Emergency rule adopted for health insurance open-enrollment program

COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson today announced the adoption of a rule that outlines the requirements insurance companies are to follow to inform Ohioans of the new rate-cap changes in the Open Enrollment Health Insurance Program. The next open-enrollment period begins Jan. 1 for the state-mandated program that allows all Ohioans who cannot otherwise obtain health insurance to get basic coverage through private insurers.

Gov. Ted Strickland signed an executive order implementing the Open Enrollment Program rule, which will allow Ohioans to retrieve the information needed to make timely, informed decisions about their health-care coverage.

After a phased-in approach, a cap on rates will eventually be 1 1/2 times the lowest rate charged to a person of similar age and gender. This change is eventually expected to reduce open- enrollment premiums by at least 50 percent.

Insurers will be limited in how much they can charge people with diabetes, cancer and other pre-existing or chronic conditions who purchase individual health policies through open enrollment.