Judge backs Hittner on Blue Cross rate hike

(Updated 11:49 a.m.)
PROVIDENCE – A Superior Court judge on Tuesday ruled in favor of Health Insurance Commissioner Kathleen C. Hittner and her decision to approve an insurance rate hike for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island for the upcoming year that had been challenged by Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.
Hittner in August approved a 10.4 percent increase proposed by Blue Cross for its direct-pay plans, which includes plans for those who pay without the help of employers. Kilmartin on Aug. 27 appealed that decision to the Superior Court.
Courts spokesman Craig N. Berke said Superior Court Associate Justice Michael A. Silverstein ruled in favor of Hittner.
“I am of course please that he upheld my decision,” Hittner said. “I felt that I had made the right decision and followed all the rules and regulations and I feel that this” corroborates my actions.

“I believe it truly is in the best interest of the consumer at this time and it will help stabilize rates [moving forward],” she added.

Once the decision is formerly entered in the court’s system, which should happen within the next few days, Kilmartin would have 20 business days to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, according to Berke.
Kilmartin declined to comment on Tuesday’s decision.
Hittner has defended her decision to approve the rate hike, citing the phase out of the temporary federal reinsurance program, previously funded through the Affordable Care Act. The increased rate would allow Blue Cross to apply $4.7 million in unanticipated 2014 reinsurance payments and $577,730 in federal subsidies to shore up its reserves, according to her office.

The increased rate is slated to go into effect on Jan. 1.

- Advertisement -

No posts to display