MN HF3198

Legislative auditor requested to study disparities in health insurance rates across Minnesota's nine geographic rating areas for individual and small group markets, with recommendations to reduce or eliminate rate differences

Study must identify factors causing higher rates in certain areas, assess the impact of referral centers on southeastern Minnesota rates, and analyze strategies individuals and employers use to obtain insurance in lower-cost areas

Legislative auditor directed to develop at least three proposals for redrawing geographic rating area boundaries, with at least one reducing the total number of areas, designed to reduce rate disparities while considering provider networks and federal regulatory requirements

Health carriers, health systems, and the commissioner of health required to cooperate with legislative auditor's information requests necessary to conduct the study

Legislative auditor must complete study and submit report by January 1, 2019, to chairs and ranking minority members of legislative committees with health care and insurance jurisdiction; appropriation from general fund provided for fiscal year 2019