Premium Rate Restrictions

Section 52: Prohibit Employer Coverage Discrimination

Provides that Blue Cross plans may only offer policies to employers if the insurance is offered to all full-time employees. The employer must offer to cover the same premium contribution percentage for each employee but may allow greater contribution percentages to lower paid employees and separate percentages for employees with collective bargaining agreements.

Section 55: Prohibit Employer Coverage Discrimination

Blue Cross Blue Shield may only offer coverage to employers if the insurance is offered to all full-time employees. The employer must offer to cover the same premium contribution percentage for each employee but may allow greater contribution percentages to lower paid employees and separate percentages for employees with collective bargaining agreements.

Section 59: Prohibit Employer Coverage Discrimination

Provides that an HMO may only sell a group health plan to employers if the insurance is offered to all full-time employees. The employer must offer to cover the same premium contribution percentage for each employee but may allow greater contribution percentages to lower paid employees and separate percentages for employees with collective bargaining agreements.

Section 82: Permitted Premium Rate Factors

Sets the factors used to set premiums for the merged individual and small group market. This section establishes a maximum rate band range from .66 to 1.32 for the following factors: age, industry rate, participation-rate rate, wellness program rate, and tobacco use rate. Additionally, carriers can apply only the following factors outside the rating band in establishing premiums: benefit level, geographic region, adjustment factor for an eligible individual and a small group, and group size. Additionally, requirements are laid out for which carriers with 5,000 or more members will be required to file a plan annually with the Connector to be considered for the "Connector Seal of Approval."