Rare Public Hearing Being Held on Insurer Rate Request

Regence has requested a 22% rate increase in its individual and small group product which currently includes about 60,000 Oregonians.

All rate increase requests are public information, but are often written in a way that is incomprehensible unless you happen to be an actuary. But you – and every other Oregonians – can also weigh in on each and every request. So, a meeting like the one being held on June 2nd in Portland is rare, but we may be seeing more meetings like this in the future if the public can get engaged.

We had a few questions for Rachel Oh, consumer liaison for the Oregon Insurance Division.  She provides guidance on consumer issues to the Insurance Division as they implement health care reform and evaluate legislative proposals. Rachel is also responsible for representing consumer interests during advisory committee meetings and is always looking for new volunteers (hint, hint) to represent consumers when the Insurance Division writes administrative rules. See Rachel’s comments here.