2016 -- H 7510

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LC004471

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - CATASTROPHIC HEALTH

INSURANCE PLAN ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Messier, Morin, Fellela, Azzinaro, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2016

     Referred To: House Corporations

     (Attorney General)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Section 27-19-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-19 entitled "Nonprofit

2

Hospital Service Corporations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

3

     27-19-6. Rates charged subscribers – Reserves. -- (a) Public hearings General: The

4

rates proposed to be charged or a rating formula proposed to be used by any corporation

5

organized under this chapter to employers, the state or any political subdivision of the state, or

6

individuals, shall be filed by the corporation at the office of the health insurance commissioner

7

(hereinafter referred to as the "commissioner"). Within sixty (60) days after receipt of the

8

application, the commissioner, or his or her designee shall hold a hearing on all rates proposed for

9

health insurance coverage offered in the individual market as defined in § 27-18.5-2 upon not less

10

than ten (10) days written notice prior to the hearing. With regard to any other rates subject to the

11

commissioner's jurisdiction the commissioner, or his or her designee, may hold a hearing upon

12

not less than ten (10) days written notice prior to the hearing. The notice shall be published by the

13

commissioner in a newspaper or newspapers having aggregate general circulation throughout the

14

state at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The notice shall contain a description of the rates

15

proposed to be charged and a copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the

16

department of the attorney general. In addition, the applicant shall provide by mail, at least ten

17

(10) days prior to the hearing, notice of the proposed rate increase for health insurance coverage

18

offered in the individual market as defined in § 27-18.5-2 to all subscribers subject to the

 

1

proposed rate increase.

2

     (b) Public hearings: Within ten (10) days after receipt of a filing, the commissioner shall

3

determine, subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, whether they intend to hold a

4

public hearing at which time notice of such determination shall be sent to the insurance advocacy

5

unit of the attorney general's office. Any such public hearing shall commence within sixty (60)

6

days after receipt of the application, upon not less than ten (10) days written notice prior to the

7

hearing, published by the commissioner in a newspaper or newspapers having aggregate general

8

circulation throughout the state at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The notice shall contain

9

a description of the rates proposed to be charged and/or the rating formula proposed to be used

10

and a copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the attorney general. In the event

11

there is a public hearing, the attorney general may engage the services of any expert or consultant

12

necessary to assist in reviewing the filing, including having the ability to seek additional relevant

13

information from the filer. All public hearings held pursuant to this section shall be held in

14

accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 (administrative procedures act).

15

     (b)(c) Filings with the Attorney General's Office: The applicant shall provide a copy of

16

the filing on all rates proposed for health insurance coverage offered in the individual market as

17

defined in § 27-18.5-2 to the Insurance Advocacy Unit of the Attorney General's Office

18

simultaneously with the filing at the office of the health insurance commissioner.

19

     (c) Procedures: At any hearing held under this section, the applicant shall be required to

20

establish that the rates proposed to be charged or the rating formula to be used are consistent with

21

the proper conduct of its business and with the interest of the public.

22

     Rates proposed to be charged by any corporation organized under this chapter shall be

23

sufficient to maintain total reserves in a dollar amount sufficient to pay claims and operating

24

expenses for not less than one month. Those reserves shall be computed as of each December

25

31st, and a report setting forth the computation shall be submitted to the commissioner together

26

with the corporation's Rhode Island annual statement to the commissioner. Any documents

27

presented in support of a filing of proposed rates under this section shall be made available for

28

inspection by any party entitled to participate in a hearing or admitted as an intervenor in a

29

hearing or such conditions as the commissioner may prescribe provided under this section at a

30

time and at a place as the commissioner may deem reasonable. The commissioner, or his or her

31

designee, upon the hearing, may administer oaths, examine and cross-examine witnesses, receive

32

oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their

33

attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence, or other

34

documents which he or she deems relevant. The commissioner shall issue a decision as soon as is

 

LC004471 - Page 2 of 14

1

reasonably possible following the completion of the hearing. The decision may approve,

2

disapprove, or modify the rates proposed to be charged by the applicant. Applicants requesting

3

changes in rates shall underwrite the reasonable expenses of the commissioner in connection with

4

the hearing, including any costs related to advertisements, stenographic reporting, and expert

5

witnesses fees.

