State sets hearings on Anthem rates

AUGUSTA, Maine—The state Bureau of Insurance has scheduled three public hearings next month on a request by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for approval of rate revisions that would result in a 14.5 percent increase in premiums.

Under the plan, premiums would rise 17.2 percent for its HealthChoice product, 7.7 percent for HealthChoice Standard and Basic, and 34.1 percent for Lumenos Consumer Directed Health Plan.

Anthem has asked that the new rates take effect May 1. As of November, there were 12,049 policyholders who would be affected by the revisions.

The hearings were scheduled for March 3 in Orono, March 10 in Portland and March 12 in Gardiner.