Commissioner Receives Wellmark Rate Increase Filing, Initiates Rate Review Process

Statutory rate review process begins with insurer filing for increase, opportunities for consumer comments and participation in hearings posted .

Des Moines, October 20, 2011– Iowa’s largest health insurer, Wellmark,  has filed a rate increase request with the Iowa Insurance Division for its individual health insurance policies on subscribers under the age of 65, effective on April 1, 2012. Because the average base rate increase of 9.35% exceeds a trigger point established in Iowa law, expanded rate review processes will be followed, including the use of an additional external actuarial analysis, the creation of a portal for the receipt of comments by consumers and the scheduling and conduct of public hearings as additional platforms for comments and discussion.

Reasons given by the company for the rate increase request are specifically attributed to cost of medical services, with none of the increase being used for administrative costs of the company in the conduct of doing business or making payments for the comprehensive health care claims of their customers.

Comments may be submitted for consideration by the Commissioner by calling the Consumer Advocate for Insurance at 877-955-1212 or electronically via this link. 

The public may join in a hearing to be held on December 10,  2011 at the Urbandale Public Library between 11:00 AM  to 12:30 PM or over the ICN system available at the following interactive sites at that time:

TY LOCTION ROOM

• Southeastern Community College, 1500 West Agency, W. Burlington, IA 52655

North Campus/Trustee Hall, Room #528

• Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd W, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Linn Hall, Room #107, (from lobby, 1st floor, end of east/left hall)

• Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51502

Looft Hall, Room #024, (downstairs lower northwest corner of building)

• Eastern Iowa Community College, 326 West 3rd Street, Davenport, IA 52801

Room #300

• Northeast Iowa Community College, 700 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001

Room #101

• Fort Dodge Public Library, 424 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Enter lobby of main entrance, turn left down hallway, last room on the left side

• Clear Lake High School, 125 North 20th Street, Clear Lake, IA 50428

Northwest side of the high school building, from the auditorium parking lot. Take next door to the north from auditorium doors, 1st classroom on left.

• Indian Hills Community College, 525 Grandview Avenue, Ottumwa, IA 52501

Advanced Technology Center, Room # 108, (Come in on the Alta Vista entrance and turn left at the first parking lot on the left. Go to the back of the building)

• Southwestern Community College, 2300 North 4th Street, Red Oak, IA 51566

Red Oak Center Room, Room # 116

• Western Iowa Tech Community College, 4647 Stone Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106

Building A, Room # D202 (Use Entrance # 14)

• Spencer Public Library, 21 East 3rd Street, Spencer, IA 51301

Go to adult's area of library. Sign will be on meeting room door.

• Hawkeye Community College1501 East Orange Road, Waterloo, IA 50704

Room # 110

About the Iowa Insurance Division

The Iowa Insurance Division (IID) has general control, supervision and direction over all insurance and securities business transacted in the state, and enforces Iowa’s laws and regulations. The IID investigates consumer complaints and prosecutes companies, agents and brokers engaging in unfair trade practices. Consumers with insurance or securities-related questions or complaints may contact the IID toll free at 877-955-1212 or visit the division on the web at www.iid.state.ia.us.