Provides insurance coverage for perimenopausal and menopausal care and treatment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Requires prior approval of group long-term care insurance rate filings by the Banking and Insurance Commissioner, matching rules for individuals and boosting consumer protection.

PRINT NUMBER 5444C

Summary — A5444 (Print No. 5444B)

Bill number: A5444 (Print No. 5444B)
Primary sponsor: Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal
Introduced: March 17, 2025
Status / Key dates: Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (3/17/2025); multiple amendments and re‑commits; print numbers A5444A (9/24/2025) and A5444B (10/29/2025). Companion: S4284.
Note on discrepant materials: The bill title supplied (“Provides insurance coverage for perimenopausal and menopausal care and treatment”) does not match the legislative text included with the submission. The operative text attached and summarized below is an amendment to long‑term care insurance regulation (P.L.2003, c.207). Readers should confirm the final legislative text on the Legislature’s website for the authoritative language.

Purpose / Intent

The attached legislative text intends to expand regulatory oversight of long‑term care insurance (LTCI) rate filings by requiring prior approval of group LTCI rate filings by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. Under current law, only individual LTCI rate filings require prior approval; this bill would extend the same requirement to group policies.

Key provisions

Amends section 11 of P.L.2003, c.207 (codified at C.17B:27E‑11).

Requires insurers that provide long‑term care insurance (individual or group) in New Jersey to file rates, rating schedules, and supporting documentation with the Commissioner for approval.

Filings must demonstrate compliance with applicable State loss‑ratio standards and show that benefits are reasonable in relation to premiums charged.

Reinforces the standard that rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.

Effective date: the act “shall take effect immediately” upon enactment.

Who would be affected

Insurers issuing group long‑term care insurance in New Jersey — would be subject to prior rate filing approval (additional regulatory step).

Group policyholders and beneficiaries — potential consumer protection benefit through commissioner review intended to prevent excessive or inadequate rates.

Commissioner of Banking and Insurance — increased review responsibilities and authority over group LTCI rate approvals.

Employers, unions, and other entities that sponsor group LTCI plans — may experience changes in premium review timelines or premium levels depending on approved rates.

Potential impacts

Increased regulatory oversight aimed at consumer protection (uniform prior approval standard for individual and group LTCI).

Administrative and compliance costs for insurers (additional filings, supporting documentation).

Possible delays in insurers’ ability to implement rate adjustments for group LTCI pending commissioner approval.

Potential to limit excessive rate increases if filings are disapproved or modified to meet loss‑ratio and fairness standards.

Procedural / next steps

The bill was referred and amended multiple times in 2025 and is listed as Print No. 5444B (10/29/2025). Check the Legislature’s bill tracking page or the Office of Legislative Services for the most current text, amendment history, fiscal notes, and committee reports before relying on this summary.