The state Division of Insurance has approved and filed first-quarter base rates for health insurers with increases that top out at 9.9 percent.
By filing the rates before Jan. 1, the division allows insurance carriers time to get rate information to brokers and agents with time to spare.
Last April, the division shot down nearly all of the small business health insurance rate increases planned by insurers after Gov. Deval Patrick filed emergency legislation that required insurers to file proposed rate increases 30 days prior to be enacted.
April’s rates carried increases that ranged from 8 percent to 35 percent.
The division said it has approved all 329 filings received from seven insurance carriers. The rates are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.
