Consumers should review new health insurance policies closely for “hidden premiums,” including narrow provider networks, high deductibles and climbing cost-sharing that can result in major unexpected medical bills, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Health insurance rates released by Covered California today increased an average 4 percent for 2016, similar to projected rate increases reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation in major metropolitan areas around the country.

Insurance regulators in other states have the power to reduce these proposed rate increases before they are final, if a review finds they are unjustified, but regulators in California do not have that authority.

Randy Paige has the story.