Health insurers seek 2012 rate increases of up to 20 percent

PROVIDENCE – Commercial health insurers requested rate hikes of between 4.8 percent and 20.1 percent for group plans for 2012, in filings with the R.I. Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.
UnitedHealthcare of New England has requested the largest increase for 2012 – 18 percent for small-group plans (for businesses with 50 or fewer employees) and 20.1 percent for large-group plans (for businesses with more than 51 employees).
By comparison, in 2010, UnitedHealthcare requested an 11.6 percent increase in premiums for large groups but received only a 6 percent increase. In 2011, it requested an 11.7 percent increase in premiums but an 8.4 percent increase was approved.
Tufts Health Plan of Rhode Island requested the smallest increase in premiums for 2012 – 4.8 percent for both small and large group plans.
By comparison, in 2010, Tufts requested 9.7 percent increase in premiums for large groups and received a 9.3 percent hike. In 2011, Tufts requested an 11.6 percent increase and received a 10.2 percent increase.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has requested a 10.5 percent increase in 2012 for both large and small group plans. By comparison, in 2010, Blue Cross requested a 16.3 percent increase and received a 9.9 percent hike in premiums for large groups. In 2011, Blue Cross requested a 13.4 percent increase and received a 9.8 percent hike in premiums. &#8226