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Most Florida health insurers conceal 2015 premium prices

Consumer advocates are pushing for the release of rate filings by the state’s health insurers, saying Floridians shouldn’t be kept in the dark on premium prices for next year.

All but two of the dozen health insurers that want to sell plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace failed to indicate on forms posted on a state website whether they’re seeking an increase or decrease in their monthly premium prices.

Instead, they entered “0” in the box for proposed rate changes, claiming the information is protected under a trade secrets statute. They privately submitted the figures to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Though state regulators will publish the rate proposals as part of a report at the end of this month, consumer group Florida CHAIN said that’s not enough.

Entire Article: .pdf | Tampa Bay Times