Policyholders testify against Anthem Blue Cross rate increases

Hartford Courant, July 21, 2009

Anthem Blue Cross is seeking approval from the Connecticut Insurance Department for increases averaging 23%, running as high as 32%. They would apply to about 56,000 individual policies bought by consumers under 65. During questioning, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal quizzed Anthem officials on profits. George Siriotis, regional vice president of individual sales at Anthem, said rising healthcare costs, including what he called unnecessary testing, use of brand-name medication, and the heavy use of diagnostic imaging have forced the rate increases.