DCI News

Jefferson City, Mo – Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, invited health insurers to join her for a roundtable discussion on this week in Jefferson City, MO.

Because of the number of issues impacting our health insurance market, as well as recent activity at both the state and federal level, Lindley-Myers felt it was a great time to increase the level of communication and collaboration between health insurers and regulators. The goal is to provide the best options and solutions for the consumers of Missouri.

“It is critical that we have these conversations with our health insurers in order to ensure we see all sides of a problem,” said Lindley-Myers. “We have a number of complex issues before us and, working together, we put ourselves in the best position possible to protect the interests of Missourians and continue to provide a healthy and competitive insurance market.”

At the roundtable, discussion took place around a number of topics including the recently released rule on Association Health Plans; 2018 legislation and implementation of Senate Bill 982; a lookback at the Department’s first year of health insurance rate review and other issues impacting the health insurance market that insurers wished to discuss with the Director.

Health insurance representatives were in attendance from: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Cigna, Cox Health Plans, Home State Health Plans, Humana, Medica and United Healthcare. 

“More than ever, it is essential for health insurers to have an open dialogue with our regulators and discuss the significant challenges impacting the market and find ways we can address those collaboratively,” said Coni Fries, Vice President of Government Relations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. “We appreciate the Director’s willingness to talk with us, share her thoughts and hear our perspectives on these issues.”