Patrick Administration: Mass. Insurer Rate Hikes Slowing

Massachusetts' biggest insurers are slowing the rate of increases in health care premiums.

State Insurance Commissioner Joseph Murphy said the rate increases placed on file for the new year range from nearly 3 percent to just under 10 percent.

Murphy said that marks a change from earlier this year when the division rejected 235 of 274 rate changes filed by the state's health insurers, saying they were excessive.

Placing the new rates on file before Jan. 1 will give insurers time to get rate information to brokers and agents.

Massachusetts Association of Health Plans President Lora Pellegrini said more work is needed to bring down the overall cost of health care.

The new rates apply to seven carriers: Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Fallon, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, Connecticare, Health New England, and Neighborhood.