Indianapolis-based WellPoint is withdrawing its controversial request for a 39% rate hike in California, citing mathematical errors.

Insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross withdrew plans to raise health insurance rates for Californians by as much as 39 percent after an independent audit determined the company’s justification for raising premiums was based on flawed data, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said Thursday.

Anthem, a unit of Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc., said separately it will file a new application for a rate increase with the California Department of Insurance and the Department of Managed Health Care, perhaps as early as next month. It added that any errors in its original application were inadvertent.

“The current application that was withdrawn today was just flawed,” Poizner said during a conference call with reporters. He added that it contained mathematical errors and in some instances double counting of data.

Neither Poizner nor Anthem officials said just how big the insurance giant’s next proposed increase would be.

Merrillville-based Centier Bank is expanding operations in Lafayette.

Navistar would save money if it stayed in Fort Wayne, but the company is still moving forward with plans to consolidate operations in Illinois.

Today’s Vera Bradley Outlet Sales is expected to pump $6 million into the Fort Wayne economy.

Time magazine named a Goshen doctor to its list of the 100 most influential people.

A study of future developments at the Gary/Chicago Airport will be released next week.