In August 2010, the Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) received a Rate Review Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in order to:

1. 1. Raise public awareness about ADOI’s regulation of individual and small group health insurance rates, and gather information about what health insurance rate information would be helpful to the public.
2. 2. Identify and implement ways to increase the transparency of ADOI’s regulation of health insurance rates.
3. 3. Identify and improve ADOI’s procedures and processes for regulating health insurance rates.

For details about the grant please read the applications and award letters: ADOI’s Grant Application and Notice of Award from HHS.

In September 2011, ADOI received a No Cost Extension to this grant to gain additional time to complete the activities initiated under the 2010 Rate Review Grant and explore options for meeting "Effective Rate Review" standards. Under the No Cost Extension grant period (September 2012), ADOI’s work will focus on:

1. 1. Completing the tasks initiated during the original grant period, and
2. 2. Identifying and implementing the steps necessary for “Effective Rate Review”, beginning with individual health insurance and, later, small group health insurance.