Notice of Publication of Hospital Rates

MARTIN O'MALLEY Governor ANTHONY G. BROWN Lt. Governor MARYLAND INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION BETH SAMMIS Acting Commissioner KAREN STAKEM HORNIG Deputy Commissioner 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 1-800-492-6116 TTY: 1-800-735-2258 www.mdinsurance.state.md.us # BULLETIN 10-04 Date: January 26, 2010 To: Insurers, Nonprofit Health Service Plans, and Health Maintenance Organizations Selling Health Insurance Coverage in Maryland Re: Notice of Publication of Maryland Hospital Rates The purpose of this bulletin is to notify insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations that the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) has published the fiscal year 2010 hospital rates on its web site at: http://www.hscrc.state.md.us/hsp_Rates2.cfm. Maryland law requires that all entities pay hospitals for hospital services rendered on the basis of the rate approved by the HSCRC. For fiscal year 2010, the hospital rate update factor is 1.77%. The hospital rate update factor for fiscal year 2009 was 4.2%. It is the expectation of the Maryland Insurance Administration that rate filings for health insurance coverage will reflect these changes in the allowable hospital charges in the development of expected medical trend factors. Any questions related to the insurance aspects of this bulletin should be directed to Dennis Yu, in the Office of the Chief Actuary at 410-468-2041. Questions related to the hospital rates established by the HSCRC should be directed to the HSCRC at 410-764-2605. Beth Sammis Acting Commissioner