HF 3534

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/09/2010 10:14am

A bill for an act
relating to health insurance; requiring the commissioner of commerce to hold a
public hearing before approval of certain rate increases; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2008, section 62A.02, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 62A.02, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5b. new text end

new text begin Public hearing; certain rate increases. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding subdivisions
2, 3, and 3a, no rate increase over eight percent may be approved or deemed approved
by the commissioner until a public hearing on the proposed rate increase has been held
by the commissioner in accordance with chapter 14. The hearing must be scheduled
at a location that takes into account the geographical distribution of the customer base
affected by the rate increase.
new text end

new text begin (b) Once the public hearing has been set, the health carrier sponsoring the health
plan shall notify all affected plan enrollees of the date, time, and location of the hearing.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee, and an executive from
the health carrier sponsoring the applicable health plan, must be available to provide
testimony at the public hearing.
new text end

new text begin (d) The health carrier sponsoring the health plan shall pay all expenses reasonably
attributable to the public hearing held pursuant to this subdivision. The commissioner shall
determine the expenses and shall render a bill to the health carrier after the conclusion of
the hearing. The amount billed must be paid by the health carrier into the state treasury
within 30 days of presentment. Within 30 days after the date of presentment of any bill as
required by this subdivision, a health carrier may file with the commissioner objections to
the bill setting out the grounds upon which it is claimed the bill is excessive, erroneous,
unlawful, or invalid. The commissioner shall hold a hearing on the objection within 60
days in accordance with chapter 14.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective for rate increases due to take effect on or after January 1, 2011.
new text end