Illinois opens insurance records to public

Illinois for the first time is making public the official forms filed by insurance companies when they set the rates they'll charge consumers. Department of Insurance Director Andrew Boron announced the new online access Tuesday.

Consumer advocates say it's an important first step toward more transparency in the rate-setting process for health insurance and other types of insurance. But they caution that the website is difficult to navigate and the information is so technical that it will be difficult for consumers to use.

Health policy analyst Dena Mendelsohn of Consumers Union says Oregon has made the information easy for consumers to use and understand.

Illinois Department of Insurance spokeswoman Kimberly Parker says the department has set up a help line for consumers who need it.

The information is available at https://filingaccess.serff.com/sfa/home/il.