Ohio gets $4 million HHS grant to combat premium hikes

According to a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services, Ohio has been awarded a $4 million grant to “help fight unreasonable premium increases,” (Source: “Affordable Care Act grants provide $4,091,507 to help fight health insurance premium hikes in Ohio,” HHS press release via MarketWatch, Sept. 20, 2011).

The $4,091,507 given to Ohio is part of $250 million allotted to states so that they can enforce the Affordable Care Act requirement, which went into effect on Sept. 1, that health insurers seek approval and publically justify increasing rates by 10 percent or more in the individual and small group market. 

According to the HHS release, Ohio is proposing to use the grant funds in the following ways:

• Hire additional staff to review filings in a more comprehensive manner, with all forms and rates in a single filing. Analysts will also conduct market conduct reviews to make certain rates are calculated according to the filing rules.
• Upgrade its internal IT system to develop a consumer-friendly web application to assist Ohio residents in using product and pricing information.
• Create 3 new positions with Cycle II grant funding; these positions are in addition to the 5 positions created with Cycle I funds.
• Create a rate and policy database to conform rate review with reporting requirements to help synchronize internal data with that published to the public on the Federal web portal