NH Insurance Department to Hold Oct. 25 Annual Public Hearing on Health Insurance Premiums

CONCORD, New Hampshire, Sept. 30 -- The New Hampshire Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

The New Hampshire Insurance Department will host its annual public hearing on health insurance premiums and medical care cost drivers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2019, at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law in Concord. This year, the hearing will focus on insurance coverage and access to mental health care services.

The hearing will include a report on the 2018 data submitted by health insurance companies in New Hampshire. Richard G. Frank, Ph.D., health economics professor in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School, will present on "The Evolution of Mental Health Policy and Realizing the Aims of Improved Mental Health Care." There will also be a conversation about mental health care policymaking with Representative John Hunt and Representative Ed Butler. The hearing will include a public comment period.

"The New Hampshire Insurance Department's annual hearing is an important tool to increase transparency and foster dialogue about health care costs in New Hampshire. Each year, we convene key stakeholders to examine what's behind those high health care costs," said New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner John Elias. "The focus of this year's hearing on mental health care is of particular relevance, and I am excited that the Insurance Department is taking the annual hearing as an opportunity continue to facilitating discussions about access to mental health care with private insurance. New Hampshire needs to continue conversations about this critical issue and I am pleased that the Department can play a role."

According to state law, the Insurance Commissioner "shall hold an annual public hearing concerning premium rates in the health insurance market and the factors, including health care costs and cost trends that have contributed to rate increases during the prior year."

The hearing is open to the public, although seating is limited. Live streaming of the event is planned.

Reserve a seat to attend the event in person.

Register for the live stream option.

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About the New Hampshire Insurance Department

The New Hampshire Insurance Department's mission is to promote and protect the public good by ensuring the existence of a safe and competitive insurance marketplace through the development and enforcement of the insurance laws of the State of New Hampshire. For more information, visit http://www.nh.gov/insurance.