Insurer to raise Iowa rates 18 percent

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to raise health insurance rates for about 80,000 Iowans an average of 18 percent. Such action is taking place nationwide as health care legislation stalls.

Wellmark spokesman Rob Schweers says rising health care costs are driving the premium increases, to take effect April 1. Last year, Wellmark raised insurance rates for individual policyholders by an average of 9.3 percent.

According to Schweers, about half of Wellmark policyholders who will see rate increases averaging 16 percent buy coverage through the Iowa Farm Bureau. Bureau director Steve Kammayer says agents will meet with members to explore ways to reduce premium costs.

Wellmark obtained approval from the state insurance division for rate increases of up to 22 percent that affect nearly 44,000 people.

Wellmark insures 1.8 million Iowans, most through employers.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.