High Court Affirms Commissioner's Discretion Over Rates, but Deviation Requires Explanation

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Monday held that the insurance commissioner can reject rates proposed by the state's designated ratemaking agency but must explain any deviation he approves. The commissioner nearly doubled the size of a recommended rate cut in 2024 and, in 2025, rejected a proposed increase and held rates unchanged. Although the commissioner properly exercised his authority to disapprove the proposed rates, he failed to explain the basis for his decision to order a larger decrease than recommended, the high court said in Workers' Compensation Rating a...