Small Employer Health Benefit Plan Rate Guide; Call for Rate Information due no later than 1/01/06

Commissioner’s Bulletin # B-0068-05 December 01, 2005 TO: ALL CARRIERS ISSUING SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS IN TEXAS RE: SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN RATE GUIDE This bulletin announces a call for rate information for the Texas Small Employer Health Benefit Plan Rate Guide to be published by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). All carriers offering Small Employer Health Benefit Plans in Texas after December 1, 2005, are required to respond to this request. The guide will allow small employers to compare premium rates by plan design and carrier. The rate guide will also assist small employers in understanding factors that impact premium rates and how these factors will increase or decrease premium rates. You should only submit data for Small Employer Health Benefit Plans that have been approved and are offered for sale in Texas on and after December 1, 2005 . Carriers must provide the required information under authority of Section 38.001 of the Texas Insurance Code. The deadline for submitting the requested information is Friday, January 6, 2006 . Companies should enter their rates directly into a password-protected web page on the TDI website. The web address for the data collection form is: https://wwwapps.tdi.state.tx.us/inter/asproot/consumer/sergcall/sergcall_login.asp?Page=login All rate information should be for rates in effect on December 1, 2005 . The website provides detailed instructions on entering the requested information. Carriers are responsible for the accuracy of the data submitted. If you have additional questions, please call Carol Ann Carl at 512-475-1944 or e-mail her at carol.ann.carl@tdi.state.tx.us, or contact Melissa Hield at 512-322-4349, Sincerely, [ORIGINAL SIGNED BY MIKE GEESLIN] Mike Geeslin Commissioner of Insurance