FARGO (AP) - Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota has asked for a 14.8 percent increase in premiums for a group that provides individual health insurance.

Blues Chief Executive Officer Mike Unhjem said the so-called bank depositor's group covers about 40,000, including those who are self-insured. The Blues wants the premium increase to take effect Aug. 1.

State Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm said the request was submited May 6, and he expects to make a decision in a couple of weeks.

"We obviously do our own analysis of the numbers they provide. We have our own actuary on staff," Hamm said Monday.

Last year, the Blues sought a 10 percent increase for the individual group. Then-Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman granted 9.4 percent. The previous year, Hamm said, the insurer sought a 4.2 percent increase and was allowed 2.9 percent.

The Blues sought a 17.3 percent increase in preimums for employer groups last year, and the insurer was allowed a 9.9 percent increase. Unhjem said the Blues will submit a premium request for employer groups later this summer but said it is too early to speculate on what it will propose.

Blue Cross Blue Shield said in May that it might face an underwriting loss of about $22 million when its fiscal year ends Dec. 31. The loss represents the difference between premiums it collected and claims expenses paid. Unhjem said the Blues had budgeted for a $15 million underwriting loss.