MN SF3095

Commissioner of Commerce must schedule a public hearing within 10 business days for health carrier rate increase filings exceeding 8 percent for nongroup, small employer, long-term care, or Medicare supplemental policies affecting at least 100 members in Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, or the metropolitan area.

Public hearings must be held no later than 90 calendar days before the proposed rate increase effective date and conducted according to Minnesota Chapter 14 procedures.

Rate increases over 8 percent cannot be approved or deemed approved until public hearings occur; commissioner and health carrier executives must be available to testify.

Health carriers must notify all enrollees within 10 business days of hearing notice, including the proposed rate, percentage increase from current rate, and hearing details.

Health carriers must pay all hearing expenses as determined by the commissioner, with payment due within 30 days; carriers may file objections within 30 days of billing with a commissioner hearing held within 60 days.

Provision expires for rate increases filed after January 1, 2014; effective for rate increases taking effect on or after January 1, 2011.