Golden Rule 2013 Proposed Rate Increase

As of November 28, 2012, Golden Rule Insurance, a UnitedHealthCare company, requested permission to raise individual health insurance base premiums by 15% in 2013.  The proposed increase for 2013 is subject to a minimum of 45 days consumer notification and a public hearing on in order to allow interested parties to comment on the request.  All comments should be submitted to the Consumer Advocate.  Electronic comments may be posted in the comment link below or emailed to consumeradvocate@iid.iowa.gov .  Letters may be mail to 330 Maple Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.  Faxed comments may be sent to 515-281-3059.  All comments received will be considered part of the public record and will be submitted to the Commissioner of Insurance along with the comments from the public hearing for consideration before a final decision is made regarding Golden Rule’s request.

A public hearing before the Commissioner of Insurance will be held on January 12, 2013 at 11 am.  Consumers wishing to participate in the public hearing before the Commissioner may do so at:

• Council Bluffs:  Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Rd., Looft Hall, Rm #024
• Cedar Rapids:  Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Linn Hall, Rm # 2184
• Spencer:  Spencer Public Library, 21 E. 3rd Street, ICN Room
• Des Moines:  Mercy college of Health Sciences, 928 6th Ave., Sullivan Center, Rm # 210

All documents related to Golden Rule’s request can be found below:

Application for Rate Increase Golden Rule_2013

2013 Golden Rule Insurance Proposed Rate Increase Report on Public Testimony and Comments

Golden Rule Insurance Proposed Rate Increase Hearing Transcript

Golden Rule 2013 Decision

Comments regarding Golden Rule’s request maybe additionally submitted below:

Wellmark 2013 Proposed Rate Increase: Public Comment, Hearing Information, Public Records

As of November 7, 2012, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa has requested a rate increase amount of 12-13% for 2013.  The proposed increase for 2013 is subject to a minimum of 45 days consumer notification and a public hearing in order to allow interested parties to comment on the request.  All comments should be submitted to the Consumer Advocate.  Electronic comments may be posted in the comment link below or emailed to consumeradvocate@iid.iowa.gov .  Letters may be mail to 330 Maple Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.  Faxed comments may be sent to 515-281-3059.  All comments received will be considered part of the public record and will be submitted to the Commissioner of Insurance along with the comments from the public hearing for consideration before a final decision is made regarding Wellmark’s request.

A public hearing before the Commissioner of Insurance will be held on January 5, 2013 at 11 am.  Consumers wishing to participate in the public hearing before the Commissioner may do so at:

• Cedar Rapids:  Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW (Linn Hall, Room 2184
• Clarinda:  Iowa Western Community College, 923 E. Washington (in Clarinda Center, Room 306)
• Council Bluffs:  Iowa western Community College, 2700 College Road (Looft Hall, Room 024)
• Davenport:  Davenport Public Library, 321 Main Street (ICN Room)
• Denison:  Denison High School, 819 n 16th Street (Room 127)
• Des Moines:  Mercy College of Health Sciences, 928 6th Ave. (Sullivan Center, Room SC210, entrance at the northeast door)
• Dubuque:  Keystone Area education Agency 1- Dubuque, 231 Chaney Rd. (Room 2)
• Fairfield:  Fairfield High School, 605 E. Broadway ( Room 16)
• Fort Dodge:  Fort Dodge Public Library, 424 Central Ave. (ICN Room)
• Mason City:  North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive (Activity Center, Room 106)
• Sioux City:  Western Iowa Tech Community College, 4647 Stone Ave. (Building A, Room D201)
• Spencer:  Spencer Public Library, 21 E 3rd Street (ICN Room)
• Waverly:  Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Ave. (ICN Room)

All hearing locations will be connected through video conferencing allowing direct communication, video, and participation regardless of the specific location.

Additional documentation and public information regarding the requested proposed increase:

Application_Wellmark_Pools 3-5_2013

Application_Wellmark_2013

Application_Wellmark Farm Bureau Assocation_2013

Application_HMO_WHPI_ Farm Bureau Assocation 2013

Application_HMO_WHPI Individual_ 2013

2013 Wellmark Hearing Public Testimony and Comments Report

4-1-13 Wellmark_MM13 combined

Magnum report – Wellmark Individual

4-1-2013 Wellmark 2013 Decision with links

Time and John Alden Proposed 2013 Rate Increase and Public Hearing

The Assurant Health Companies, Time Insurance Company and John Alden Life Insurance Company, have requested an increase of base premium rates of 9%.  The requested increase is subject to 45 advance consumer notice and a public hearing in order to allow policy holders and interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed increase before the Commissioner decision is made on the requested increase.  Comments may be submitted to the Consumer Advocate directly online below.  Comments may also be emailed to ConsumerAdvocate@iowa.gov or mailed to 330 Maple Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.  Faxed comments may be sent to 515-281-3059.