6

     (d) Procedures:

7

     (1) The applicant shall be required to establish that the rates proposed to be charged

8

and/or the rating formula proposed to be used are consistent with the proper conduct of its

9

business and with the interest of the public.

10

     (2) Any documents presented in support of a filing of proposed rates and/or the rating

11

formula proposed to be used under this section shall be made available for public examination at

12

a time and place that the commissioner may deem reasonable.

13

     (3) If a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner,

14

or their designee, upon the hearing, may administer oaths, examine and cross-examine witnesses,

15

receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel

16

their attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence, or other

17

documents which they deem relevant. Any designee who shall conduct a hearing pursuant to this

18

section shall report their findings in writing to the commissioner within a reasonable time

19

following the conclusion of the hearing with a recommendation for approval, disapproval, or

20

modification of the rates proposed to be charged and/or the rating formula proposed to be used by

21

the applicant. The commissioner shall make and issue a decision not later than ten (10) days

22

following the issuance of the recommended decision or, if the commissioner hears the application

23

without the appointment of a designee, as soon as is reasonably possible following the completion

24

of the hearing on the proposed rate change. The decision may approve, disapprove, or modify the

25

rates proposed to be charged and/or the rating formula proposed to be used by the applicant.

26

     (d)(e) The term "designee" as used in this section shall mean a person who is impartial, a

27

member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar and a person who is sufficiently acquainted

28

with the rules of evidence as used in the superior court of the state so as to enable that person to

29

conduct a hearing as designee of the commissioner. The reasonable per diem cost of the designee

30

as appointed by the commissioner shall be paid by the applicant requesting changes in the rates.

31

     (f) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the commissioner shall

32

hold a public hearing in any instance where the rates proposed in the filing for the annual rate

33

increase for products offered in the individual market produce an overall average rate increase of

34

ten percent (10%) or more, or in excess of the threshold trend increase established in subsection

 

LC004471 - Page 3 of 14

1

(f)(1) of this section. The commissioner shall require that any filing for a rate increase for

2

products offered in the individual market shall include the calculation of both the "overall average

3

rate increase" and the "threshold trend increase" in order to determine whether a public hearing is

4

required.

5

     (1) For the purposes of this section, the "threshold trend increase" shall be two percent

6

(2%) plus the annualized trend factor weighted by the actual experience allowed per member per

7

month ("PMPM") as both are set forth in part II of the uniform rate review template approved in

8

the most recent rate year. If the uniform rate review template is modified, a calculation should be

9

performed that produces comparable results.

10

     (2) For purposes of this section, the calculation of the "overall average rate increase" shall

11

be based on the proposed essential health benefit base rate for a twenty-one (21) year old at a

12

silver actuarial value of seventy percent (70%), hereinafter referred to as the "EHB base rate." To

13

calculate the overall average rate increase, the applicant shall divide the proposed EHB base rate

14

by the EHB base rate approved in the prior year. The commissioner shall require this calculation

15

to be provided as part of the applicant’s individual market rate filing.

16

     (g) In the event that subsection (f) of this section in combination with §42-62-13(b)

17

would result in more than one public hearing in any given calendar year, the commissioner may

18

defer one or more public hearing(s) for an applicant resulting from subsection (f) of this section

19

or §42-62-13(b) until the subsequent calendar year, with the provision that one of the deferred

20

applicants shall be required to have a public hearing in the subsequent year, whether or not the

21

applicants’ filing satisfies the requirements of subsection (f) of this section or §42-62-13(b) in

22

that subsequent calendar year.

23

     (h) The commissioner shall notify the attorney general of the filing(s) to be deferred and

24

the attorney general shall be given the opportunity to provide written comments and

25

recommendations to the commissioner regarding any such filing(s) deferred in accordance with

26

subsection (g) of this section. The commissioner shall notify the attorney general of their final

27

deferral decision.

28

     (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the filing of proposed rates or a rating

29

formula and the holding and conducting of any public hearing in connection with these proposed

30

rates or rating formula shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42

31

(administrative procedures act).

