Several Connecticut congressmen are asking state insurance regulators to probe allegations that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Hamden supplied faulty data to support its request for steep rate hikes in Connecticut.
Democratic representatives Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, John Larson, Chris Murphy and Jim Himes said they wrote Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas Sullivan Tuesday, calling on his office to investigate exorbitant insurance rate increases requested by Anthem.
Anthem recently withdrew its request for a 39-percent rate increase for plans it operates in California after that state’s regulators cited incorrect data and assumptions used and made by Anthem to justify its proposed rate increase.
Anthem made similar rate requests in Connecticut, and although the largest requests were rejected, increases of as much as 20 percent were approved. The letter requests that Sullivan’s office conduct an independent audit of Anthem’s request to ensure consumer fairness and protection. Such an audit was also recommended by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Sullivan, in a statement, said he received the letter and has instructed his office “to leave no stone unturned and once again review Anthem’s rate filings” to ensure that Connecticut consumers “were not adversely impacted by any mathematical errors in Anthem’s filing.”
In a statement, Anthem vowed its cooperation with the agency.
“Anthem respects the commissioner’s responsibility to ensure rate accuracy and adequacy and will continue to cooperate as needed,” the company said.
Larson, D-1st District, said in a media statement accompanying a copy of the letter, that Connecticut consumers must be protected from unjustified rate increases just so they can obtain quality, affordable health care coverage.
“The Affordable Care Act was passed to shield families, small businesses, and individuals from these egregious practices,” he said. “I hope Commissioner Sullivan, in accordance with Secretary Sebelius’ request, reviews Anthem’s approved rate increase to ensure our citizens are not unfairly burdened.”
Courtney, DeLauro, Himes and Murphy echoed Larson’s concerns in their statement.
“We have certainly learned through the health reform process that private health insurance companies have been overcharging their customers for years,” said Murphy, D-5th District. “We owe it to people to do everything we can to make sure that Connecticut customers are paying a fair, not inflated, rate for health insurance coverage.”
