Kreidler statement on Regence's proposed 14.7 percent rate hike

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Regence BlueShield, one of Washington state's largest health insurers, is proposing an average 14.7 percent hike in premiums for its customers who buy coverage on their own.

Even with that increase, the company says it would also face a loss of $4.5 million from its surplus, which currently exceeds $1 billion.

Here's state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler's statement on the proposal:

“We’ve just received this request. It will undergo a rigorous review by our actuaries.

“Regence contends that even with this increase, it would lose $4.5 million from the company’s surplus. To put that in perspective, that’s less than half of 1 percent of the company’s $1 billion surplus.

“In fact, Regence could continue to lose $4.5 million annually for the next 220 years and it would still have a surplus.

“A similar request by a sister company, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, sought a 6.4 percent increase, starting August 1, 2012. But after our review and objections, it withdrew the request today. Any future rate request will face the same thorough scrutiny.”