3 Insurers Agree To Delay Calif Rate Increases

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Customers of three California health insurers will get some breathing room after the companies agreed to delay rate increases for 60 days.

State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said Thursday that Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and PacifiCare agreed to the delay to give the state Department of Insurance time to examine their recent rate filings.

The insurance commissioner cannot reject premium increases, but Jones says he will use the additional time to make sure the rate proposals comply with federal and state laws.

Blue Shield of California previously rejected Jones' request for a delay of its latest increase, which will take effect March 1 and will be the third premium hike since October.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)