Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller is seeking public comment on a new set of “system affordability priorities and standards” for health insurers in the state, which once finalized and approved, would be unique in the nation, officials said.
Koller’s office has, since its inception in 2004, been charged with two broad criteria for which to hold insurers accountable: fair treatment of providers, and policies that promote improved accessibility, quality and affordability for the Rhode Island health system.
Aiming to set clearer standards for these criteria, Koller asked the Health Insurance Advisory Council, a group that advises his office, to review the matter and report back to him.
The council took on the project last October, holding open meetings and working with Koller’s staff and with local health plan medical directors and others. The draft document says the priorities were chosen to balance “what health services research indicates truly improves system affordability and what health plans could be held singularly accountable for without depending upon other stakeholders.”
The resulting priorities were:
Based on those priorities, the following standards were developed:
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The document also offers recommendations for implementation.
Koller’s office is accepting written comments, which can be submitted by e-mailing Lori Mello. In addition, the council is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, March 24, at 4:30 pm at the main conference room 73-1 of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, 1511 Pontiac Ave, Cranston, and will hear oral testimony then.
To read the entire document, go to www.ohic.ri.gov.
