Health Insurance Provider Will Shelve Credit Card 'Convenience' Fee

by Clinton Hultman
Credit Cards › Credit Card News & Reviews
Health Insurance Provider Will Shelve Credit Card 'Convenience' Fee

After receiving scrutiny from California officials, one of the nation's largest health insurance companies will soon eliminate a large fee it planned to charge policyholders when they used a credit card to pay for coverage.

Anthem Blue Cross originally planned to introduce a $15 "convenience fee" on all credit card payments, but has since backed off that decision after the California attorney general's office began to question the move's legality, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. The company is one of the largest health insurance providers in the Golden State.

Anthem originally notified members that it would do away with automatic credit card payments on August 1, and any further payments with this type of account would require policyholders to call a customer service representative each month and pay the large fee, the report said. It also informed customers of a new $2 fee for receiving paper bills in the mail.

Many companies are now in search of ways to cover the cost of rising credit card interchange fees, which may only increase due to a new federal law limiting those for debit purchases.

Credit Card Offers

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply Now
[ Learn more ]
  • Earn 100 Reward Dollars after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of Cardmembership.
  • Earn Cash Back: 3% at US supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 2% at US gas stations & select US dept stores, 1% on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
  • Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Simple and Straightforward: With the Blue Cash Everyday Card, you can start earning cash back. No rotating reward categories. No enrollment required.
  • No annual fee, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable rate, currently 12.99%-21.99% with flexibility to pay over time.
  • Terms and Restrictions Apply.
Apply Now
Intro APR Purchases Intro APR Balance Transfer Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
0.00%-12 mths* N/A* 12.99%-21.99% Variable* $0* Excellent Credit*
Intro APR Purchases 0.00%-12 mths*
Intro APR Balance Transfer N/A*
Regular APR 12.99%-21.99% Variable*
Annual Fee $0*
Credit Needed Excellent Credit*
Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card Apply Now
[ Learn more ]
  • Enjoy up to 7 Free Nights To Start!
  • New! Smart Chip Technology and No Foreign Transaction Fees!
  • Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations
  • Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies & restaurants
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
  • Receive 1 free night stay after account approval and each year upon account anniversary
  • Cardmembers achieve Silver Elite status with 15 nights credit toward Elite status
Apply Now
Intro APR Purchases Intro APR Balance Transfer Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
N/A* N/A* 15.24% Variable* First Year Free, then $85* Excellent Credit*
Intro APR Purchases N/A*
Intro APR Balance Transfer N/A*
Regular APR 15.24% Variable*
Annual Fee First Year Free, then $85*
Credit Needed Excellent Credit*
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card Apply Now
[ Learn more ]
  • Get 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.*
  • There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer.
  • Citi(R) Price Rewind searches for a lower price. Learn how you can get lower price after you purchase an item.
  • Let our 24/7 concierge service help book your hotel rooms, flights and more.
  • Enjoy special access to presale tickets, preferred seating, VIP packages, and unique entertainment experiences through Citi Private Pass(R).
  • $0 liability on unauthorized purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions
  • No annual fee*
Apply Now
Intro APR Purchases Intro APR Balance Transfer Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
0%-18 mths* 0%-18 mths* 11.99%-21.99% (Variable)* $0* Excellent Credit*
Intro APR Purchases 0%-18 mths*
Intro APR Balance Transfer 0%-18 mths*
Regular APR 11.99%-21.99% (Variable)*
Annual Fee $0*
Credit Needed Excellent Credit*