Ruling would allow Blue Cross rate increases

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - State regulators will allow Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to increase rates for some individual health insurance policies. But it's unclear what the final rate increase will be for the fewer than 20,000 customers under age 65 covered by the policies.

The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation said Friday it rejected the company's request for a 24.3 percent rate increase, but Blue Cross said an increase of 23 percent would be allowable under the ruling.

The rate increase includes a temporary 10 percent increase instituted while the case was being debated. A final decision by state regulators could be appealed in court.

State regulators rejected Blue Cross's request for an additional rate increase based on delays in the case.