Health insurance premiums are the monthly amount that you or your employer pay to an insurance company. The insurance company collects premiums from all of its policyholders and uses that money to pay medical claims. The insurance company can also use premiums to pay for administrative expenses and to earn a profit.
Rate Increases
Health insurers must make an application to the Department of Financial Services to evaluate their proposed rate changes. The Department reviews the rate applications along with the insurer’s underlying calculations to make sure that rate increases are justified and not excessive. During review, DFS may request more information from the insurer and consider comments from policyholders or the public. Rate applications and all documents relating to an application can be found here:
Proposed Rate Increases and Public Comments
DFS allows policyholders to submit comments about an insurer’s proposed premium rate increase. Insurers must also send their customers a notice about a proposed premium rate increase when they file the application with DFS. This notice should state that an application has been filed and that you can review the application on the DFS website and submit comments about the premium increase. The insurance company is also required to send policyholders a second, more specific notice if a final premium rate has been approved. This notice will contain more specific information about your particular premiums.
- Comments should only apply to open applications.
- Please submit comments within 30 days of the date a filing is posted on the Department website.
- Comments received may be posted on this website. Personal contact information will NOT be shown.
- Including your contact information (address & telephone number) is optional, and will not be made public.
Comments will be considered by Department staff as they review insurance rates change filings for compliance with Department guidelines and actuarial standards.
Submit Comments Online
To submit a comment about an insurer's request for a health insurance rate increase use our secure DFS Portal:
Submit Comments by Mail
send comments by mail to:
New York State Department of Financial Services
Health Bureau - Premium Rate Adjustments
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12257
FAQs
See some of the most frequently asked questions about health insurance rates and increases.