MA H4949

Creates a new Division of Health Insurance within the Department of Banking, Insurance and Health Insurance, separating health insurance regulation from general insurance oversight

Establishes a Commissioner of Health Insurance position with authority over accident/sickness insurance, nonprofit hospital and medical service corporations, HMOs, dental and optometric service corporations, preferred provider arrangements, and long-term care insurance

Creates a Health Insurance Access Bureau within the new division, led by a deputy commissioner, responsible for rate review, small group and individual market oversight, and consumer information dissemination

Requires the bureau to develop affordability standards for rate review that consider consumer costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), purchaser costs, and alignment with the state's health care cost growth benchmark

Funds the new division through a $2,000,000 annual assessment on health insurance carriers licensed under chapters 175, 176A, 176B, 176E, 176F, and 176G