The Office of Rate Intervention serves as a watchdog for consumers in matters relating to health insurance, natural gas, water, sewer, electric, and landline telephone rates. Over the past two bienniums, the costs avoided from rate cases in which the office participated totaled approximately $338 million.
Under Kentucky law, the office is responsible for representing the interests of Kentucky consumers before governmental rate-making agencies, focusing on utility cases (electric, water, telecommunications, and natural gas) before the Public Service Commission –
KRS 367.150 (8) – and health insurance rate cases filed with the Department of Insurance –
KRS 304.17A-095.
The Office of Rate Intervention fights to ensure your utility bills are fair. The office has helped Kentucky consumers avoid more than $3 billion in proposed utility rate increases.
Kentucky consumers should report rising utility prices to the Office of the Attorney General by filing a utility complaint online.
Does the Office Review and Monitor Consumer Health Insurance Rates?
Since legislation passed in 1996, the Office has also reviewed and monitored consumer health insurance rates, helping to make the rate application process open and understandable to the consumers of the Commonwealth. With the 1996 legislation, health insurers were required to publicly disclose reasons justifying rate increases thereby increasing transparency for consumers. Rate Intervention also informally mediates concerns between utility, landline telephone, and propane gas customers and their providers.
Does the Office Monitor Rapidly Changing Technology's Impact on Ratepayers?
ORI fights to protect consumers from the harmful and unexpected effects of rapidly changing technology. Whether it is fighting against utility rate designs that harm seniors or ensuring that customers receive the benefits promised from new technology, the attorney general ensures his statutory mandate is carried out.