Latest News
2013 Health Insurance Premium Rate Review Process
On April 15, 2013 and May 15, 2013, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan, and United Healthcare filed with the State of Rhode Island Officer of the Health Insurance Commissioner to request approval for rates to be charged to individuals, small employers, and large employers effective in 2014.
April Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
April 23, 2013 4:30pm - 6:00pm at RI Dept of Labor & Training
March Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
March 19th, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at RI Dept of Labor & Training
Price Transparency Draft Bulletin
Commissioner Koller has prepared a draft Bulletin addressing issues of price transparency. Comments are solicited and requested by March 1, 2013 at healthinsinquiry@ohic.ri.gov.
February Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
February 19th, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at RI Dept of Labor & Training
Health Insurance Commissioner Conditionally Approves Health Insurance Premium Increases for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Subscribers
Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller announced his final decision granting conditional approval of health insurance premium increases for small and large employers who purchase their coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI).
On December 7, 2012, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island filed with the State of Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner to request changes to the company's rate components previously approved by Commissioner Christopher F. Koller on September 21, 2012 for rates effective in 2013. OHIC is currently reviewing BCBSRI's requested rate components, and as a part of its review, OHIC is soliciting public comment on what has been submitted by BCBSRI. All public comments must be received by OHIC by January 11, 2013.
2012 Rhode Island Hospital Payment Study
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, in partnership withthe Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Xerox Consulting, has released the 2012 Rhode Island Hospital Payment Study. This study, more than a year in the making, compares how Rhode Island's hospitals were paid for similar patients receiving similar services in 2010. This is the first study in the state's history that analyzes the whole hospital - inpatient and outpatient services - and both measures the variation in prices and researches why those prices may vary from hospital to hospital.
OHIC Regional Benchmarking Report 2012
Every year, Rhode Island health insurers propose premium increases for the small and large group markets. OHIC reviews these proposals, taking into account past company performance, market trends and, importantly, key benchmarks from around our region. OHIC commissioned Wakely Consulting Group to analyze certain metrics, allowing OHIC to assess the reasonability of submissions from RI's health insurers. The results of this effort are presented in the following report.
Enrollment Report Updated through June 2012
This report presents data on health insurance enrollment trends in Rhode Island's commercial market, as reported by the state's three largest private insurers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United Health Care, and Tufts Health Plan. These data reflect RI resident membership patterns across markets, companies, and employer size.
December 2012 Blue Cross Rate Submission
On December 7, 2012, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island filed with the State of Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner to request changes to the company's rate components previously approved by Commissioner F. Koller on September 21, 2012 for rates effective in 2013.
December Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
December 18th, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at RI Dept of Labor & Training
November Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
November 20th, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at RI Dept of Labor & Training
OHIC Lowers 2013 Health Insurance Premium Increases for Tufts Health Plan Subscribers
Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller announced his approval of 2013 health insurance premium increases for small and large employers who purchase their coverage from Tufts Health Plan that are lower than those previously approved in September 2012.
October Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
October 23rd, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at RI Dept of Labor & Training
2012 Colonial Penn Life Insurance Co.'s Medicare Supplement Rate Filing
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company ("Colonial Penn") has filed with the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner its proposed rates for its Individual Medicare Supplement policies sold in Rhode Island.
2012 United Healthcare Medicare Supplement Rate Filing
United Healthcare Insurance Company ("UHC") has filed with the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner its proposed rates for its Individual Medicare Supplement policies marketed in Rhode Island under the AARP brand name.
OHIC Releases Results of its Provider Survey for 2012
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner has released the results of its 2012 survey of Rhode Island physicians. The survey asked providers to describe their administrative burden and rate their experience of private health insurer practices on a number of dimensions.
OHIC Releases Report on Primary Care Spending in Rhode Island
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner has released a report that measures a key part of Rhode Island's health care system: spending on primary care.
OHIC Finds Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Engaged in Improper Rating and Underwriting Practices
Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller has issued an Order finding that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island engaged in unfairly discriminatory rating practices in group markets during the period of 2007 to 2009, and imposed a penalty of $250,000.
2012 Health Insurance Premium Rate Review Final Decision
On September 20, 2012, Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller announced his final decision, which significantly lowers all requested 2013 health insurance premium increases for small and large employers who purchase their coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan,and United Healthcare. Commissioner Koller was joined by Governor Lincoln D. Chaffee and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts at a public event held at EpiVax, Inc. in Providence, Rhode Island to announce the final decision.
2012 Blue Cross Individual Medigap Rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island ("Blue Cross") has filed with the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner its proposed rates for standardized Individual Medicare Supplement policies in Rhode Island.
2012 Bankers' Medigap Rates
Bankers Life and Casualty Company (“Bankers'”) has filed with the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner proposed rate increases for its standardized Individual Medicare Supplement policies in Rhode Island.
Chronic Care Sustainability Initiative Expands
The Chronic Care Sustainability Initiative (CSI) Project convened by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner announced the addition of three more primary care practices to the project, bringing the total number of participating sites in the all payer patient centered medical home initiative to 16.
2012 Rate Review Administration Cost Analysis Report
The Office of the Health Insurance Commission (OHIC) has released the next installment in its 2012 Rate Review report series. This report, a detailed analysis of administration spending from 2007 to 2011 and 2013 proposals, explains how companies use, and plan to use, premiums to support basic operations, cost containment efforts, and investments in system performance.
