2016 -- S 2209

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LC003610

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - RATE REVIEW ACT

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

proposed rate increase.

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

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

public meeting or a public hearing at which time notice of such determination shall be sent to the

insurance advocacy unit of the attorney general. Any such public hearing shall commence within

sixty (60) days after receipt of the application, upon not less than ten (10) days written notice

prior to the hearing, published by the commissioner in a newspaper or newspapers having

aggregate general circulation throughout the state at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The

notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged and a copy of the notice

shall be sent to the applicant and to the department of the attorney general. In the event there is a

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     (2) Any documents presented in support of a filing of proposed rates under this section

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

deem reasonable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

modification of the rates proposed to be charged by the applicant. The commissioner shall make

and issue a decision not later than ten (10) days following the issuance of the recommended

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decision or, if the commissioner hears the application without the appointment of a designee, as

soon as is reasonably possible following the completion of the hearing on the proposed rate

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

applicant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

witnesses fees.

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

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

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

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

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

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

hold a public hearing in any instance where the applicant covers ten thousand (10,000) or more

enrolled individuals in the individual market, and the rates proposed in the filing for the annual

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

increase of ten percent (10%) or more. The commissioner shall require that any filing for a rate

increase for products offered in the individual market shall include the calculation of the "overall

average rate increase" in order to determine whether a public hearing is required.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

subsequent calendar year.

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

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

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

subsection (g) of this section.

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

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

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

(administrative procedures act).

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

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

charged. Public comment shall be solicited by written notice not less than ten (10) days prior to

the date that either:

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

     (2) That written comment must be received by the commissioner.

     (i) The notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged or the

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

insurance advocacy unit of the department of attorney general.

     (3) The attorney general shall be permitted to conduct discovery in relation to the

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

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

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

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may deem reasonable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

hearing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

public meeting or a public hearing at which time notice of such determination shall be sent to the

insurance advocacy unit of the attorney general. Any such public hearing shall commence within

sixty (60) days after receipt of the application, upon not less than ten (10) days written notice

prior to the hearing, published by the commissioner in a newspaper or newspapers having

aggregate general circulation throughout the state at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The

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notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged and a copy of the notice

shall be sent to the applicant and to the department of the attorney general. In the event there is a

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

office of the health insurance commissioner.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

stenographic reporting, and expert witnesses fees.

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

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

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     (2) Any documents presented in support of a filing of proposed rates under this section

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

deem reasonable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

modification of the rates proposed to be charged by the applicant. The commissioner shall make

and issue a decision not later than ten (10) days following the issuance of the recommended

decision or, if the commissioner hears the application without the appointment of a designee, as

soon as is reasonably possible following the completion of the hearing on the proposed rate

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

applicant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

hold a public hearing in any instance where the applicant covers ten thousand (10,000) or more

enrolled individuals in the individual market, and the rates proposed in the filing for the annual

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

increase of ten percent (10%) or more. The commissioner shall require that any filing for a rate

increase for products offered in the individual market shall include the calculation of the "overall

average rate increase" in order to determine whether a public hearing is required.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

subsequent calendar year.

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

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

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

subsection (g) of this section.

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

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

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

(administrative procedures act).

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

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

charged. Public comment shall be solicited by written notice not less than ten (10) days prior to

the date that either:

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

     (2) That written comment must be received by the commissioner.

     (i) The notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged or the

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

insurance advocacy unit of the department of attorney general.

     (3) The attorney general shall be permitted to conduct discovery in relation to the

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

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

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

may deem reasonable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

hearing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

rates or rating formula shall be pursuant to this section.

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

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

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

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

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

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

insurer, dental insurer, or health maintenance organization subject to title 27 to employers, the

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

health insurance commissioner (hereinafter referred to as the "commissioner"). The rates

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

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

simultaneously with the attorney general's insurance advocacy unit. The applicant shall be

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

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

Within ten (10) days after receipt of the filing the commissioner shall determine, subject to

subsection (b) of this section, whether to hold a public meeting or a public hearing at which time

notice of such determination shall be sent to the insurance advocacy unit of the attorney general.

In the event there is a public hearing, the attorney general may engage the services of any expert

or consultant necessary to assist in reviewing the filing, including having the ability to seek

additional relevant information from the filer. Any such public hearing shall commence within

sixty (60) days after receipt of the filing. The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may

hold a hearing upon not less than ten (10) days' written notice to the public in a newspaper or

newspapers having aggregate general circulation throughout the state. The notice shall contain a

description of the rates proposed to be charged, and a copy of the notice shall be sent to the

applicant and to the insurance advocacy unit of the department of attorney general. Any

documents presented in support of the filing under this section shall be made available for public

examination at any time and place that the commissioner may deem reasonable.

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

hold a public hearing in any instance where the applicant covers ten thousand (10,000) or more

enrolled individuals in the individual market, and the rates proposed in the filing for the annual

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

increase of ten percent (10%) or more. The commissioner shall require that any filing for a rate

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increase for products offered in the individual market shall include the calculation of the "overall

average rate increase" in order to determine whether a public hearing is required.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

subsequent year whether or not it satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) of this section or

§§27-19-6(f) and 27-20-6(f) for that subsequent calendar year.

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

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

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

with subsection (c) of this section.

     (e) Public Hearings. If a public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section,

the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, upon that hearing may administer oaths,

examine and cross-examine witnesses, receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the

power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and require the production of all books,

papers, records, correspondence, or other documents which they deem relevant. The public

hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 (administrative

procedures act). Any designee who shall conduct a hearing pursuant to this section shall report

their findings in writing to the commissioner within a reasonable time following the conclusion of

the hearing with a recommendation for approval, disapproval, or modification of the rates

proposed to be charged by the applicant. The recommended decision shall become part of the

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

the issuance of the recommended decision or, if the commissioner hears the application without

the appointment of a designee, as soon as is reasonably possible following the completion of the

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

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

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

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

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

(administrative procedures act).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

used. Public comment shall be solicited by written notice not less than ten (10) days prior to the

date that either:

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

     (2) That written comment must be received by the commissioner.

     (i) The notice shall contain a description of the rates proposed to be charged, and a copy

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

attorney general.

     (3) The attorney general shall be permitted to conduct discovery in relation to the

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

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

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

may deem reasonable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

hearing.

     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 INSURANCE - RATE REVIEW ACT

***

     This act would create a uniform rate review procedure for rates proposed to be changed

or rating formulas proposed to be used by nonprofit hospital service corporations, nonprofit

medical services corporations and the catastrophic health insurance plan requiring public hearings

or public meetings with the applicant bearing the reasonable expenses of the filing. This act

would not limit the appeal rights of any person or entity that had the right to appeal a final

decision of the commissioner under the applicable provisions of titles 27 and 42 relating to health

insurance.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2017.

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