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State Filing Information

The information provided below is intended to assist company staff engaged in the filing of rate, rules, and/or policy forms.

General Information

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance has mandated that effective January 1, 2009, rate, rule, and form filings must be submitted via SERFF (System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing). In addition, if you are required to pay fees to Massachusetts, those fees must be paid electronically via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). See the Massachusetts Division of Insurance Bulletin 2008-08 and Bulletin 2008-19.

Filing Types

Rates, Rules and Other Supplementary Information
The WCRIBMA prepares a filing containing rates, rules, and other supplementary information, and files it for approval with the Commissioner on behalf of all of its members and subscribers writing workers compensation insurance in Massachusetts. When the filing process is concluded, the WCRIBMA notifies participating companies. The company may revise its rates to conform to the filing or file a rate deviation application with the Commissioner. The WCRIBMA has to file at least every two years and on any additional date that the Commissioner of Insurance may designate (M.G.L. Chapter 152, §53A(2)).

Rate Deviations
Insurance companies may independently file for rate deviations. In Massachusetts, rate deviations are only allowed to adjust premiums downward (M.G.L. Chapter 152, §53A(9)). Individual insurance companies must get approval from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance prior to applying a rate deviation to the WCRIBMA’s approved rates. For information on the Division's guidelines for WC rate deviation filings, refer to the Program Overview for Deviations which includes a circular with the Division's latest info.

Policy Forms and Endorsement
The WCRIBMA prepares filings for standard policy forms and endorsements and files it for approval with the Commissioner on behalf of all of its members and subscribers writing workers compensation in Massachusetts. When the filing is approved, the WCRIBMA notifies participating companies. There are no additional filing requirements with the Division of Insurance if a member carrier of the WCRIBMA wants to use these policy forms or endorsements. When a participating company receives notice of an approved filing containing standard policy forms and endorsements, the company must either revise its policy forms and endorsements and conform to the filing by its effective date or make a company specific filing with the Division of Insurance seeking approval for an alternative policy form or endorsement.

Nonstandard forms
Nonstandard forms must be filed with the Commissioner for approval. A specimen copy of all nonstandard forms that the company will use, following approval by the Commissioner, must be sent to the WCRIBMA.

Filing Contact Information

Massachusetts Division of Insurance

Commissioner: Gary D. Anderson
Address: Division of Insurance
  1000 Washington Street, Suite 810
  Boston, MA 02118-6200
Phone: 617-521-7794
Fax: 617-753-6830
Website: www.mass.gov/doi

WCRIBMA

Contact: Daniel M. Crowley
Address: WCRIBMA
  101 Arch Street, 5th Floor
  Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-646-7594
Email: dcrowley@wcribma.org
Website: www.wcribma.org

Disclaimer

The material contained in this manual is based on WCRIBMA’s latest research, but is subject to periodic change. It is provided only as a guide for your convenience and is not intended to interpret state law. Refer to state law for current and detailed information because there may be additional laws and/or regulations that may impact your response to a WCRIBMA item filing. While all due effort is made to keep the material up to date, WCRIBMA assumes no responsibility for the use of this material.

Resources

Industry Links

State Filing Information

Rate Filing

The Workers' Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts
101 Arch Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02110