If you buy health insurance on the individual market, without help from an employer, you may want to know what Maryland is doing to protect you from unfair and unnecessary premium rate increases. Here’s a summary of the Maryland laws that govern rate increases.
- Maryland requires prior approval of individual market rates before they go into effect.
- Insurers must file proposed rates at least 90 days before the effective date. COMAR 31.10.01.02A
- HMOs must file proposed rates at least 60 days before the effective date; HMO rates may not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. COMAR 31.12.02.08A.
- For nonprofits, rates may be disapproved if they are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. §14-126(b)(3).
- Rate filings are kept confidential.