R.I. sets student insurance standards

PROVIDENCE – Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller has issued new guidance for student health plans offered in this state, effective Sept. 1, saying he wants to “facilitate public understanding” of the plans and make sure they offer “reasonable” benefits for the price.
The guidance was issued as a “bulletin,” which does not have the force of law but gives notice of how Koller’s office interprets statutes that fall under its jurisdiction.
The bulletin covers any health benefit contract, plan or policy issued to a college, school, or other institution of learning; a school district or districts; a school jurisdictional unit; or the top executive or board of such entities, to cover students or other enrollees.
The plans must cover a minimum of $50,000 per student per accident or occurrence, Koller directed, and they may not impose annual or lifetime caps.
In addition, no plan may be offered in Rhode Island that is designed to provide benefits valued at less than 80 percent of premiums – meaning at least 80 cents of every premium dollar must be budgeted for members’ expenses, not administration, profit or other purposes.
Koller also set minimum disclosure standards, requiring that insurers provide a document, in at least 12-point type, with a notice of “any and all payments, charges, fees, or any other amounts that are paid to or retained by the policyholder,” per person.
The full bulletin is posted at www.ohic.ri.gov.