Public hearing: HB 19 57 would set 60-day deemed approval for small-group rate filings; OIC warns of federal timing overlay
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Summary
A public hearing for House Bill 19 57 considered requiring small-group insurance rate filings to be deemed approved after 60 days, aligning with individual market rules; the Office of the Insurance Commissioner warned federal risk-adjustment timing complicates a hard 60-day deadline.
A public hearing on House Bill 19 57 heard testimony for and against imposing a 60-day deemed-approval deadline for small-group market rate filings to match the individual market process.
Sponsor Representative Schmick said the bill "aligns the individual market filings with small group" and aims to provide predictability and timeliness for the marketplace. The Association of Washington Healthcare Plans testified in support, urging discussion on predictability in addition to timeliness.
Jane Beyer of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner testified in opposition, explaining that a federal risk-adjustment program inserts information (risk-adjustment transfers) into the middle of the state rate-review timeline. Beyer said carriers often delay finalizing rates until the federal risk-adjustment data is available because it materially affects carriers' final rates; she emphasized the OIC's consumer-protection role and noted the practical necessity of accommodating federal timing to ensure accurate, justified rates.
A remote witness from WHOLE Washington opposed the bill on policy grounds, arguing more aggressive rate deregulation is not a solution to high health-care costs.
Ending: The hearing left unresolved implementation questions about how a 60-day deemed-approval rule would interact with federal risk-adjustment timing and OIC's rate-review responsibilities; staff and sponsors acknowledged further technical discussion may be needed.