Connecticut regulators OK rate hikes lower than Anthem sought

The Connecticut Insurance Department rejected a rate hike request from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for individual health policies. The department followed through with its earlier promise to deny Anthem's request for premium increases as high as 32%. The department instead recommended increases between 13% and 20%, and said the rates would be effective Jan. 1, not Oct. 1, as the company had requested. About 56,000 policies are affected statewide.