STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman today said municipalities will be able to negotiate more competitive health insurance rates through a new law stemming from her proposal to require insurance companies to disclose previously-protected information on policy-claims experience.

"Getting access to their claims experience will allow cities and towns to seek out competitive rates and ultimately lower the cost of providing coverage," Wyman said. "That can translate into budget savings and relief for taxpayers."

Public Act 10-63, "An Act Concerning Transparency in Health Insurance Claims Data," allows municipalities to access information on their employees' most recent 36-month period of claims experience, monthly premiums and the number of those insured by coverage tier. Having that specific information can be crucial when negotiating premium rates with insurers, Wyman said.

"The law creates greater transparency in our health care system and gives employers the ability to make informed, financially sound decisions when determining who to choose as an insurance provider," she said.

The bill was passed by the General Assembly in May - 133-0 in the House and 35-0 in the Senate - and signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell on June 7.

"Our cities and towns have a right to know where their premium dollars are going," House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said. This is a common sense approach that will help key health care purchasers to negotiate the best rates on employee health insurance."

State Representative Steve Fontana (D-North Haven), House Chair of the Insurance Committee, said: "This legislation helps towns to control health care costs by giving them the information they need to make the most cost-effective decisions possible. I am pleased to have been able to work with Comptroller Wyman, Speaker Donovan and Senator Crisco to make this legislation a reality."

Gian-Carl Casa, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, said: "As the costs of health care continue to handcuff local budgets, PA10-163 would provide local officials with access to invaluable utilization data that could help tailor their local health plans and control costs. This option is a much-needed tool for towns and cities in their struggle for relief."

The State Comptroller appreciates input on this and other issues from residents of the state. Please feel free to contact her office by phone - (860) 702-3300; mail - OSC, 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106; or, via E-mail - osc.opinions@po.state.ct.us

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