Posts by: Britney Han

Special Enrollment Period for Oklahomans Disenrolled From SoonerCare

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
March 30, 2023

Special Enrollment Period for Oklahomans Disenrolled From SoonerCare

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) issued a bulletin regarding a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare Supplement policies. During the SEP, qualified individuals may apply and enroll in a Medicare Supplement policy without underwriting considerations by the insurance company. This means the insurance company cannot refuse to sell a policy to beneficiaries who fall under the SEP. It also means those beneficiaries cannot be charged higher premiums because of their health status, claims experience, or medical condition.

An individual is eligible for this SEP if he or she:

  1. Is enrolled in Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare) and remained enrolled in SoonerCare due to a suspension of terminations by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
  2. Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B within six (6) months of the later date of termination or disenrollment of SoonerCare benefits (or, if a notice is not received, notice that a claim has been denied because of such a termination of disenrollment); or the date that the SoonerCare benefits terminate or cease;
  3. Applies for a Medicare supplement policy during the 63-day period following the date of enrollment in Medicare Part B;
  4. Submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment from Soonercare with the application for a Medicare supplement policy.

Termination of SoonerCare coverage or disenrollment from SoonerCare based on eligibility determinations will begin on April 30, 2023. Many Oklahomans may continue to be eligible for SoonerCare. However, for those losing SoonerCare coverage, a SEP on the health insurance marketplace has been established that will run from March 31, 2023, to July 31, 2024. A SEP also has been put into place for those who are losing SoonerCare coverage and have access to employer-based coverage. For more information, please read the Bulletin No.1 – 2023.

Additional resources for health insurance consumers are available at https://www.oid.ok.gov/public-health-emergency-phe/. If you have insurance questions, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

BULLETIN NO. 2-2023

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

BULLETIN NO. 2-2023

To: Oklahoma Licensed Producers, Oklahoma Licensed Health Insurers and HMOs and Other Interested Parties
Re: Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Supplement Policies – OAC 365: 10-5-129.2
From: Glen Mulready, Insurance Commissioner
Date: March 30, 2023

 

Beginning April 1, 2023, and throughout the remainder of 2023, the disenrollment of certain individuals that have been continuously enrolled in SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid program) and no longer meeting eligibility requirements, will take place by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA).  The re-determination process, required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, will include individuals that became eligible for Medicare coverage during the continuous enrollment period and did not enroll in Medicare coverage or were automatically enrolled in Medicare by the Social Security Administration.

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) permitting qualified individuals to apply and enroll in a Medicare Supplement policy without underwriting considerations by the issuer will be permitted under Oklahoma Administrative Code 365:10-5-129.2, as follows:

365:10-5-129.2 Special enrollment period for Medicare supplement policies

  • An issuer of Medicare supplement policies in this State shall issue any Medicare supplement policy the carrier sells in this State to an individual eligible for Medicare if the individual:
  • Is enrolled in SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) and remained enrolled in SoonerCare due to a suspension of terminations by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
  • Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B within six (6) months of the later date of termination or disenrollment of SoonerCare benefits (or, if a notice is not received, notice that a claim has been denied because of such a termination of disenrollment); or the date that the SoonerCare benefits terminate or cease;
  • Applies for Medicare supplement policy during the 63-day period following the date of enrollment in Medicare Part B;
  • Submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment from SoonerCare with the application for a Medicare supplement policy.
  • With respect to applicants of a Medicare supplement policy under section (a), the issuer shall not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a Medicare supplement policy that is offered and available for sale in this State, nor discriminate in the pricing of such a Medicare supplement policy, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition and shall not impose any exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition under such a Medicare supplement policy.

Regulated entities can direct inquiries regarding this bulletin to Kim Hunter at kim.hunter@oid.ok.gov.

Commissioner Mulready Issues Statement on CVS/Caremark 90-Day Prescription Decision

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
March 28, 2023

Commissioner Mulready Issues Statement on CVS/Caremark 90-Day Prescription Decision

OKLAHOMA CITY – Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready released the following statement regarding CVS/Caremark’s 90-day prescription decision:

“The Oklahoma Insurance Department is receiving an increasing number of complaints about CVS/Caremark’s recent decision to no longer offer 90-day prescriptions for many of their large client employers,” Mulready said.

