The insurer had postponed its planned hike for two months amid public outcry, and a spokeswoman says there won’t be an increase in May.http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-anthem-20100424,0,2564830.storyThousands of Anthem Blue Cross policyholders who faced steep rate hikes on May 1 will get at least a temporary reprieve after California's largest for-profit health insurer extended a two-month postponement prompted by public outrage over the proposed increases.
But there was no word from the insurance company on how long this new delay will be.
Anxious customers have been waiting to hear from the Woodland Hills company about a jump in their premiums of as much as 39%. A spokeswoman for Anthem's parent, WellPoint Inc., said this week that the insurer's 800,000 California members who buy individual policies will see no difference in their bills at this point.
"They should not experience a rate change beginning May 1," said Kristin Binns. "Members will receive adequate notification of any rate change. Until they receive information indicating otherwise, rates remain unchanged."