The Green Mountain Care Board will waive a July 9 hearing on a proposed rate increase for the state-subsidized Catamount Health plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is proposing to increase rates by an average of 24.4 percent for the last six months of the Catamount plan and the premium assistance program, which will cease to exist Jan. 1. The plan and assistance program do not jibe with new federal laws under the Affordable Care Act.
The board holds hearings on proposed rate changes, if any party is interested. The parties can also come to a consensus to waive their right to a hearing. In this case, Blue Cross and the Health Care Ombudsman’s Office — representing the public — agreed to submit written testimony.
The public can comment on the matter until July 9 by sending an email to gmcb.rate@state.vt.us or by sending a letter to Judith Henkin, Health Policy Director, Green Mountain Care Board, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620.
