Another reprieve for Anthem Blue Cross policyholders as planned May 1 rate hike put on hold

Anthem Blue Cross postponing rate hike again

LOS ANGELES — Anthem Blue Cross has again put a planned rate hike on hold.

The Los Angeles-based health insurance company said this week that policyholders will not see a rate change beginning May 1.

A spokeswoman for Anthem’s parent, Wellpoint Inc., Kristin Binns, told the Los Angeles Times in a story Friday that “Members will receive adequate notification of any rate change. Until they receive information indicating otherwise, rates remain unchanged.”

In January, Anthem notified many individual policyholders that their rates would rise as much as 39 percent March 1. After a public outcry, the company announced a two-month delay.

State law requires insurers to give policyholders at least 30 days’ notice before altering rates.

There’s no word from Anthem on how long the new delay will be.

Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com