32

     (j) Public comment. Whether or not a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (f) of

33

this section, the commissioner shall solicit public comment regarding the rates proposed to be

34

charged and/or the rating formula to be used. Public comment shall be solicited upon not less than

 

LC004471 - Page 4 of 14

1

ten (10) days written notice prior to the date that either:

2

     (1) A public meeting at which verbal comments may be provided; or

3

     (2) That written comment must be received by the commissioner. The notice shall contain

4

a description of the rates proposed to be charged or the rating formula proposed to be used, and a

5

copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the insurance advocacy unit of the attorney

6

general's office. The attorney general shall be permitted to conduct discovery in relation to the

7

actuarial analysis and actuarial assumptions of the filer regarding any filing in the individual

8

market as defined in §27-18.5-2. Any documents presented in support of the filing under this

9

section shall be made available for public examination at a time and place that the commissioner

10

may deem reasonable.

11

     (k) The applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the commissioner in connection with

12

the a filing made pursuant to this section, including any costs related to advertisements,

13

stenographic reporting, and expert fees, regardless of whether a public hearing is held. The

14

applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the attorney general in relation to any public hearing

15

conducted pursuant to this section. The applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the attorney

16

general in relation to any filing in the individual market that is not subject to a public hearing.

17

     SECTION 2. Section 27-20-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-20 entitled “Nonprofit

18

Medical Service Corporations” is hereby amended to read as follows:

19

     27-20-6. Rates charged subscribers – Reserves – Hearing by director. – (a) Public

20

hearings General: The rates proposed to be charged or a rating formula proposed to be used by

21

any corporation organized under this chapter to its subscribers, employers, the state or any

22

political subdivision of the state, or individuals, shall be filed by the corporation at the office of

23

the health insurance commissioner (hereinafter referred to as the "commissioner"). Within sixty

24

(60) days after receipt of the application, the commissioner, or his or her designee, shall hold a

25

hearing on all rates proposed for health insurance coverage offered in the individual market as

26

defined in § 27-18.5-2 upon not less than ten (10) days written notice prior to the hearing. With

27

regard to any other rates or rating formula subject to the commissioner's jurisdiction the

28

commissioner, or his or her designee, may hold a hearing upon not less than ten (10) days written

29

notice prior to the hearing. The notice shall be published by the commissioner in a newspaper or

30

newspapers having aggregate general circulation throughout the state at least ten (10) days prior

31

to the hearing. The notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged and a

32

copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the department of the attorney general. In

33

addition, the applicant shall provide by mail, at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing, notice of

34

the proposed rate increase for health insurance coverage offered in the individual market as

 

LC004471 - Page 5 of 14

1

defined in § 27-18.5-2 to all subscribers subject to the proposed rate increase.

2

     (b) Public hearings: Within ten (10) days after receipt of a filing, the commissioner shall

3

determine, subject to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section, whether they intend to hold a

4

public hearing at which time notice of such determination shall be sent to the insurance advocacy

5

unit of the attorney general's office. Any such public hearing shall commence within sixty (60)

6

days after receipt of the application, upon not less than ten (10) days written notice prior to the

7

hearing, published by the commissioner in a newspaper or newspapers having aggregate general

8

circulation throughout the state at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The notice shall contain

9

a description of the rates proposed to be charged and/or the rating formula proposed to be used

10

and a copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the attorney general. In the event

11

there is a public hearing, the attorney general may engage the services of any expert or consultant

12

necessary to assist in reviewing the filing, including having the ability to seek additional relevant

13

information from the filer. All public hearings held pursuant to this section shall be held in

14

accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 (administrative procedures act).

15

     (b)(c) Filings with the Attorney General's Office: The applicant shall provide a copy of

16

the filing on all rates proposed for health insurance coverage offered in the individual market as

17

defined in § 27-18.5-2 or for a Medicare supplement policy as defined in § 27-18.2-1 to the

18

Insurance Advocacy Unit of the Attorney General's Office simultaneously with the filing at the

19

office of the health insurance commissioner.

20

     (c) Procedures: At any hearing held under this section, the applicant shall be required to

21

establish that the rates proposed to be charged or the rating formula proposed to be used are

22

consistent with the proper conduct of its business and with the interest of the public.

