Report Title:

Insurance Rate Reductions; File and Use

Description:

Allows insurance rate reductions to take effect when filed, subject to the subsequent approval of the Insurance Commissioner.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1762

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to insurance.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 431:14-104, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (k) to read as follows:

"(k) The following rates shall become effective when filed:

(1) Specific inland marine rates on risks specially rated by a rating organization;

(2) Any special filing with respect to a surety or guaranty bond required by law or by court or executive order or by order or rule of a public body, not covered by a previous filing; [and]

(3) Any special filing with respect to any class of insurance, subdivision, or combination thereof which is subject to individual risk premium modification and has been agreed to by an insured under a formal or informal bid process[.]; and

(4) Any rate that when filed constitutes a reduction in a rate in effect and approved by the commissioner.

The rates shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this article until the time the commissioner reviews the filing and so long as the filing remains in effect."

SECTION 2. Section 431:14-106, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) If within thirty days[:

(1) After a] after:

(1) A specific inland marine rate on a risk specially rated by a rating organization subject to section 431:14-104(k) [has become effective; or];

(2) [After a] A special surety or guaranty filing subject to section 431:14-104(k) [has become effective]; or

(3) A rate reduction subject to section 431:14-104(k) or 431:14-120(c)

has become effective, the commissioner finds that such filing does not meet the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall send to the insurer, rating organization, or advisory organization, which made the filing written notice of disapproval of the filing specifying in what respects the filing fails to meet the requirements of this article and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, the filing shall be deemed no longer effective. The disapproval shall not affect any contract made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the notice."

SECTION 3. Section 431:14-120, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§431:14-120 Additional powers for workers' compensation rate filing and ratemaking. (a) The commissioner shall review filings as soon as reasonably possible after they have been made to determine whether they meet the requirements of this article.

(b) Except as provided herein[,] and in subsection (c), each filing shall be on file for a waiting period of ninety days before the filing becomes effective. The period may be extended by the commissioner for an additional period not to exceed fifteen days if the commissioner gives written notice within the waiting period to the insurer, rating organization, or advisory organization that made the filing that the commissioner needs the additional time for the consideration of the filing. Upon the written application by the insurer, rating organization, or advisory organization, the commissioner may authorize a filing which the commissioner has reviewed to become effective before the expiration of the waiting period or any extension thereof. A filing shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this article unless disapproved by the commissioner within the waiting period or any extension thereof.

(c) Any rate that when filed constitutes a reduction in a rate in effect and approved by the commissioner shall become effective when filed. The rate shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this article until the time the commissioner reviews the filing and so long as the filing remains in effect.

[(c)] (d) The commissioner may institute proceedings for appropriate relief including but not limited to proceedings to roll back current rates whenever it appears to the commissioner that an insurer or other interested persons regulated by this article affecting workers' compensation insurance rates has:

(1) Violated or failed to comply with any provisions of this part or of any state or federal law;

(2) Failed to comply with any rule, regulation, or other requirement of any other state or federal agency which affects workers' compensation insurance rates;

(3) Failed to comply with any provision of its charter or franchise;

(4) Set or applied any rates, classification, charges, or rules affecting workers' compensation insurance that are unreasonable or are unreasonably discriminatory;

(5) Failed to give appropriate consideration to investment income earned or realized by insurers, including investment income earned from unearned premium and loss reserve funds in making rates; or

(6) Failed to recognize good safety performance records of employers in setting premium rates and levels."

SECTION 4. Section 431:14F-105, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§431:14F-105[]] Rate filings. (a) Every managed care plan shall file in triplicate with the commissioner, every rate, charge, classification, schedule, practice, or rule and every modification of any of the foregoing which it proposes to use. Every filing shall state its proposed effective date and shall indicate the character and extent of the coverage contemplated. The filing also shall include a report on investment income.

(b) Each filing shall be accompanied by a $50 fee payable to the commissioner, which fee shall be deposited in the commissioner's education and training fund.

(c) At the same time as the filing of the rate, every managed care plan shall file all supplementary rating and supporting information to be used in support of or in conjunction with a rate. The managed care plan may satisfy its obligation to file supplementary rating and supporting information by reference to material which has been approved by the commissioner. The information furnished in support of a filing may include or consist of a reference to:

(1) Its interpretation of any statistical data upon which it relies;

(2) The experience of other managed care plans; or

(3) Any other relevant factors.

(d) When a filing is not accompanied by supporting information or the commissioner does not have sufficient information to determine whether the filing meets the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall require the managed care plan to furnish additional information and, in that event, the waiting period shall commence as of the date the information is furnished. Until the requested information is provided, the filing shall not be deemed complete or filed and the filing shall not be used by the managed care plan. If the requested information is not provided within a reasonable time period, the filing may be returned to the managed care plan as not filed and not available for use.

(e) Except for a rate filed in accordance with subsection (i), or a filing in whole or in part that the commissioner orders to be held confidential and exempt from public disclosure, a filing and any supporting information shall be open to public inspection upon filing with the commissioner.

(f) After reviewing a managed care plan's filing, the commissioner may require that the managed care plan's rates be based upon the managed care plan's own loss and expense information.

(g) The commissioner shall review filings promptly after they have been made to determine whether they meet the requirements of this article. The commissioner shall calculate the investment income and accuracy of loss reserves upon which filings are based, and the managed care plan shall provide the information necessary to make the calculation.

