Utah Rate Review Grants Award List
Cycle I Grant Application Summary
Utah Grantee: Utah Insurance Department
Award Date: August 16, 2010
Award Amount: $1,000,000
- Pursue Additional Legislative Authority: Currently Utah has no explicit authority to review or pre-approve premium increases. The State intends to develop legislative language to allow for expanded rate review in the individual and small group markets, and to add large group market review. In addition, language to allow public access to rate filing and creation of a web based portal for consumers will be developed. Legislation will be presented in the 2011 session.
- Expand the Scope of the Review Process: Utah will increase the number of reviews conducted, and expand the scope of review, with the goal of reviewing 50 percent of small and individual market filings and to add the large group market.
- Improve the Review Process: Currently insurers are required to file rating manuals with the department before use. Grant funds will be used to create a comprehensive health insurance premium review process. This will include development of review manuals as well as staff training.
- Increase Transparency and Accessibility: Currently all health insurance premium filings are deemed protected records under State law. Utah will attempt to gain legislative authority to create a consumer web based environment, and will implement a public hearing process.
- Develop and Upgrade Technology: Utah will collect, analyze, and report critical information about health insurance premium filings.
Cycle II Grant Application Summary
Utah Grantee: Utah Insurance Department
Award Date: September 20, 2011
Total Award: $3,315,679
Baseline Award: $3,000,000
Workload Award Amount: $315,679
- Introduce legislation: Utah will use funds to support the drafting of rules and laws for expanding authority into the large group market.
- Expand scope of rate review: Utah will conduct a study and work to draft legislation for the expansion of rate review authority over the large group market.
- Improve rate filing requirements: Utah will revise Rule R590-220 to include a written description justifying any proposed rate increase, as well as requiring other relevant data elements.
- Improve transparency and consumer interfaces: Utah will implement a web-based transparency database for consumer comments on the rate review process and increasing advanced notice to consumers before rate changes become effective. Utah's database will be accessible to consumers from all types of mobile devices and will allow consumers to compare health insurance rates between insurers, view requested rate changes, and provide meaningful data related to the cost of health insurance.
- Hire new staff: Utah will create 4 new positions with Cycle II grant funding; these positions are in addition to the 1 position created with Cycle I resources.
- Improve IT: Utah will continue to develop a consumer-friendly database and support data exchange capabilities between the State and federal government.
Last updated: September 21, 2012