RI health insurance premiums going up

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner has approved premium increases for the state's insurers, although not as much as had been requested.

Commissioner Christopher Koller Wednesday approved rates for 2011 that were about one to three percentage points below the double-digit hikes requested by insurers.

The state's largest provider, Blue Cross , secured approval for increases averaging 9.8 percent both for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, and large businesses. Blue Cross had sought hikes of 12.4 percent to 13.4 percent.

UnitedHealthCare received permission to boost rates 12.3 percent and 8.4 percent. The company had sought hikes of 15.5 percent and 11.7 percent.

Tufts won approval for hikes of 11 percent and 10.2 percent. It had requested increases of up to 12.4 percent.