Even though they’ll get no cost of living increase in their Social Security, senior citizens who buy supplemental health insurance for Medicare will be paying, on average, 4 percent more next year for premiums.

There are several types of Medicare supplemental insurance, which offer various levels of coverage.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of R.I., which has about 18,900 individual Medicare supplemental insurance policies, recently requested the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) for an average 6-percent increase on premiums.

The cost of Blue Cross’ Blue Chip Health Plan insurance, a basic supplemental plan, will cost the average policy holder approximately $44 more per month.

United Healthcare, which has about 5,800 Medicare supplemental insurance policies, asked for an average increase on premiums of about 5.6 percent. OHIC approved average increases averaging 4.1 percent for United.

Bankers, which has about 3,000 supplemental insurance policies in the state, asked for an average increase of 9 percent. OHIC approved a 2.9 percent increase in premiums.

Barbara Peters, a spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Association of Retired People, said the constant increases in health insurance costs are hurting seniors. Even prior to the latest round of increases, Peters pointed out, premiums had already doubled since the year 2000.

“Seniors are not seeing any increases in their income yet they’re continuing to deal with the spiraling costs of health care,” said Peters.

“It’s not just health care, it’s also spiraling utility costs, gas prices and even food prices.”

With that in mind, Peters said the AARP is lobbying Congress to stave off any cuts to Medicare that could come as a result to the national push for health care reform.

But according to Ray Brown, Blue Cross’ Assistant Vice President for Government Programs, a 4-percent cut to the Blue Chip plan by the government this year is largely what’s responsible for the increase to that plan. Brown said the government, which funds about 90 percent of the plan, with the remaining 10 percent coming from consumers, cut its contributions to the plan by 4 percent.

That reduction, coupled with a 6-percent inflation in medical claims over last year, makes a 10-percent shortfall. Because the government funds the lion-share of the plan, it will take a significant increase on the part of the consumer to fund the loss in funding, said Brown.

Brown said Blue Cross realizes its customers are under financial pressures, but said the increases were necessary to ensure the company remains solvent. Brown said the company will make no profit on the Blue Chip plans next year, and actually lose money on the rest of it’s Plan 65 supplemental insurance.

“It’s not a good situation. There are no answers to give people that will really satisfy them,” said Brown.

Brown said Blue Cross has agreed to cap out-of-pocket expenses on co-pays to $1,400. In some cases, he said, that will reduce expenses for individuals.

“It’s a bit of a consolation,” said Brown, who noted that it would bring little satisfaction to many.

United Healthcare didn’t return calls for comment in time for deadline. Bankers also couldn’t be reached for comment.

Chris Koller, the Health Insurance Commissioner, also didn’t respond to calls or comment, but in his press release, said seniors have options.

“Seniors have a variety of options for their Medicare Coverage,” said Koller. “We believe these revised rate increases for Medicare supplemental insurance policies balance the needs of affordable rates and sustainable premiums in the face of rising health care costs.”