What is rate review?
The rate review process, established by the Montana Legislature in 2014, does not give the Commissioner the authority to disapprove rates or prevent them from taking affect. It does give the commissioner the chance to review the factors insurance companies use in setting rates.
If the commissioner finds a rate increase to be excessive or unjustified, the insurer can voluntarily lower the rate increase. If the insurer decides to use the rate anyway, the commissioner will issue a public finding announcing that the rate is unjustified.
What does the department consider?
Rates reflect estimates of future costs, including medical and prescription drug costs and administrative expenses, and are based on historical data and forecasts of trends in the upcoming year. In its review, the Department considers these factors, as well as factors such as the insurer’s revenues, actual and projected profits, past rate changes, and the effect the change will have on Montana consumers.
Below, you can review information on pending rate filings for individual and small group products that comply with the reforms of the Affordable Care Act. You can access past year filings here.
Public Hearings
Presentation PDFs
- Commissioner Lindeen Presentation
- Bela Gorman, Gorman Actuarial, Presentation
- Montana Health Co-op Presentation
- PacificSource Presentation
- HCSC (dba Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana) Presentation
Supplemental materials
Proposed Rate Filings for 2017 Plans – Individual Market
Individuals buying individual insurance and receiving premium tax credits, will not experience the full impact of these increases because the tax credits caps the amount of premium they will pay.
Company Name | Requested Average Rate Change | Initial Filing Summary | Part II Justification |
HCSC (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana) | 62.1 % | ||
Montana Health Co-op | 22 % | ||
PacificSource | 19.8 % |
Proposed Rate Filings for 2017 Plans – Small Group
Company Name | Requested Average Rate Change | Initial Filing Summary | Part II Justification |
HCSC (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana) | 32.1 % | ||
Montana Health Co-op | 3 % | ||
PacificSource | 6.5 % |
View Final Rates