INS-HEALTH CARE/RATE APPROVAL

Amends the Department of Insurance Law. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall establish the Office of the Healthcare Advocate. Provides that the Office shall be administered by the Chief Health Care Advocate, who shall report to the Director of Insurance. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that all individual and small group accident and health policies written subject to certain federal standards must file rates with the Department for approval. Provides that unreasonable rate increases or inadequate rates shall be modified or disapproved. Provides that when an insurer files a schedule or table of premium rates for individual or small group health benefit plans, the insurer shall post notice of the premium rate filings and a filing summary in plain language on the insurer's website. Provides that the Department shall post all insurers' rate filings and summaries on the Department's website. Provides that the Department shall open a 30-day public comment period on the date that a rate filing is posted on the website. Provides that the Department shall hold a public hearing during the 30-day comment period. Provides that the Director shall adopt affordability standards that must be considered in any decision to approve, disapprove, or modify rate filings. Provides that after the close of the public comment period, the Department shall issue a decision to approve, disapprove, or modify a rate filing, and post the decision on the Department's website. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules implementing specified procedures. Defines "inadequate rate", "plain language", and "unreasonable rate increase".