Signed by Governor David Paterson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health insurance companies to receive state approval before enacting premium increases or decreases and to inform premium holders of any proposed rate adjustments.

Highlights:

-Requires health insurance companies to send written notification of proposed rate adjustments to policy holders affected by the adjustment on or before the date that the rate filing or application is sent to the superintendent (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the superintendent to modify or disapprove of the rate filing or application if the superintendent finds that the premiums are unreasonable, excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, and may consider the financial condition of the insurer when approving, modifying or disapproving any premium adjustment (Sec. 1). -Requires that health insurance companies inform policy and certificate holders in writing of premium rate adjustments approved by the superintendent at least 60 days before rate adjustment goes into effect (Sec. 1). -Requires all policy forms, other than Medicare supplemental insurance policy forms, issued beginning in 2010 to be subject to a minimum loss ratio of 82 percent and that if the actual ratio in a given year is less than 82 percent then the insurer must take corrective actions such as future reductions in premiums (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text