Blue Cross Seeks Interim Rate Increase In Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan wants permission to quickly raise rates for about 400,000 of its health insurance customers.

The company said Friday it is seeking interim rate increases on policies bought by people who typically aren't covered by employer or government plans. The interim rates would be in place until state regulators decide a more permanent rate increase request filed by Blue Cross earlier this year.

The proposed interim rate increases range from nearly 29 percent to 44 percent. Those rates are lower than the 31 percent to 56 percent increases sought in the filing earlier this year.

It's possible the request for lower interim rates could factor into deciding the longer-term rate requests now pending before state regulators.