3rd Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 05/15/2010 12:07pm
A bill for an act
relating to insurance; establishing a small group market working group; requiring
a report.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of commerce shall convene a
working group to study and report on the options available to increase rate predictability
and stability for groups of 100 or fewer employees. Members of the working group
shall include:
new text end
new text begin
(1) two representatives from the Minnesota Council of Health Plans;
new text end
new text begin
(2) two representatives from the Minnesota Association of Health Underwriters;
new text end
new text begin
(3) one representative from the Insurance Federation of Minnesota;
new text end
new text begin
(4) one representative from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce;
new text end
new text begin
(5) one representative from the National Federation of Independent Businesses -
Minnesota;
new text end
new text begin
(6) two representatives from employers whose businesses employ 50 employees
or fewer;
new text end
new text begin
(7) two representatives from employers whose businesses employ between 51 and
75 full-time employees;
new text end
new text begin
(8) two representatives from employers whose businesses employ between 76 and
100 full-time employees;
new text end
new text begin
(9) one representative from employees of businesses that employ 50 employees
or fewer;
new text end
new text begin
(10) one representative from employees of businesses that employ between 51 and
100 full-time employees;
new text end
new text begin
(11) two senators, including one member from the majority party and one member
from the minority party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration of the senate;
new text end
new text begin
(12) two members of the house of representatives, including one member appointed
by the speaker of the house and one member appointed by the minority leader; and
new text end
new text begin
(13) the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's designee.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The organizations listed in paragraph (a), clauses (1) through (5), must name
their representatives to the commissioner of commerce no later than July 1, 2010. The
commissioner of commerce must appoint individuals as listed in paragraph (a), clauses
(6) through (10), no later than July 15, 2010. The legislative appointing authorities
must appoint individuals as listed in paragraph (a), clauses (11) and (12), no later than
July 15, 2010.
new text end
new text begin
(a) The working group shall conduct a study analyzing
the implications of expanding the small employer market to 100 employees. Topics to
be addressed in the study include, but are not limited to:
new text end
new text begin
(1) analyzing implementation options in expanding the small group definition
to 100 employees;
new text end
new text begin
(2) underwriting concerns and rating requirements and the implications of change in
small group market size on the entire health insurance market, and limitations on renewal,
enrollment methodologies, and processes;
new text end
new text begin
(3) costs for employers, employees, brokers, and health plans;
new text end
new text begin
(4) how to assist employers in understanding the implications of employers
migrating from fully insured to self-insured and associated risks;
new text end
new text begin
(5) a uniform application form;
new text end
new text begin
(6) education and compliance issues related to the offering of Section 125 plans
under Minnesota Statutes, section 62U.07; and
new text end
new text begin
(7) assuring compliance with federal law, including expeditious implementation of
federal health care reform requirements.
new text end
new text begin
(b) By November 15, 2010, the working group shall submit a report on its findings,
including proposed legislation, if any, to the Health Care Access Commission.
new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's
designee shall convene the first meeting of the working group no later than August 1, 2010.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner shall provide assistance with research or background
information and administrative support for the working group within the existing agency
budget.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The working group expires June 30, 2011.
new text end