A report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicated 6.8 million consumers saved an estimated $1.2 billion on health insurance premiums in 2012 due to the “rate review” provision of the Affordable Care Act, which brought more accountability to slow the growth of health insurance premiums. The Affordable Care Act, along with state efforts, continues to bring scrutiny to proposed health insurance rate increases and is saving consumers real money as a result, the report said.

“Thanks to the healthcare law, we are seeing that holding insurance companies accountable is leading to increased competition and saving billions of dollars for consumers across the country,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “This type of competition and transparency will continue in the Health Insurance Marketplace, or Exchanges, where Americans will be able to shop for and compare plans side-by-side to find the one that fits their needs and budget.”

Beginning on Sept. 1, 2011, the federal rate review rules under the healthcare law were implemented. These rules ensure that, in every state, insurance companies are required to submit for review and justify any proposed health insurance premium increase of 10% or more.

To assist states in this effort, the Affordable Care Act provides states with Health Insurance Rate Review Grants to enhance their rate review programs and bring greater transparency to the process. Forty-six states, the District of Columbia and five territories have been awarded rate review grant funds to make the rate review process stronger and more transparent.

These provisions were designed to put an end to the days when insurance companies could raise health insurance premiums by double-digit percentages with little oversight. Because of rate review, the new report showed that consumers have saved approximately $1.2 billion over the past year in the individual and small group markets.

This initiative is one of many in the healthcare law aimed at saving money for consumers and specifically works in conjunction with the 80/20 rule, which requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of premiums on healthcare or provide rebates to their customers, instead of overhead, administrative expenses.

Thanks to the 80/20 rule, last year 77.8 million consumers saved an estimated $3.4 billion up front on their premiums as insurance companies operated more efficiently. Insurance companies that did not meet the 80/20 rule provided nearly 8.5 million Americans with $500 million in rebates. Americans receiving the rebate benefitted from an average rebate of $100 per household.