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DOI Review of Small Group Health Insurance Rates

SECTION 107.   Section 6 of chapter 176J of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking subsection (c), as most recently amended by section 31A of chapter 359 of the acts of 2010, and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

(c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner may require carriers offering small group health insurance plans, including carriers licensed under chapters 175, 176A, 176or 176G, to file all changes to small group product base rates and to small group rating factors at least 90 days before their proposed effective date. The commissioner shall disapprove any proposed changes to base rates that are excessive, inadequate or unreasonable in relation to the benefits charged. The commissioner shall disapprove any change to small group rating factors that is discriminatory or not actuarially sound. The determination of the commissioner shall be supported by sound actuarial assumptions and methods, which shall be provided in writing to the carrier. Rate filing materials submitted for review by the division shall be deemed confidential and exempt from the definition of public records in clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4. The commissioner shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.
 

Veto Explanation:
I am vetoing this section because it will decrease efficiency and transparency in the Division of Insurance's rate hearings.