Additional documents regarding the proposed request:

2013_01_01 IA_ TIC HHS part 1 – RateSummaryTemplate_2012_09_11

2013_01_01 IA_ TIC Part II Written

Explanation of the Rate Increases_2012_09_12

1-1-13 Assurant Time_John Alden – Division Actuarial Review

Assurant 2013 Independant Actuarial Reviews

2013 Assurant Hearing Public Testimony and Comments Report

Assurant 2013 Public Hearing Transcript

Decision for Assurant 2013 Rate Increase Request

The Commissioner of Insurance will be presiding over a public hearing on the proposed rate increase on Oct. 27, 2012.  The hearing will be held simultaneously by ICN video conferencing at the following sites:

Mercy College of Health Sciences	928 6th Avenue	Des Moines
North Iowa Area Community College	500 College Dr	Mason City
Kirkwood Community College	123 Jones Hall, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW	Cedar Rapids
Spencer Public Library	21 E 3rd St	Spencer
Council Bluffs Public Library	400 Willow Ave	Council Bluffs
Sioux City Public Library	529 Pierce St	Sioux City

Wellmark Proposes 2012 Rate Increase

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa has requested to increase rates for most of its pre-65 individual health insurance policy holders by 9.35% starting April 1, 2012.  Consumers and consumer groups are welcome post and read the comments or concerns for this proposed increase on this website or on the linked Twitter page.  All comments and concerns submitted here or to the Consumer Advocate are considered public.  All comments and concerns submitted on the website or directly to the Consumer Advocate will be provided to the Iowa Commissioner of Insurance during the public hearing for this proposed increase for consideration.  Information related to the proposed rate increase may be found below.

Wellmark’s Rate Increase Documents and Reports:

2012 Wellmark Rate Increase Application to the Commissioner

Public Hearing Location

2012 Wellmark Hearing Agenda

Transcript of December 10, 2011 Hearing

2012 Wellmark Hearing Public Testimony and Comments Report

Iowa Insurance Division Actuarial Review of Rate Increase Application – 2012 Wellmark

MAGNUM Actuarial Group Independent Actuary Review of Rate Increase Application – 2012 Wellmark

Rate Proposal Review Decision

The comment period has closed.

Read the Press Release Announcing the 2011 Proposed Wellmark Rate Increase

2011 Wellmark Decision Press Release

Read the Transcript of the January 6, 2011 Wellmark Proposed Rate Increase Public Hearing

6 Jan 2011 Wellmark Public Hearing Transcript

Consumer Advocate Report Regarding the Public Testimony and Comments

Click below to read the Consumer Advocate’s report reviewing the public comments and testimony presented to the Commissioner of Insurance.  All comments included in the report were received on or before January 6, 2011. 

2011 Wellmark Hearing Public Testimony and Comments Report

Read the Actuarial Opinions for Wellmark’s Proposed 2011 Increase

THE INSURANCE DIVISION ACTUARIAL REVIEW:  The Iowa Insurance Division maintains departmental actuaries to assist the Commissioner of Insurance in reviewing rate increase applications.  Click here to read the Iowa Insurance Division’s actuaries report to the Commissioner:  Insurance Division Reivew 4-1-1_2011 Wellmark Rate Filing

THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW:  By Executive Order, all health insurance rate increases are subject to independent actuarial review, before a decision is made on a rate application.  This review is completely separate from the departmental review of proposed rate increase applications.    The independent actuaries, Lewis and Ellis Inc., only work for government agencies (never insurance companies due to conflicts of interests) and are located out of state.  Click here to review the Independent Review LE Report – Wellmark 2011 .

Agenda for Proposed Rate Increase Public Hearing

Wellmark Hearing Agenda

Policyholders Can Weigh in on Hearing Without the Drive to Des Moines

The Insurance Division has worked with contacts to provide remote teleconferencing locations throughout Iowa during the hearing.  The teleconferencing of the hearing, which will physically occur in the Insurance Division’s Des Moines office building, will enable the public to hear any presentations or statements made during the hearing remotely from select locations, as well as provide an opportunity for consumers to make statements to the Commissioner during the public comment period.  Each remote site will provide speakerphone access to the meeting for anyone wishing to voice their comments or for anyone just wanting to listen to the process.

Click here for a list of Teleconferencing Cities .