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hearing and to the public no later than 30 days prior to | | the hearing. |
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| | | D.__Notwithstanding the requirements for filing in | | paragraph C, if a hearing officer determines the report | | provided pursuant to paragraph B does not sufficiently | | address the information required to be provided in that | | report, the hearing officer may allow an extension of time | | for actuarial staff to provide additional information in | | the report. |
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| | | E. The carrier has the burden to prove that the rates | | requested are reasonable relative to the benefits and | | coverage offered. |
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| | | F.__A hearing officer shall make a recommended decision to | | the superintendent after the hearing.__The superintendent | | may accept the decision, accept the decision with | | modifications or reject the decision recommended by the | | hearing officer.__The superintendent shall notify each | | party to the hearing of the superintendent's decision and | | notify each party of the party's right to review or appeal | | of the decision. |
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| | | 3.__Advocacy panel.__When a rate hearing is required | | pursuant to subsection 1, the bureau shall impanel an advocacy | | panel to represent the interests of consumers and the public.__ | | The bureau may contract for the services of an advocacy panel | | if existing staff resources are not adequate to represent the | | interests of consumers and the public.__The carrier making the | | rate filing shall pay the cost of participation of the | | advocacy panel. |
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| | | 4.__Rules.__The bureau, after notice and hearing, may adopt | | rules to implement this section.__Rules adopted pursuant to | | this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title | | 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. |
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| | | Sec. 2. 24-A MRSA §2736, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 344, §8, | | is further amended to read: |
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| | | 2. Filing; information. When a filing is not accompanied | | by the information upon which the insurer supports such | | filing, or the superintendent does not have sufficient | | information to determine whether such filing meets the | requirements that rates not be excessive | | to the benefits and coverage offered, inadequate or unfairly | | discriminatory, the superintendent shall require the insurer | | to furnish the information upon which it supports the filing. | | A filing and supporting information are public records within | | the meaning of |
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