Notice of Proposed Conditions Relating to the 2012 Rate Factor Decision
OHIC is soliciting written comments from interested individuals and organizations concerning the Proposed Hospital Contracting Conditions until July 20, 2012.
Commissioner Koller Issues Statement on Supreme Court’s Affordable Care Act Ruling
The Nation's only Health Insurance Commissioner will continue to pursue an ambitious agenda in healthcare reform
Governor Lincoln Chafee, Lt. Governor Roberts, State Officials Respond to Supreme Court Decision on Affordable Care Act - (external link)
How the Health Care Law is Making a Difference for the People of Rhode Island - (external link)
No Overcharging in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is one of only two states in the country where no rebates are owed by health insurers.
June Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
Meeting location: RI Dept of Labor & Training
2012 Rate Review Process: Historical Trend Report
OHIC has also released the next installment in its 2012 rate review process report series. This report, a comparison of historical trends to this year’s rate requests, illuminates the drivers of rising premiums over time and the different ways health insurance companies use premium dollars.
2012 Rate Review Process: Public Comment Solicitation
Written comments may be sent to healthinsinquiry@ohic.ri.gov by June 21, 2012 and oral comments may be offered at a public input meeting to be held on June 11, 2012 from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the State of Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, 89 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick.
2012 Rate Review Process: Issuer Submissions Summary
OHIC has made available a summary of the 2012 rate filings submitted by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan, and United Healthcare. We will release additional analyses in the coming weeks.
2012 Rate Review Process: Issuer Submissions Filed with OHIC
On May 18, 2012, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United Healthcare, and Tufts Health Plan submitted their 2012 rate filings to OHIC for review. The decision rendered by OHIC on these filings will result in an approved average premium increase for 2013 for each insurer in both the small and large employer markets. OHIC will release a summary of the submissions and public comment solicitation in the coming days.
June Health Insurance Advisory Council Meeting
Meeting location: RI Dept of Labor & Training
2012 Hospital Contracting Conditions Standard Public Meeting
May 17, 2012 at RI DLT
Federal Rate Review Grants Jan-Mar Report Summary
This federal rate review grants quarterly report summary highlights a selection of OHIC’s accomplishments from January 2012 through March 2012 in order to assist interested stakeholders in understanding the initiatives undertaken by OHIC that are supported by this funding.
2011 Private Insurance Enrollment Study
This report is the office’s annual installment of the private insurance market study, which examines enrollment trends in commercial, or non-Government, health insurance programs. The report covers data from 2005 to 2011 for the three largest insurers in Rhode Island: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United Healthcare, and Tufts Health plan.
2012 Assessment Alternatives Study
This report analyzes and studies alternatives to the current special assessments levied upon health insurance premiums, including the child immunization assessment, the adult immunizations assessment, and the children’s health account assessment.
2012 Rate Factor Review for 2013
OHIC has provided the following guidance to the health plans for the annual small and large employer group rate factor filings
2012 Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Direct Pay Decision Issued
Final Order and Decision issued February 21, 2012
2011 Provider Survey
OHIC has completed its annual survey regarding provider interactions with health insurers. The survey asked physicians to assess health plan performance in several areas.
OHIC Releases Delta Dental Examination Report and Order
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner released and Examination Report regarding certain claims payment and claims denial activities at Delta Dental of Rhode Island. In an accompanying Order the Commissioner, Christopher F. Koller, set forth steps Delta Dental needs to take to come into compliance with applicable Rhode Island laws and regulations in several areas, and fined the company $25,000.
2012 Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Direct Pay Filing
OHIC Releases Affordability Standards Assessment
(December 9, 2011). OHIC has released a report assessing health insurers' compliance to date with the Affordability Standards developed by OHIC in 2009 with the input of its Health Insurance Advisory Council. The standards articulate priority areas for health insurer efforts to make health insurance more affordable in Rhode Island.
Federal Grants Awarded to RI
Rate Review II awarded October 1, 2011 Establishment two awarded November 29, 2011.
RI Dept. of Elderly Affairs/Medicare Assistance
MEGA Market Conduct Examination: 225,000 fine and $ 2.3 Million Restitution Ordered
OHIC analyzes commercial insurance enrollment trends
OHIC estimates that the number of privately insured individuals in RI covered by the three major carriers has declined by 65,000 - or 10% - in the last five years. UHCNE and BCBSRI have both experienced declines in enrollment. More enrollees are receiving their insurance through self insured arrangements
Proposed Regulation 16: Insurance Issued to Trusts and Associations
Notice of proposed amendments and notice of public hearing to be held on April 26, 2011.
Proposed Amendments to Regulation 2:
Powers and Duties of The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
Notice of proposed amendments and notice of public hearing to be held on May 4, 2011.
HEALTHpact
Affordable coverage for
RI
Struggling with rising health insurance premiums? Small employers should check out HEALTHpact plans. (click the logo for more information (external link).
What is the OHIC?
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) was established by legislation in 2004 to broaden the accountability of health insurers operating in the state of Rhode Island. Under this legislation, the Office is dedicated to: 1. Protecting consumers
2. Encouraging fair treatment of medical service providers
3. Ensuring solvency of health insurers
4. Improving the health care system’s quality, accessibility and affordability The Office sets and enforces standards for health insurers in each of these four areas.
