Congressional Delegation Requests Audit of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation have written to the state’s Insurance Commissioner requesting an independent audit of health insurer Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. They’re concerned over rate hikes that were allowed by the department last year. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports.

Anthem is one of two insurers that have recently withdrawn big rate requests in California because of mathematical errors or incorrect data contained in their calculations. Last year, Anthem was granted permission by the Connecticut Insurance Department to raise rates on plans sold to individuals by as much as 20%. While this was less than the company requested, the congressional delegation is concerned that the rate case may now be suspect in light of events in California. Congressman Chris Murphy:

"In Connecticut, Anthem asked for 35 and 40% rate increases, and we brought them back to 15 and 20. That still kills families and small businesses out there. When I talk to physicians who are getting rate cuts, when I talk to my constituents who are getting less things, not more things approved, it’s really hard to figure out where all that extra money goes. And I would like to see an independent auditor do the dirty work to figure out where all of that extra money is ending up."

Insurance Commissioner Thomas Sullivan says he had already reopened Anthem’s rate filing in light of information from the California Insurance Department. He says his staff is in the process of reviewing the filing to ensure that Connecticut consumers were not adversely affected by any mathematical errors.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.