By: Jenny Deam
June 1, 2016
Houston Chronicle
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the state’s largest insurer, has asked for rate hikes of nearly 60 percent for next year in three popular HMO plans, filings with federal regulators show.
The company, which is the only carrier to offer health coverage in all of Texas’ 254 counties, would not specify Wednesday what would happen if does not get the rate increase it says it needs.
No final decisions have been made regarding our 2017 Texas offerings,” spokesman Gustavo Bujanda said in a statement emailed to the Houston Chronicle.
“The rates we have submitted for review and approval are supported by strong actuarial principles, science and data,” the statement continued.
According to filings listed on healthcare.gov, Blue Cross and Blue Shield seeks increases between 57.33 percent and 59.35 percent for two of its Blue Advantage Plus plans. A Blue Advantage Health Maintenance Organization Plan is asking for a 58.6 percent hike.