§ 23-98-110 - Approval of forms and rates. - Arkansas Statutes

23-98-110. Approval of forms and rates.

(a) All minimum basic benefit policy forms, including applications, enrollment forms, policies, certificates, evidences of coverage, riders, amendments, endorsements, disclosure forms, and marketing communications used in connection with the sale or advertisement of a minimum basic benefit policy shall be submitted to the Insurance Commissioner for approval in the same manner as required by 23-79-109(a) or 23-76-112(a).

(b) Minimum basic benefit policies are subject to the filing and approval statutes, rules, and regulations of the state. No rate shall be considered reasonable nor shall it be approved unless:

(1) It is based upon a pool, community rating, or other rating formula acceptable to the commissioner; and

(2) (A) As to individual policies and policies issued to qualified trusts, it is likely to produce a loss ratio, as certified by a qualified actuary, which is acceptable to the commissioner, but in no event shall such a loss ratio be less than sixty-five percent (65%).

(B) However, the commissioner may set a minimum loss ratio for group policies issued pursuant to this chapter if the commissioner determines that inequitable or unfair treatment of policyholders would otherwise result.

(c) To the extent that an insurer has a surplus in a given year which has been generated on minimum basic benefit policies issued pursuant to this chapter to a qualified group by a loss ratio of less than seventy-five percent (75%) or issued pursuant to this chapter to qualified individuals, qualified families, or qualified trusts by a loss ratio of less than sixty-five percent (65%), that surplus shall be taken into consideration in setting rates in following years in such manner as to benefit the holders of such minimum basic benefit policies.

(d) (1) The commissioner may require that as to each minimum basic benefit policy approved, the insurer provide a statement of the portion of the rate or premium applicable to the minimum basic benefit policy coverage required by this chapter, or the commissioner pursuant to this chapter, or such other information as the commissioner may require so that prospective purchasers of policies pursuant to this chapter may have an ability to make a direct comparison of the cost of the minimum basic benefits within policies of the same class issued by different insurers.

(2) The commissioner may include rate comparison or other cost information in the form of notice which may be provided by the commissioner to employers pursuant to this chapter.