Let public see insurer memos

New York State officials are being asked to approve sharp increases in the price of health insurance without allowing the public to see documents from insurers laying out their case for the hikes. Consumers who buy solo coverage are facing double-digit increases. They shouldn't be kept in the dark.

Benjamin Lawsky, the state superintendent of financial services, wants to make such memos public, as they are in at least 12 other states. That change, ending a policy of shielding the submissions under a trade secrets exception, will take effect late next month unless insurers get a court to block disclosure.

Public access to the rate-hike memos won't necessarily lead to smaller increases, since the cost of medical care is soaring. But the public is entitled to comment on the requests and needs to see the memos to make an informed case for holding the increases in check.

The policies in dispute cover 3 million people statewide who buy insurance individually or in small groups. The state can reject or modify the increases being sought. Large group plans, like those of major employers, are not included. Those premiums are based on each plan's claims experience.

Many of the affected insurers said disclosing the memos would give competitors an edge and could drive prices even higher. But with hikes up to 40 percent already on the table, consumers deserve to see how insurers justify forcing them to dig so much deeper into their pockets. hN