Two Idaho health-insurance companies have asked to raise rates for some customers more than 10 percent, a threshold set by the 2010 federal health care reform law.

John Alden Life Insurance Co. and Time Insurance Co. both filed rate increases on Tuesday of 13 percent for some customers.

The companies are part of Assurant Health, based in Milwaukee. They have several Idaho agents who sell small-group insurance plans.

The 10 percent rule took effect Sept. 1, so it applies only to individual and small-group plan rates submitted since then. Companies must now submit the rates to the Idaho Department of Insurance.

The law set 10 percent as a reasonable increase and requires insurers to disclose and justify the need to exceed it. But the law doesn't make higher increases illegal. Insurers can legally charge more for insurance based on various factors like age, health status and tobacco use.

Visit companyprofiles.healthcare.gov for more information.

Audrey Dutton: 377-6448