Blue Shield has deferred their health insurance rates. The company has delayed their price for 60 days. The original price implementation was supposed to be on March 1, 2011.

This will be the third price increase for the customers of Blue Shield. This price rise will now take effect in October. Some customers are affected by 30 percent hike whereas some paying almost 60 percent more.

"We are taking this action to remove any doubt that the rates we have submitted are necessary to pay the medical expenses of our individual members and meet the new medical loss ratio standard", Blue Shield chairman and CEO Bruce Bodaken said in a statement.

Recently last week 3 other health insurer deferred their price hike by 60 days. Anthem Blue Cross had an increase scheduled for April 1, PacifiCare’s was planned for Jan. 1, and Aetna for January 1, 2011.

"I am pleased that Blue Shield is now joining Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and PacifiCare in agreeing to my request for an additional 60 days to review their rate filings", Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement.

According to the federal laws, it is mandatory for the insurers to spend 80 percent on the premium on health care. This percentage is however 70 percent in California. According to Jones, this law will be tightened further.