23

     Rates proposed to be charged by any corporation organized under this chapter shall

24

maintain total reserves in a dollar amount sufficient to pay claims and operating expenses for not

25

less than one month. Those reserves shall be computed as of each December 31st, and a report

26

setting forth the computation shall be submitted to the commissioner together with the

27

corporation's Rhode Island annual statement to the insurance commissioner of the state of Rhode

28

Island. Any documents presented in support of a filing of proposed rates under this section shall

29

be made available for inspection by any party entitled to participate in a hearing or admitted as an

30

intervenor in a hearing on such conditions as the commissioner may prescribe provided pursuant

31

to this section at a time and at a place as the commissioner may deem reasonable. The

32

commissioner, or his or her designee, upon the hearing, may administer oaths, examine and cross

33

examine witnesses, receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena

34

witnesses, compel their attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records,

 

LC004471 - Page 6 of 14

1

correspondence, or other documents which the director deems relevant. The commissioner shall

2

issue a decision as soon as is reasonably possible following completion of the hearing. The

3

decision may approve, disapprove, or modify the rates proposed to be charged by the applicant.

4

Applicants requesting changes in rates shall underwrite the reasonable expenses of the

5

commissioner in connection with the hearing, including any costs related to advertisements,

6

stenographic reporting, and expert witnesses fees.

7

     (d) Procedures:

8

     (1) The applicant shall be required to establish that the rates proposed to be charged

9

and/or the rating formula proposed to be used are consistent with the proper conduct of its

10

business and with the interest of the public.

11

     (2) Any documents presented in support of a filing of proposed rates and/or the rating

12

formula proposed to be used under this section shall be made available for public examination at

13

a time and place that the commissioner may deem reasonable.

14

     (3) If a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner,

15

or their designee, upon the hearing, may administer oaths, examine and cross-examine witnesses,

16

receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel

17

their attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence, or other

18

documents which they deem relevant. Any designee who shall conduct a hearing pursuant to this

19

section shall report their findings in writing to the commissioner within a reasonable time

20

following the conclusion of the hearing with a recommendation for approval, disapproval, or

21

modification of the rates proposed to be charged and/or the rating formula proposed to be used by

22

the applicant. The commissioner shall make and issue a decision not later than ten (10) days

23

following the issuance of the recommended decision or, if the commissioner hears the application

24

without the appointment of a designee, as soon as is reasonably possible following the completion

25

of the hearing on the proposed rate change. The decision may approve, disapprove, or modify the

26

rates proposed to be charged and/or the rating formula proposed to be used by the applicant.

27

     (d) (e) The term "designee" as used in this section shall mean a person who is impartial, a

28

member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar and a person who is sufficiently acquainted

29

with the rules of evidence as used in the superior court of the state so as to enable that person to

30

conduct a hearing as designee of the commissioner. The reasonable per diem cost of the designee

31

as appointed by the commissioner shall be paid by the applicant requesting changes in the rates.

32

     (f) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the commissioner shall

33

hold a public hearing in any instance where the rates proposed in the filing for the annual rate

34

increase for products offered in the individual market produce an overall average rate increase of

 

LC004471 - Page 7 of 14

1

ten percent (10%) or more, or in excess of the threshold trend increase established in subsection

2

(f)(1) of this section. The commissioner shall require that any filing for a rate increase for

3

products offered in the individual market shall include the calculation of both the "overall average

4

rate increase" and the "threshold trend increase" in order to determine whether a public hearing is

5

required.

6

     (1) For the purposes of this section, the "threshold trend increase" shall be two percent

7

(2%) plus the annualized trend factor weighted by the actual experience allowed per member per

8

month ("PMPM") as both are set forth in part II of the uniform rate review template approved in

9

the most recent rate year. If the uniform rate review template is modified, a calculation should be

10

performed that produces comparable results.

11

     (2) For purposes of this section, the calculation of the "overall average rate increase" shall

12

be based on the proposed essential health benefit base rate for a twenty-one (21) year old at a

13

silver actuarial value of seventy percent (70%), hereinafter referred to as the "EHB base rate." To

14

calculate the overall average rate increase, the applicant shall divide the proposed EHB base rate

15

by the EHB base rate approved in the prior year. The commissioner shall require this calculation

16

to be provided as part of the applicant’s individual market rate filing.

