Sandy Praeger, Commissioner of Insurance, will host health insurance informational meetings in Hays, Overland Park and Wichita in November and December.
The public meetings will focus on the new federal health reform law, health insurance regulation and how health insurance rates are determined.
“These will be educational presentations,” Commissioner Praeger said. “We want to tell the audience what the Kansas Insurance Department does and what we are able to do for Kansans regarding health insurance.”
Commissioner Praeger and others from the department will present the information at each meeting, followed by a question and answer period. The meetings are expected to last no more than 2 hours each.
“With the federal health reform law now in effect, it’s important for Kansas consumers, health providers and insurance agents to understand the changes and how the department must deal with them,” Commissioner Praeger said. “We also want to explain how health insurance companies arrive at the premiums for their customers, and how Kansas law determines our regulation of those rates.”
At the meetings, Commissioner Praeger will give an overview of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, followed by presentations from department personnel.
The formal session will end with an overview of the health insurance exchanges that go into effect in 2014.
The first meeting will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Hays Medical Center, Hadley Conference Rooms, 2220 Canterbury.
The Overland Park meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, at the University of Kansas Edwards campus, Regnier Hall Auditorium, 12600 Quivira Road.
The Wichita meeting will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Wichita State University Metropolitan Complex, Sudermann Commons, 29th and Oliver.
Kansas consumers with questions now can call the KID Consumer Assistance Hotline (in Kansas) at 800-432-2484.