AN ACT CONCERNING PREMIUM RATE FILINGS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES.

SB 818 requires Connecticut's Insurance Commissioner to consider affordability when reviewing requests for health insurance premium increases for both individual and group policies. It mandates a public hearing (under standard administrative procedures) for any proposed premium increase exceeding the inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers. This bill directly affects health insurers seeking rate hikes above inflation and aims to provide transparency and consumer input for significant price changes. The policy change shifts review criteria to include affordability, rather than solely relying on historical pricing data.