Blue Cross of Michigan rate raises fought

A couple has filed an appeal challenging a decision by Michigan's insurance commissioner to let Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan raise rates for about 18,000 non-elderly people who buy their own policies. At issue is an Aug. 18 ruling by state Insurance Commissioner Ken Ross approving rate hikes averaging 15.2% for seven Blue Cross plans. The increases bring monthly premiums for a family with two high-benefit plans to $1,636 a month, up from $1,164, as they were in April 2006 when Blue Cross sought the rate hike. The cheapest family plans went up to $562 from $459 a month.