Mass. health insurers want big rate hikes starting next month

BOSTON - Massachusetts health insurance companies have asked the state to approve significant rate hikes, weeks after Gov. Deval Patrick warned his administration might turn down increases it deemed excessive.

The insurers have asked for increases of 8 to 32 percent, starting on April 1.

Last month, Patrick said the state Division of Insurance would review rate increases higher than 4.8 percent as part of a broader effort to control health care expenses.

The Boston Globe reports that if the state rejects the increases, it would be the first time Massachusetts has capped health insurance rates.

Insurers say the increases are mostly the result of a rise in medical spending. They say if the state caps the rates, it would cause confusion because contracts have already been negotiated under the higher rates.