, the island will only receive $3.7 million in additional Medicaid funds whereas the 50 states will receive 100% for individuals who are new qualifiers for Medicaid.

"I recently heard from the director of Public Health that just the island of Guam, before the fiscal year was finished for Public Health, we had about 200 to $3 million in actual billings for people who are in our Medicaid program," he said. "Our Medicaid program does not have all that money to take care of our Medicaid population."

We should note, it was just last month insurance companies also expressed the need to increase premiums if proposed fee increases to all services at the Guam Memorial Hospital take effect. Those however have been put on hold temporarily.