NYS 2019 Small Group Rate Requests
Health insurance carriers in New York State are required to file their rate requests with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) by June 1st each year. The filing serves as a hint of what’s to come for both small and large group insurance rates in the coming year. DFS and the NYS Legislature have the right to deny these requests, but it’s generally accepted that they would never recommend an increase in what the carriers are projecting.
This year, rate requests across the board are lower than what’s been requested since NYS re-enacted it’s Legislative approval process. That bodes well for businesses who continue to struggle with the ever increasing employee health insurance costs that make up the bulk of their non-salary compensation expenses. Here’s a look at some Upstate New York carrier requests:
| Lowest Rate Request | Highest Rate Request | Weighted Average Rate Request | |
| Excellus BCBS | -2.6% | +8.9% | +3.8% |
| MVP Health | -1.4% | +10.6% | +7.0% |
| Capital District Health Plan (CDPHP) | -0.3% | +9.9% | +6.1% |
| United Health Care | +6.0% | +10.5% | +7.2% |
| Oxford Health Insurance | -3.1% | +11.2% | +8.3% |
All rate filings for the State of New York can be found here: NYS DFS Rate Filings 2019
If you’re interested in knowing the rate filing specific to your health plan please contact us.