(h) Except as provided herein and in [subsection (d),] subsections (d) and (n), each filing shall be on file for a waiting period of ninety days before the filing becomes effective. The period may be extended by the commissioner for an additional period not to exceed fifteen days if the commissioner gives written notice, within the waiting period to the managed care plan that made the filing, that the commissioner needs the additional time for the consideration of the filing. Upon written application by the managed care plan, the commissioner may authorize a filing, which the commissioner has reviewed, to become effective before the expiration of the waiting period or any extension thereof. A filing shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this article unless disapproved by the commissioner within the waiting period or any extension thereof. The rates shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this article until the time the commissioner reviews the filing and so long as the filing remains in effect.

(i) The commissioner, by written order, may suspend or modify the requirement of filing as to any class of health insurance, subdivision, or combination thereof, or as to classes of risks, the rates for which cannot practicably be filed before they are used. The order shall be made known to the affected managed care plan. The commissioner may make examinations that the commissioner deems advisable to ascertain whether any rates affected by the order meet the standards set forth in section 431:14F-103.

(j) No managed care plan shall make or issue a contract or policy except in accordance with filings which are in effect for the managed care plan as provided in this article.

(k) The commissioner may make the following rate effective when filed: any special filing with respect to any class of health insurance, subdivision, or combination thereof which is subject to individual risk premium modification and has been agreed to under a formal or informal bid process.

(l) For managed care plans having annual premium revenues of less than $10,000,000, the commissioner may adopt rules and procedures that will provide the commissioner with sufficient facts necessary to determine the reasonableness of the proposed rates without unduly burdening the managed care plan and its enrollees.

(m) All managed care plans shall file initial rates within thirty days of January 1, 2003. These rates shall be in effect until approved by the commissioner. The time limits set forth in this article for the commissioner's review of rates shall not apply to the commissioner's review of initial rates; provided that the commissioner shall review the initial rates within a reasonable period.

(n) Any rate that when filed constitutes a reduction in a rate in effect and approved by the commissioner shall become effective when filed. The rate shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this article until the time the commissioner reviews the filing and so long as the filing remains in effect."

SECTION 5. Section 431:14F-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§431:14F-108[]] Disapproval of filings. (a) If within the waiting period or any extension of the waiting period as provided in section 431:14F-105, the commissioner finds that a filing does not meet the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall send to the managed care plan which made the filing, written notice of disapproval of the filing specifying in what respects the filing fails to meet the requirements of this article and stating that the filing shall not become effective.

(b) Whenever a managed care plan has no legally effective rates as a result of the commissioner's disapproval of rates or other act, interim rates shall be established as follows:

(1) In the event a filing is disapproved, in whole or in part, a petition and demand for a contested case hearing may be filed in accordance with chapter 91. The managed care plan shall have the burden of proving that the disapproval is not justified. While the action of the commissioner in disapproving the rate filing is being challenged, the aggrieved managed care plan shall charge the rates established or the filed rates, whichever is lower; or

(2) In the event a filing is approved, a contested case hearing in accordance with chapter 91 may be convened pursuant to subsection (c) to determine if the approved rates comply with the requirements of this article. If an appeal is taken from the commissioner's approval or if subsequent to the approval the commissioner convenes a hearing pursuant to subsection (c), the filing of the appeal or the commissioner's notice of hearing shall not stay the implementation of the rates approved by the commissioner, or the rates currently in effect, whichever is higher;

(3) The commissioner may waive or modify the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) if the application of those paragraphs will endanger the financial solvency of the managed care plan or the welfare of its enrollees. The commissioner may also order that a specified portion of the premiums be placed in an escrow account approved by the commissioner. When new rates become legally effective, the commissioner may order the escrowed funds or any change in interim rates to be refunded or allow the managed care plan to exact a surcharge on premiums, whichever applies.

(c) If within thirty days after a rate reduction subject to 431:14F-105(n) has become effective, the commissioner finds that such filing does not meet the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall send to the insurer, rating organization, or advisory organization, which made the filing written notice of disapproval of the filing specifying in what respects the filing fails to meet the requirements of this article and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, the filing shall be deemed no longer effective. The disapproval shall not affect any contract made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the notice.

[(c)] (d) If at any time subsequent to the applicable review period provided for in section 431:14F-105, the commissioner finds that a filing does not comply with the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall order a hearing upon the filing. The hearing shall be held upon not less than ten days' written notice to every managed care plan that made such a filing. The notice shall specify the matters to be considered at the hearing. If after a hearing the commissioner finds that a filing does not meet the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall issue an order specifying in what respects the filing fails to meet the requirements, and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, the filing shall be deemed no longer effective. Copies of the order shall be sent to each managed care plan. The order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the order.

[(d)] (e) (1) Any person or organization aggrieved with respect to any filing which is in effect may make written demand to the commissioner for a hearing thereon; provided that the managed care plan which made the filing shall not be authorized to proceed under this subsection;

(2) The demand shall specify the grounds to be relied upon by the aggrieved person or organization and the demand must show that the person or organization has a specific economic interest affected by the filing;

(3) If the commissioner finds that the demand is made in good faith, that the applicant would be so aggrieved if the person's or organization's grounds are established, and that the grounds otherwise justify a hearing, the commissioner, within thirty days after receipt of the demand, shall hold a hearing. The hearing shall be held upon not less than ten days' written notice to the aggrieved party and to every managed care plan which made the filing; and

(4) If, after the hearing, the commissioner finds that the filing does not meet the requirements of this article, the commissioner shall issue an order specifying in what respects the filing fails to meet the requirements of this article, and stating when, within a reasonable period, the filing shall be deemed no longer effective. Copies of the order shall be sent to the applicant and to every such managed care plan. The order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the order.

[(e)] (f) The notices, hearings, orders, and appeals referred to in this section, in all applicable respects, shall be subject to chapter 91, unless expressly provided otherwise."

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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