Rate reviews, Pre-existing conditions & Avg. Medical Loss ratios.

Health Reform's Rate Review Begins; Final Rule Is Amended?
The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) has amended a final rule regarding the ratereview program required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). On Sept. 1, 2011, state-federal review of health insurance rate increases began under the final rule, and health insurers seeking to increase their rates by 10 percent or more must submit their request to state or federal reviewers to determine whether they are reasonable or not.

Another New GAO Report Highlights the Slow Start of the Federal Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan?
The General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report last week on the Federal Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that analyzes the program to-date and breaks down data by state. It includes enrollment information, cost-sharing breakdowns, premium prices and eligibility criteria.

The full report can be found at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11662.pdf.

Average Medical Loss Ratios Exceeded Health Reform Standards?
From 2006 through 2009, traditional medical loss ratios (MLRs) in the small group and large employer markets on average generally exceeded the loss ratio standards established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) standards

The report, "Private Health Insurance: Early Experiences Implementing New Medical Loss Ratio Requirements," is available at:
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-711