The Virginian-Pilot
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, August 30, 1994               TAG: 9408300406
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: (AP)
                                             LENGTH: Short :   22 lines

TRIGON RECORDS SLIGHT INCREASE IN INSURANCE PREMIUMS

The state's largest health insurer, whose billing practices are under investigation, said premiums through June rose less than 1 percent over the first half of last year. Trigon, formerly Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Virginia, said the average fully insured group premium went up 0.1 percent compared to the first six months of 1993. The company has been trying to hold the line on premium increases, which until last year had been in the double digits. They increased 7.5 percent in 1993. More than 2,500 companies are paying the same or less for premiums than in 1993, the company said. by CNB