Tufts Health will rein in rate increases

The Boston Globe, August 3, 2010

Massachusetts insurance regulators yesterday struck a deal with Tufts Health Plan to limit a proposed rate increase for individuals and small businesses, the third settlement with a major health insurer since the state struck down an array of double-digit rate hikes in April.  Tufts agreed to raise rates in a range of 5.8% to 12.8%, starting next month — down from the 11.1% to 22.7% the company had proposed. The pact comes four months after the Division of Insurance denied 235 out of 275 rate increase proposals from Tufts and five other insurance companies, arguing they were excessive or unreasonable. That set up a showdown between Massachusetts officials and insurer.