Blue Cross to pursue increase in R.I. health-insurance rates

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island won’t withdraw its proposed double-digit rate hikes, as requested by state Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller, which means the request will now be aired at a formal rate hearing.

The nonprofit insurer notified Koller on Thursday that it is still seeking to raise its rates — an average of 13.9 percent for small employers and 16.3 percent for large employers — beginning Oct. 1.

Koller also rebuffed rate hikes sought by UnitedHealthCare of New England and Tufts Health Plan and asked the companies to withdraw their requests. Neither has stated its intentions, said John A. Cogan, legal counsel for Koller’s office. One of the insurers did ask for an extension of Friday’s deadline to respond. As a result, said Cogan, the deadline was extended to Thursday.

Read more at The Providence Journal