BlueChoice Inc. - MD is requesting an average year-over-year base rate increase of 10.3% to the BlueChoice small group single risk pool for third quarter 2026, and an average year-over-year increase of 10.9% for fourth quarter 2026.  This is an incremental increase of 7.7% to 7.8% over the currently approved 2.9% year-over-year increases from the annual 2026 rate filing. The proposed increase is for new business and renewals, with a requested start date of July 1, 2026.  

Approximately 143,549 members are currently enrolled in a BlueChoice product, across all plans, and would be impacted by the rate change.

The Maryland Insurance Administration will hold a virtual public hearing on this request at the date, time and location below:

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026,  1 P.M. TO 3 P.M.
ZoomGov link: https://maryland-insurance.zoomgov.com/j/1612950843​
Dial-In: (646) 828-7666 ​
Meeting ID:  161 295 0843​

Company filings regarding this request can be found at the Insurance Administration’s online portal: https://www.apps.insurance.maryland.gov/ACARateDisclosure/. Written comments on this request can be submitted prior to the public hearing through the portal. 

If you would like to present or offer public comments during the virtual hearing, please notify the Maryland Insurance Administration in advance by submitting your request to [email protected]. 

To the extent that time and technology permit, the MIA will hear from unregistered participants who access the Zoom Webinar platform. Written testimony for the public hearing may be ​​submitted through the filing portal or by email to [email protected]​ and must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. 

A hearing on rate increase requests for UnitedHealthcare products will be scheduled at a later date.

Questions about Maryland’s rate review process should be directed to Bradley Boban, Chief Actuary, at 410-468-2065, or by email at [email protected].