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    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesAdministrative/Operational PolicyAlabama rating-area policy update | OpenPayer
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    CurrentAlabama Department of InsurancePolicy 2013-04

    Federal premium rate reforms – rating areas

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    Defines Alabama's rating areas (13 total) for application of federal premium rate reforms for individual and small group health insurance plans beginning January 1, 2014; affects insurers writing health insurance in Alabama.

    Policy Summary
    PayerAlabama Department of Insurance
    PolicyFederal premium rate reforms – rating areas
    Policy CodePolicy Policy 2013-04
    Change TypeInformational — implementation of federal rating-area default
    Effective DateJan 1, 2014
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionEstablish the 13 geographic rating areas (12 metropolitan + 1 non-metropolitan) for individual and small group markets in Alabama.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.

    13rating areas established in Alabama
    12metropolitan rating areas
    1non-metropolitan rating area

    Alabama Geographic Rating Areas

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    Alabama geographic rating areas (Appendix A)

    Geographic rating area assignments for the individual and small group markets in Alabama are specified by rating area number and county.

    Alabama will use 13 rating areas for the individual and small group markets: the state's 12 metropolitan statistical areas plus one rating area comprising all non-metropolitan statistical areas (45 C.F.R. § 147.102 default approach applies).

    Appendix A — Rating area definitions

    • Rating Area 1: County list: Calhoun.
    • Rating Area 2: County list: Lee.
    • Rating Area 3: County list: Bibb; Blount; Chilton; Jefferson; St. Clair; Shelby; Walker.
    • Rating Area 4: County list: Russell.
    • Rating Area 5: County list: Lawrence; Morgan.
    • Rating Area 6: County list: Geneva; Henry; Houston.
    • Rating Area 7: County list: Colbert; Lauderdale.
    • Rating Area 8: County list: Etowah.
    • Rating Area 9: County list: Limestone; Madison.
    • Rating Area 10: County list: Mobile.
    • Rating Area 11: County list: Autauga; Elmore; Lowndes.
    • Rating Area 12: County list: Montgomery; Greene; Hale; Tuscaloosa.
    • Rating Area 13: County list: Baldwin; Barbour; Bullock; Butler; Chambers; Cherokee; Choctaw; Clarke; Clay; Cleburne; Coffee; Conecuh; Covington; Crenshaw; Cullman; Dale; Dallas; DeKalb; Escambia; Fayette; Franklin; Jackson; Lamar; Macon; Marion; Marengo; Marshall; Monroe; Perry; Pickens; Pike; Randolph; Sumter; Talladega; Tallapoosa; Washington; Wilcox; Winston.

    Administrative Rating Area Determination

    Note

    Rating area determination (administrative)

    Alabama will apply the rating area "default" from 45 C.F.R. § 147.102(b)(2): the state is divided into 13 rating areas for the individual and small-group markets — the 12 metropolitan statistical areas plus one rating area comprising all non‑metropolitan statistical areas. Insurers must use these 13 rating areas for premium rating in policy or plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.

    • Applies the 45 C.F.R. § 147.102(b)(2) rating area default to Alabama.
    • Creates 13 rating areas: 12 metropolitan statistical areas + 1 non‑metropolitan area.
    • Effective for policy or plan years beginning January 1, 2014.

    Key Terms

    Rating area default (definition and key facts)
    Definition'Rating area default' — the geographic rating area approach referenced in 45 C.F.R. § 147.102(b)(2) as applied by Alabama.
    Number of rating areas13 rating areas (Alabama's 12 metropolitan statistical areas plus one non-metropolitan area)
    Scope / markets affectedApplies to individual and small group health insurance markets for policy or plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.
    Governing regulation45 C.F.R. § 147.102 (referenced Feb 27, 2013)
    Appendix detailAppendix A of the bulletin lists each rating area by number and county name.
    Policy Summary
    PayerAlabama Department of Insurance
    PolicyFederal premium rate reforms – rating areas
    Policy CodePolicy Policy 2013-04
    Change TypeInformational — implementation of federal rating-area default
    Effective DateJan 1, 2014
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionEstablish the 13 geographic rating areas (12 metropolitan + 1 non-metropolitan) for individual and small group markets in Alabama.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Alabama Geographic Rating AreasAdministrative Rating Area DeterminationKey Terms