Commissioner Redmer to Hold Second Public Hearing on Proposed Health Insurance Premium Rates

BALTIMORE, June 28 -- The Maryland Insurance Administration issued the following news release:

Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. will hold a second public hearing on Monday July 17th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Maryland Insurance Administration located at 200 St. Paul Place, 24th Floor Hearing Room, Baltimore, MD 21202 to receive public input on revised filings made by Kaiser Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic Inc. and Evergreen Health, Inc.

On June 1st, Kaiser Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic Inc. refiled its 2018 proposed rates for the individual market and requested a 23 percent rate increase for HMO plans. Kaiser previously requested an 18 percent rate increase. On June 20th, Evergreen Health Inc. refiled its 2018 proposed rates for the individual market and requested a 66 percent rate increase for HMO plans. Evergreen previously requested a 28 percent rate increase.

"We have received revised rate request increases from Kaiser Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic and Evergreen Health that we would like to vet with all of the stakeholders impacted by this filing. It's important that we discuss this issue in a public forum as it directly impacts the budget of Marylanders enrolled in the 2018 individual and small group markets," said Commissioner Redmer. "We are looking forward to hearing from interested parties on this important financial issue. We anticipate announcing final approved rates in mid-August."

Five insurance companies filed to sell in the individual market for next year, and 11 filed for the small group market. A summary of their requests can be found at www.insurance.maryland.gov. More comprehensive information from the carriers can be found at: www.healthrates.mdinsurance.state.md.us. This site also allows the public to submit comments through Monday July 31, 2017.

Any interested party is invited to attend the public hearing. Time limits may be imposed for oral testimony, depending on the number of people who attend. The Maryland Insurance Administration is located at 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, Md., 21202. The public hearing will be held in the Hearing Room on the 24th floor.

For those individuals who are unable to attend in person, the Administration will have a conference call line available. The number is 866-247-6034 and the passcode is 1573490062.

Written testimony may be submitted by emailing [email protected] or by faxing 410-468-2038 or by mailing the Maryland Insurance Administration, 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700, Baltimore, Md. 21202, attention: Nancy Muehlberger, Office of the Chief Actuary. All written testimony must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday July 14, 2017.

Questions about Maryland's rate review process should be directed to Todd Switzer, Chief Actuary at 410-468-2041, or by email at [email protected].