17

     (g) In the event that subsection (f) of this section in combination with §42-62-13(b)

18

would result in more than one public hearing in any given calendar year, the commissioner may

19

defer one or more public hearing(s) for an applicant resulting from subsection (f) of this section

20

or §42-62-13(b) until the subsequent calendar year, with the provision that one of the deferred

21

applicants shall be required to have a public hearing in the subsequent year, whether or not the

22

applicants’ filing satisfies the requirements of subsection (f) of this section or §42-62-13(b) in

23

that subsequent calendar year.

24

     (h) The commissioner shall notify the attorney general of the filing(s) to be deferred and

25

the attorney general shall be given the opportunity to provide written comments and

26

recommendations to the commissioner regarding any such filing(s) deferred in accordance with

27

subsection (g) of this section. The commissioner shall notify the attorney general of their final

28

deferral decision.

29

     (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the filing of proposed rates or a rating

30

formula and the holding and conducting of any public hearing in connection with these proposed

31

rates or rating formula shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42

32

(administrative procedures act).

33

     (j) Public comment. Whether or not a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (f) of

34

this section, the commissioner shall solicit public comment regarding the rates proposed to be

 

LC004471 - Page 8 of 14

1

charged and/or the rating formula to be used. Public comment shall be solicited upon not less than

2

ten (10) days written notice prior to the date that either:

3

     (1) A public meeting at which verbal comments may be provided; or

4

     (2) That written comment must be received by the commissioner. The notice shall contain

5

a description of the rates proposed to be charged or the rating formula proposed to be used, and a

6

copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the insurance advocacy unit of the attorney

7

general's office. The attorney general shall be permitted to conduct discovery in relation to the

8

actuarial analysis and actuarial assumptions of the filer regarding any filing in the individual

9

market as defined in §27-18.5-2. Any documents presented in support of the filing under this

10

section shall be made available for public examination at a time and place that the commissioner

11

may deem reasonable.

12

     (k) The applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the commissioner in connection with

13

the a filing made pursuant to this section, including any costs related to advertisements,

14

stenographic reporting, and expert fees, regardless of whether a public hearing is held. The

15

applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the attorney general in relation to any public hearing

16

conducted pursuant to this section. The applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the attorney

17

general in relation to any filing in the individual market that is not subject to a public hearing.

18

     SECTION 3. Section 42-62-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-62 entitled

19

"Catastrophic Health Insurance Plan Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

20

     42-62-13. Rates charged. -- (a) The rates proposed to be charged or a rating formula

21

proposed to be used by any insurer or health maintenance organization under this section to

22

employers, the state or any political subdivision of the state, or individuals, shall be filed by the

23

insurer or health maintenance organization at the office of the director of business regulation.

24

This section does not apply to any entity subject to § 27-19-1 et seq., and/or § 27-20-1 et seq. The

25

rates proposed to be charged by those entities shall be governed by the provisions of § 27-19-1 et

26

seq., and/or § 27-20-1 et seq. Within sixty (60) days after receipt of the application, the director,

27

or the director's designee, may hold a hearing upon not less than ten (10) days' written notice

28

prior to the hearings. The notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged,

29

and a copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the consumer protection unit of the

30

department of attorney general. At any hearing held under this section, the applicant shall be

31

required to establish that the rates proposed to be charged or the rating formula proposed to be

32

used are consistent with the proper conduct of its business and with the interest of the public. Any

33

documents presented in support of a filing of proposed rates under this section shall be made

34

available for public examination at any time and place that the director may deem reasonable. The

 

LC004471 - Page 9 of 14

1

director, or the director's designee, upon that hearing may administer oaths, examine and cross-

2

examine witnesses, receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena

3

witnesses, compel their attendance and require the production of all books, papers, records,

4

correspondence, or other documents which he or she deems relevant. Any designee who shall

5

conduct a hearing pursuant to this section shall report his or her findings in writing to the director

6

within eighty (80) days of the filing with a recommendation for approval, disapproval, or

7

modification of the rates proposed to be charged by the applicant. The recommended decision

