While the NAIC and HHS continue deliberating on the finer points of the MLR, other groups are continuing to weigh in. The most recent, and some would say unlikely voice, in the MLR debate is that of the Maine Insurance Commissioner. According to an article posted late tonight on CQ.com, the Maine insurance commissioner “holds the distinction of being the first commissioner in the nation to request that Department of Health and Human Services officials exempt her state from the rules governing the so-called medical loss ratio, or MLR…”
Why?
According to a letter from the Maine Insurance Commissioner to HHS: “Absent a waiver, I believe that the federal MLR standard may disrupt our individual health insurance market.”
The CQ article also notes that many experts in other states do not think Maine’s situation is unique. In fact the article has a quote from Matt Salo, the NGA’s health policy director, who says “Insurance markets are very different in each of the states. Since there are a lot of unknowns with respect to how health care reform will impact these markets, if there were a relatively simple waiver authority available, I imagine a lot of states might be interested in that.”
To read the full article (which requires a CQ subscription) click here and to read the Maine Insurance Commissioner’s letter click here.
