Date: 01/27/2015
Final
Presentation by the Division of Insurance
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE, & ENVIRONMENT
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10:39 AM -- Presentation by the Division of Insurance
Marguerite Salazar, Commission of Insurance, provided a handout to the committee (Attachment C). She discussed the role of the Division of Insurance (DOI) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies in licensing and regulating insurance companies and insurance agents. She discussed the financial reviews and rate reviews the division conducts on insurance companies. Commissioner Salazar stated the division approves health insurance rates. She discussed the division's consumer affairs team. Commissioner Salazar stated that in FY 2013-14, the DOI recovered over $9 million for Colorado consumers. She discussed how the DOI assists communities after natural or man-made disasters.
150127 AttachC.pdf
10:47 AM
Commissioner Salazar outlined the types of insurance the division regulates. She discussed the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the impact it has had on the DOI. Commissioner Salazar discussed the number of health insurance plans offered in Colorado and the reduction in the number of uninsured people in Colorado since the implementation of the PPACA.
10:55 AM
Commissioner Salazar responded to questions about what can be done in response to consumer complaints. She responded to questions about the availability of data related to the cost of health care and the All Payer Claims Database. In response to a question, Commissioner Salazar discussed market review examinations conducted by the DOI. She discussed the role of the DOI in reviewing and approving health insurance rates. Commissioner Salazar responded to questions about the PPACA. Commissioner Salazar and Peg Brown, Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Affairs in the DOI, responded to questions about the ability to buy health insurance across state lines. Ms. Brown responded to questions about the competitiveness of Colorado's insurance market.
11:13 AM
Commissioner Salazar responded to questions about how many rate increases are typically denied. Ms. Brown responded to questions about property and casualty insurance. Representative Joshi commented on the PPACA. Representative Mitsch Bush discussed a wildfire mitigation program in Eagle County. Ms. Brown responded to questions about the implementation of House Bill 13-1266, concerning the alignment of state health insurance laws with the requirements of the PPACA, and the ability of the DOI to align state law with the PPACA.
11:27 AM
The committee adjourned.