How the Public Can Participate

If I comment, does the Green Mountain Care Board have to listen to me?

Yes. The board may not agree with you but they have to listen.

When can I comment?

You can comment starting when the filing is posted on the State of Vermont Rate Review website. The last day for public comment is listed on the website where each filing is posted. The comment period is usually about 75 days long.

Can I get help submitting a comment?

The Office of the Health Care Advocate (HCA) is available to help you with the comment process. There is no charge for our services. To reach the HCA, call 1-800-917-7787 or fill in our online help request form for free help.

How can I comment?

You can submit a comment on specific rate requests or on the rate review process in general. There are five ways to comment: online, email, mail, phone, and in person if a public hearing is held (see details below).

How do I make an online comment?

To submit an online general comment (not a comment on a specific rate filing) fill out a public comment form. You can also use this form to comment on a specific rate filing but you must state clearly which rate filing you are writing about.

To submit a comment on a specific rate filing, go to the “View Filings” page of the Vermont Rate Review website and:

1. click the insurer’s name under “View Filings and Decisions” on the left side of the page – locate the company and click on the company’s “Pending Reviews”

2. click the filing you wish to comment on, and

3. click the “Comment” button.

How do I make a comment by email?

When commenting by email, be sure to include which premium price change you are commenting on. Email your comment to the Green Mountain Care Board at gmcb.board@vermont.gov.

How do I make a comment by mail?

When commenting by mail, be sure to include which premium price change you are commenting on. Mail your comment to:

Green Mountain Care Board
144 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602

How do I make a comment by phone?

We suggest making a list of the main points you wish to make. Have your list in front of you before you call.

Call 802-828-2177. A person will answer during business hours. If all the lines are busy or if you call after hours, you will get voicemail. Leave a message with your comments or leave your name and phone number and ask for a call back.

When talking with a person or leaving a message, make sure to say which premium price change you are commenting on. Say your main points about the premium price change.

How do I comment in person?

You have the right to speak at the public hearing for a premium price change “rate filing.” However, public hearings are not held for all rate filings. To find out whether a hearing will be held for a particular filing, call the Green Mountain Care Board at 802-828-2177. For more information, see the “Public Hearings” section below.

Are there always public hearings?

Public hearings are not held for all filings. If there is a hearing, you can attend. Call the Green Mountain Care Board at 802-828-2177.

Can I speak at the hearing?

You have the right to speak at the public hearing for the filing. Rate review hearings can last several hours. The Green Mountain Care Board usually gives the public time to speak at the end of the hearings. Sometimes they also have an extra hearing, usually in the evening, where they just hear from Vermonters.

I have more questions.

If you have questions about a specific rate filing or public hearing, call the Green Mountain Care Board at 802-828-2177 or the Office of the Health Care Advocate at 1-800-917-7787 for free help.

How do I find out about rate filings?

You can sign up to be notified when companies ask to change their premium prices.

Can I get notices about rate filings?

To sign-up:

1. Go to the Green Mountain Care Board’s “View Filings” page.

2. Click on a specific insurance company’s name under “View Filings” on the left side of the page.

3. Click on the link “Subscribe to RSS for this provider.”

Repeat this process for as many filing categories as you wish.

What is an “interested party”?

An interested party:

1. is a party in the case
2. is copied on all non-confidential materials in the case
3. receives confidential materials if they sign a confidentiality agreement, and
4. may appeal the board’s decision.

Who can be an interested party?

Anyone can apply to become an interested party. To be an interested party, you must show that you will be “substantially and directly be affected by the rate request under review.”

Do you apply to be an interested party?

Yes. An application must be:

1. submitted in writing, and
2. filed with the board and served on all parties no later than 15 days after the date the board posts the rate request on its website.

The application must:

1. provide a detailed statement of your “substantial” and “direct interest(s)” in the proceeding, and
2. explain how you interest(s) specifically relate to the rate request under consideration.

The Office of the Health Care Advocate (HCA) can help you apply for interested party status. Call us at 1-800-917-7787 for free help.

Who decides “interested party” status?

The Green Mountain Care Board decides whether you are an interested party. They make this decision based on whether your application meet the requirements. If it does not, they may deny the application.

What is a friend of the court?

A person or organization may participate as a friend of the court. A friend of the court can help the Green Mountain Care Board by providing “non-duplicative” evidence related to the rate filing. Non-duplicative evidence means that what you tell the board must be different than what the insurance company and the HCA tell the board.

A “friend of the court”:

1. is not a “party” in the case
2. is copied on all non-confidential materials in the rate case
3. can introduce information into the official record for the case
4. receives confidential materials if they sign a confidentiality agreement.

Is there an application?

Yes. An application to be a “friend of the court” (amicus curiae) must be:

1. submitted in writing, and
2. filed with the board and served on all parties no later than 15 days after the date on which the board posts the rate request on its website.

The application must provide a detailed statement showing that the applicant will provide non-duplicative evidence relevant to the rate request under consideration.

The Office of the Health Care Advocate (HCA) can help you apply to be a friend of the court. Call us at 1-800-917-7787 for free help.

Who decides friend of the court status?

The Green Mountain Care Board decides whether you are a friend of the court. They make this decision based on whether your application meet the requirements. If it does not, they may deny the application.