Four of the five insurers offering policies on Arkansas' insurance marketplace next year under the federal health law have proposed rate increases of at least 10 percent.
The Arkansas Insurance Department on Tuesday said QualChoice Life and Health, QCA Health Plan Inc., Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have each proposed the rate increases. The department says Ambetter has proposed a rate increase below 10 percent.
State Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr says he and Gov. Asa Hutchinson do not believe there is substantial justification for the increases. Kerr says he expects to take action to deny the requested rate hikes until there is sufficient justification to properly consider them.
The state has until Aug. 23 to approve rates for next year.