8

shall become part of the record. The director shall make and issue a decision not later than ten

9

(10) days following the issuance of the recommended decision or, if the director hears the

10

application without the appointment of a designee, as soon as is reasonably possible following the

11

completion of the hearing on the proposed rate change. The decision may approve, disapprove, or

12

modify the rates proposed to be charged by the applicant. Insurers requesting changes in rates

13

shall underwrite the reasonable expenses of the department of business regulation in connection

14

with the hearing, including any costs related to advertisements, stenographic reporting, and expert

15

witnesses fees. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the filing of proposed rates or a

16

rating formula and the holding and conduct of any hearings in connection with these proposed

17

rates or rating formula shall be pursuant to this section.

18

     (b) Whenever the term "designee" is used in this section, it shall mean a person who is

19

impartial, a member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar and a person who is sufficiently

20

acquainted with the rules of evidence as used in the superior court of the state so as to enable that

21

person to conduct a hearing as designee of the director. The reasonable per diem cost of the

22

designee as appointed by the director shall be paid by the insurers requesting changes in the rates.

23

The rates proposed to be charged and/or a rating formula proposed to be used by any health

24

insurer, dental insurer, or health maintenance organization subject to title 27, shall be filed at the

25

office of the health insurance commissioner (hereinafter the "commissioner"). The rates proposed

26

to be used by any health insurer, dental insurer, or health maintenance organization in the

27

individual market as defined in §27-18.5-2 shall be filed at the office of the health insurance

28

commissioner and simultaneously with the insurance advocacy unit of the attorney general's

29

office. The applicant shall be required to establish that the rates proposed to be charged and/or the

30

rating formula proposed to be used are consistent with the proper conduct of its business and with

31

the interest of the public. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the filing the commissioner shall

32

determine, subject to subsection (b) of this section, whether they intend to hold a public hearing at

33

which time notice of such determination shall be sent to the insurance advocacy unit of the

34

attorney general’s office. In the event there is a public hearing, the attorney general may engage

 

LC004471 - Page 10 of 14

1

the services of any expert or consultant necessary to assist in reviewing the filing, including

2

having the ability to seek additional relevant information from the filer. Any such public hearing

3

shall commence within sixty (60) days after receipt of the application, upon not less than ten (10)

4

days written notice prior to the hearing, published by the commissioner in a newspaper or

5

newspapers having aggregate general circulation throughout the state at least ten (10) days prior

6

to the hearing. The notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged and/or

7

the rating formula proposed to be used and a copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and

8

to the attorney general. Any documents presented in support of the filing under this section shall

9

be made available for public examination at any time and place that the commissioner may deem

10

reasonable.

11

     (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the commissioner shall

12

hold a public hearing in any instance where the rates proposed in the filing for the annual rate

13

increase for products offered in the individual market produce an overall average rate increase of

14

ten percent (10%) or more, or in excess of the threshold trend increase established in subsection

15

(b)(1) of this section. The commissioner shall require that any filing for a rate increase for

16

products offered in the individual market shall include the calculation of both the "overall average

17

rate increase" and the "threshold trend increase" in order to determine whether a public hearing is

18

required.

19

     (1) For the purposes of this section, the "threshold trend increase" shall be two percent

20

(2%) plus the annualized trend factor weighted by the actual experience allowed per member per

21

month ("PMPM") as both are set forth in part II of the uniform rate review template approved in

22

the most recent rate year. If the uniform rate review template is modified, a calculation should be

23

performed that produces comparable results.

24

     (2) For purposes of this section, the calculation of the "overall average rate increase" shall

25

be based on the proposed essential health benefit base rate for a twenty-one (21) year old at a

26

silver actuarial value of seventy percent (70%), hereinafter referred to as the "EHB base rate." To

27

calculate the overall average rate increase, the applicant shall divide the proposed EHB base rate

28

by the EHB base rate approved in the prior year. The commissioner shall require this calculation

29

to be provided as part of the applicant's individual market rate filing.

