WATERTOWN, Mass. – Tufts Health Plan yesterday withdrew its Rhode Island rate hike request for next year, reluctantly agreeing to “re-evaluate” its proposal in light of Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller’s contention that all three local health plans’ requests were “unaffordable.”

In a letter to Koller released this morning, Tufts stressed that its request had been based on a “thoughtful and deliberate process to ensure that premiums remain as low as possible, while the needs of our customers and the solvency of our health plan are protected.”

Tufts’ request, which a company executive had estimated would result in average premium hikes of about 10 percent over the health plan’s initial rates in Rhode Island, was still lower than its two competitors’, the letter noted, and it included no surplus and no startup costs.

Increases in medical costs were the “key driver” of the requested hikes, Tufts said, and the company continues to believe that “our proposed rate factors are fair.”

“We remain committed to serving new and existing clients while we work with [Koller’s office] to address any questions or concerns in order to refile in the fall,” concludes the letter, which is signed by Kristin L. Lewis, Tufts’ director of public policy and government affairs.

“However,” she added, “we continue to believe our resources and those of the state are better spent by focusing public attention on the true drivers of affordability of health care coverage in Rhode Island and the effect of rising medical costs on premiums.”

Tufts is the second of the three insurers to respond to Koller’s request to withdraw the rate hike proposals.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, which had sought an average 13.9 percent hike in its small-group rates and an average 16.3 percent hike for large groups, announced on June 25 that it would not withdraw its request, saying it stood to lose $125 million otherwise.

Public hearings on the Blue Cross request are to begin July 14. Koller has appointed Providence attorney Raymond A. Marcaccio to preside over the hearings, in which Blue Cross’ position will be countered by the attorney general’s office, which acts as a consumer advocate in these matters. Other interested parties can petition to intervene as well.

UnitedHealthcare of New England, which is seeking rate hikes of 11.5 percent for large groups and 13.2 percent for small groups, has not said publicly what it intends to do yet. The deadline for withdrawing the rate factors or seeking a hearing is today.

To learn more about the rate hikes, go to www.ohic.ri.gov.