CID will hold rare public hearing on Anthem’s 2011 increase request

The CT Insurance Dept. has decided to hold a public hearing on Anthem’s requests for 2011 premium increases. The Commissioner was strongly criticized for approving Anthem increases of 47% for the end of this year with little review and no modification. Anthem has not yet submitted their proposal for 2011 rate increases, and the hearing date has not been set. As part of a $1 million federal grant, CID will now publish all insurer rate requests online. Politico is reporting that Commissioner Sullivan, who has been critical of national health reform, was “aggravated” by a strongly worded letter from HHS about the Anthem rate approval given the federal grant. Reportedly, he would have preferred a private phone call over a public letter.
Ellen Andrews