RI Health Insurance Commissioner approves rate increases

The annual ritual continues.  Health Insurance Commissioner Chris Koller has approved health insurance rate increases for small and large employers.

The range of the average increase is between 8.4% and 12.3 %.  Koller has also issued some conditions on the health plans, requiring them to work with hospitals to decrease costs and improve quality of care.

To see the press release, which includes average rate increases plan by plan broken down by small businesses and large businesses, go here.

An explanation of  Koller’s conditions is here.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts is speaking out against the rate increases, calling them unaffordable.

And the Rhode Island Hospital Association is saying its members depend on these rate increases so the health plans can pay them enough money for their services.

For a little more perspective on rate increases, check out my earlier post.