Regence wants to raise health insurance rates -- again

Regence BlueShield has requested another rate hike for individual health plans to take effect just three months after it raised rates by double digits.

In documents filed with the state last week, the insurer requested an average premium increase of 3.7 percent for individual plans starting Jan. 1. That comes on the heels of 16.4 percent rate hike on Oct. 1.

Regence blamed its latest request, which has not yet been approved by the state, on health care reform. Specifically, it cited mandates to add preventive care benefits, remove lifetime benefit limits, and cover kids with pre-existing conditions.

The state has 60 days to review the rate request.