Insurance Department opens public comment period
The Delaware Department of Insurance has launched a special section on its website for public comments with regarding the requested rate increase by Highmark.
The insurance company is the only option left in the private marketplace in The First State, and they have requested a rate increase of 33.6 percent. That rate request only applies to health insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act Exchange.
The launch comes as the Department requests an independent actuarial review of the proposed rate increase. Under Delaware law, when a rate increase request is filed with the D-O-I, the Commissioner must consider those review findings in addition to public comments before arriving at a decision on the proposed increase.
Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro stated: "Highmark's proposed rate increase is frustrating for many hardworking Delawareans who receive their health insurance through the "Obamacare" Exchange. It is only fair that the consumers who face this increase have their concerns heard. This initiative is designed in the interest of transparency. It will provide consumers an important opportunity to give input into the rate determination process and on the proposed request pending before the Department. Consumer comments will aid the Department in arriving at the best possible decision."
"One person says we have no business spending tax payers dollars criticizing private insurance companies in the federal government. Everybody else is expressing concerns they can't possibly handle this type of rate increase on top of the other rate increases they've had the last couple of years," said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Mitch Crane.
If enrollment remains constant from last year, approximately 27,000 consumers could be affected by this rate request.
Consumers who wish to submit comments in response to Highmark's proposed rate increase for Affordable Care Act plans may do so by visiting http://insurance.delaware.gov/public-comment/. Consumers may also submit their comments in writing to:
