Federal officials are deciding to judge health insurance rate increases of 10% or more for excessiveness in seven states determined to have ineffective rate review processes. The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight found rate review systems to be insufficient in Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Wyomingand four territories. Under final rate review regulations adopted under the authority of the Affordable Care Act, federal officials will conduct reviews “until those areas are able to strengthen their review processes and authorities,” CCIIO, a division of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced. The center also presented partnerships with three states – Iowa, Pennsylvania and Virginia – it deemed to have a partially effective review program.   … Read more »