The state Insurance Department has held hearings on two rate increase requests.  Commissioner Katherine Wade says the two companies were chosen for the hearing because, collectively , their requests would affect the largest number of consumers.  About 86,000 consumers could be impacted.

Anthem is requesting an average increase of 33.8 percent for policies marketed both on and off the state exchange.  ConnectiCare has requested an average increase of 17.5 percent for policies sold exclusively on the exchange.

Comments will be accepted by the state Insurance Department through July 1st.