BOSTON—Major health insurers in Massachusetts have had to temporarily stop writing new policies for small businesses amid a rate dispute with the Patrick administration.
A message posted Tuesday on a state Web site connecting businesses with insurers said "insurers must pull their Commonwealth Choice plans until they reset the rates. We expect new rates soon."
An administration spokesman says he expects new rates by Friday.
On Monday, six leading insurers requested a court hearing Thursday in response to the administration's decision to reject the bulk of their 2010 premium rate increases. Gov. Deval Patrick says double-digit premium increases are preventing businesses from creating jobs.
The insurers accuse him of acting arbitrarily and seeking political advantage as the Democrat seeks re-election against a field that includes former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care president Charles Baker, a Republican.
