Bill > H1237

This bill enhances the role and responsibilities of the health care access bureau within the division of insurance, focusing on improved oversight of the small group and individual health insurance market. The bill establishes a deputy commissioner to lead the bureau with specific duties including protecting consumer interests, encouraging fair treatment of healthcare providers, and promoting equity and affordability in healthcare. The deputy commissioner will develop affordability standards for rate review, considering factors such as total consumer costs (premiums, out-of-pocket expenses), purchaser costs, and the impact on the state's healthcare cost growth benchmark. The bill requires the commissioner to appoint key staff including a chief health economist, chief actuary, and other professionals to support the bureau's work. To fund the bureau's operations, the bill mandates that health insurance carriers pay an annual assessment of $2,000,000, with additional funds to cover indirect and fringe benefit costs. The assessment will be allocated fairly among carriers, and they must pay within 30 days of receiving the assessment notice. The overall goal is to provide more robust oversight, improve healthcare affordability, and ensure fair practices in the health insurance market.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1237