Culver letter prompts Wellmark to delay rate hike
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa's largest health insurance provider
will delay a planned premium increase after Gov. Chet Culver raised
questions about the higher rates to the state insurance
commissioner.
Culver sent a letter Monday to Insurance Commissioner Susan
Voss, expressing concern about Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue
Shield's average 18 percent increase in premiums for roughly 80,000
Iowans with individual policies. He asked Voss to hire an
independent actuary to review Wellmark's proposed rate increase,
and that such a step should be taken whenever a health insurer
proposes a rate increase.
Wellmark spokesman Rob Schweers say the increase will be delayed
until May 1.
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