Kaiser announces increase in premiums

Kaiser Permanente is planning to increase premiums about 4 percent increase this year, says Mike Ferm, sales director for the Rocky Mountain Division of Kaiser Permanente.

“Rates have been artificially held down for the past three years because of the competition. Other HMOs are raising premiums next year, too, from about 4 to 8 percent on average. Some more, some less.”

“Kaiser lost about $4.4 million in the first half of 1997,” says Ferm, “due to higher expenses and increased utilization.”

Colorado was No. 2 in…