Meeting scheduled for Blue Cross rate hike request

By Richard Asinof
Contributing Writer
Twitter: @RichardAsinof

CRANSTON – As part of its review of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s request to raise its 2013 rates, R.I. Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller has scheduled a public input meeting on Jan. 9, 2013, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the R.I. Department of Labor and Training offices, 1511 Pontiac Ave., Building 73-1.

In addition, OHIC is also soliciting written public comments, to be sent to healthinsinquiry@ohic.ri.gov by Jan. 11, 2013.

Blue Cross submitted a request on Dec. 7 for an increase in its 2013 rates, based on increases in utilization trends in 2012.

Blue Cross is seeking a 9.1 percent average rate increase for large group employers, 5.12 percentage points higher than the 3.98 percent increase granted by Koller in September. For small group employers, Blue Cross is seeking a 5.1 percent average rate increase for small group employers, 3.45 percentage points higher than the 1.65 average percent rate increase approved by Koller in September.

In a statement, OHIC said it “believes that public input is essential and will take all input received into account in developing its final decision.”