30

     (c) In the event that subsection (b) of this section in combination with §§27-19-6(f) and

31

27-20-6(f) would result in more than one public hearing in any given calendar year, the

32

commissioner may defer one or more public hearing(s) for an applicant resulting from subsection

33

(b) of this section or §§27-19-6(f) and 27-20-6(f) until the subsequent calendar year, with the

34

provision that one of the deferred applicants shall be required to have a public hearing in the

 

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1

subsequent year, whether or not the applicants’ filing satisfies the requirements of subsection (b)

2

of this section or §§27-19-6(f) and 27-20-6(f) in that subsequent calendar year.

3

     (d) The commissioner shall notify the attorney general of the filing(s) to be deferred and

4

the attorney general shall be given the opportunity to provide written comments and

5

recommendations to the commissioner regarding any such filing(s) deferred in accordance with

6

subsection (c) of this section. The commissioner shall notify the attorney general of their final

7

deferral decision.

8

     (e) If a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner,

9

or their designee, upon the hearing, may administer oaths, examine and cross-examine witnesses,

10

receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel

11

their attendance, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence, or other

12

documents which they deem relevant. The public hearing shall be held in accordance with the

13

provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 (administrative procedures act). Any designee who shall

14

conduct a hearing pursuant to this section shall report their findings in writing to the

15

commissioner within a reasonable time following the conclusion of the hearing with a

16

recommendation for approval, disapproval, or modification of the rates proposed to be charged

17

and/or the rating formula proposed to be used by the applicant. The recommended decision shall

18

become part of the record. The commissioner shall make and issue a decision not later than ten

19

(10) days following the issuance of the recommended decision or, if the commissioner hears the

20

application without the appointment of a designee, as soon as is reasonably possible following the

21

completion of the hearing on the proposed rate change. The decision may approve, disapprove, or

22

modify the filing.

23

     (f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the filing of the proposed rates or a

24

rating formula and the holding and conducting of any public hearing in connection with these

25

proposed rates or rating formula of any health insurer, dental insurer, or health organization

26

subject to title 27 shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42

27

(administrative procedures act).

28

     (g) Whenever the term "designee" is used in this section, it shall mean a person who is

29

impartial, a member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar and a person who is sufficiently

30

acquainted with the rules of evidence as used in the superior court of the state so as to enable that

31

person to conduct a hearing as designee of the director. The reasonable per diem cost of the

32

designee as appointed by the director shall be paid by the insurer(s) requesting changes in the

33

rates.

34

     (h) Public comment. Whether or not a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (b) of

 

LC004471 - Page 12 of 14

1

this section, the commissioner shall solicit public comment regarding the rates proposed to be

2

charged and/or the rating formula to be used. Public comment shall be solicited upon not less than

3

ten (10) days written notice prior to the date that either:

4

     (1) A public meeting at which verbal comments may be provided; or

5

     (2) That written comment must be received by the commissioner. The notice shall contain

6

a description of the rates proposed to be charged or the rating formula proposed to be used, and a

7

copy of the notice shall be sent to the applicant and to the insurance advocacy unit of the attorney

8

general’s office. The attorney general shall be permitted to conduct discovery in relation to the

9

actuarial analysis and actuarial assumptions of the filer regarding any filing in the individual

10

market as defined in §27-18.5-2. Any documents presented in support of the filing under this

11

section shall be made available for public examination at a time and place that the commissioner

12

may deem reasonable.

13

     (i) The applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the commissioner in connection with

14

the a filing made pursuant to this section, including any costs related to advertisements,

15

stenographic reporting, and expert fees, regardless of whether a public hearing is held. The

16

applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the attorney general in relation to any public hearing

17

conducted pursuant to this section. The applicant shall bear reasonable expenses of the attorney

18

general in relation to any filing in the individual market that is not subject to a public hearing.

19

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - CATASTROPHIC HEALTH

INSURANCE PLAN ACT

***

1

     This act would require a public hearing, with some exceptions, for all insurers or health

2

maintenance organizations who propose rate increases for health or dental insurance coverage in

3

the individual market. It would also require the insurers requesting the rate increases to bear the

4

reasonable expenses incurred by the attorney general or the health insurance commissioner in

5

considering the rate changes, whether a hearing was held or not. Further, it would give the

6

commissioner the power to subpoena witnesses, documents and other relevant information in

7

determining whether to approve, disapprove or modify the requested changes.

8

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2017.

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