A bill that would set a fixed 60‑day deemed‑approval clock for small‑group insurance rate filings drew both support and caution at a House Health Care & Wellness Committee public hearing.

House Bill 19 57, introduced by Representative Schmick, would align timing for small‑group rate approvals with the current state timeline for individual market filings — requiring small‑group filings to be deemed approved 60 days after submission to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).

Why it matters: Insurers and employers use small‑group rates to budget and make coverage choices. Proponents said greater predictability helps market participants plan. OIC staff warned the measure could conflict with federal programs that affect rates after insurers file, chiefly the Affordable Care Act’s risk‑adjustment program.

What testimony said

- Jennifer Ziegler, Association of Washington Health Plans (support): The association backed more predictability and timeliness for payers and suggested the discussion should also cover predictability, not only timeliness.

- Jane Beyer, Office of the Insurance Commissioner (other than staff): OIC staff testified in opposition or caution. Beyer outlined the federal overlay: the ACA risk‑adjustment program redistributes funds among carriers after enrollment patterns are known, and that federal data arrives during the state review window (June–August). Beyer said carriers routinely adjust rates after they receive risk‑adjustment results and that the agency needs flexibility to reflect those adjustments before final approval. "We are required to have the individual market rates done in early September so those plans can be sold through the exchange and by October 15 for small group plans," she said, adding the federal timing often drives late changes.

- Catherine Lundowski (remote, WHOLE Washington, oppose): Argued that easing rate regulation is not a solution to rising health costs and urged lawmakers to pursue other cost‑control models used internationally.

Committee next steps: The bill was heard in public comment only; no committee final action occurred in this meeting. OIC requested follow‑up conversations to reconcile state‑level timeliness goals with federal risk‑adjustment timing.

Context and technical point: The OIC requires carriers to file rates in May to meet exchange and October deadlines; risk‑adjustment calculations arrive in mid‑summer and can materially affect final premiums, which is the core of OIC’s concern about a fixed deeming rule.