§ 7216 — Regulations; exceptions

(a) The Commissioner may establish regulations to implement the provisions of this section and to assure that rating practices used by small employer carriers are consistent with the purposes of this chapter, including regulations that:

(1) Assure that differences in rates charged for health benefit plans by small employer carriers are reasonable and reflect objective differences in plan design (not including differences due to the nature of the groups assumed to select particular health benefit plans); and

(2) Prescribe the manner in which case characteristics may be used by small employer carriers.

(b) The Commissioner may suspend for a specified period the application of paragraph (a)(1) of this section as to the premium rates applicable to 1 or more small employers included within a class of business of a small employer carrier for 1 or more rating periods upon a filing by the small employer carrier and a finding by the Commissioner either that the suspension is reasonable in light of the financial condition of the small employer carrier or that the suspension would enhance the efficiency and fairness of the marketplace for small employer health insurance.

Legislative History

68 Del. Laws, c. 175, § 1 ; 68 Del. Laws, c. 340, § 1