“We understand that Oklahoma law does not mandate the filling of 90-day prescriptions, but CVS/Caremark has made a quick and impactful business decision that will not be fixed until one year from now. This is unacceptable, and I implore CVS/Caremark to address the contractual and technical issues as quickly as possible in order to better serve Oklahoma consumers. I also encourage Oklahoma employers impacted by this decision to voice their concerns to CVS/Caremark.”

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

Get Ready Before Spring Flooding

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
March 9, 2023

Get Ready Before Spring Flooding

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

Here in Oklahoma, we know all too well the damage flooding causes and the danger it presents. In May 2019, Oklahomans saw some of the worst flooding in history after 17 tornadoes struck the state in one day. The storm carried 5 to 6 inches of rainfall, causing the tragic loss of lives and significant financial damage. Flooding devastated thousands of Oklahomans, resulting in more than $31 million in estimated losses. In addition, more than 6,000 flood claims were reported, yet far too many storm victims did not have flood insurance.

March is Flood Insurance Awareness Month in Oklahoma. I want to remind Oklahomans to get ready before spring flooding and consider getting flood insurance coverage now. Here are three reasons why now is a great time to learn more about the importance and benefits of flood insurance.

  1. You live in Oklahoma. Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. 90% of natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding. While most standard homeowners policies cover tornadoes, hail, and wildfires, they do NOT cover floods. You are 27 times more likely to experience a flood than a fire during a 30-year mortgage.
  2. 30-day waiting period. It typically takes 30 days for a flood policy to go into effect, so the time to buy is well before a disaster. That is why you need to purchase or renew flood insurance well in advance. Waiting until you see the water rushing in is too late. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through private insurance.  Talk to your agent today.
  3. Cost of flooding. Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an inch of water in a home could cause more than $25,000 in damages. About 33% of all flood claims come from outside of high-risk areas. In 2021, the average flood insurance claim payment through NFIP was $44,050, while Oklahoma’s average flood insurance premium was $81 a month.

While we cannot prevent another flood from occurring, we can get our state financially prepared for the damage when it hits. This month let’s make sure Oklahomans understand their flood risk. As I always like to remind folks—If it rains where you live, it can flood where you live.

For more insurance information, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

BULLETIN NO. 1-2023

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

BULLETIN NO. 1-2023

To: Oklahoma Licensed Producers, Oklahoma Licensed Health Insurers and HMOs and Other Interested Parties
Re: End of Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Period
From: Glen Mulready, Insurance Commissioner
Date: March 8, 2023

 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (FFCRA) required state Medicaid agencies to continue coverage for enrollees through the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The Consolidated Appropriations Act decoupled the continuous enrollment period from the public health emergency effective April 1, 2023, which means the continuous enrollment period eligibility will also end. More than 300,000 Oklahomans currently enrolled in SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) are expected to be ineligible to participate in the program.

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 was signed into law and includes a provision directing state Medicaid agencies to resume normal eligibility determinations as early as February 2023 as outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Termination of coverage or disenrollment based on eligibility determinations will take place beginning April 30, 2023 and over the remainder of 2023. Disenrollment timing will be based on criteria established by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), the state agency responsible for the SoonerCare program.

Impacted SoonerCare members will be sent a series of letters from the OHCA as follows: 1) an initial letter that renewals are restarting; 2) a second letter that identifies the end of coverage and the reason for the ineligibility; 3) a third letter, 45 days before the coverage end date, reminding the participant to update information on the on-line application; and 4) a fourth letter 10 days before coverage ends.

For those losing SoonerCare benefits, a special enrollment period (SEP) on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace has been established that will run from March 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024.  OHCA will send participant information directly to www.healthcare.gov, which will communicate information and assist with an ACA plan enrollment. An SEP also has been put into place for participants who are losing SoonerCare coverage and have access to employer-based coverage. The employee must request enrollment in the employer plan within 60 days of his or her termination date from SoonerCare.

Licensed agents, brokers, issuers, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to assist individuals and families in understanding and facilitating enrollment in ACA plans or employer-based coverage.  Additionally, navigator entities across the state, organized by Legal Aid of Oklahoma (myOKplan.org) will be assisting with enrollments.

Regulated entities can direct inquiries to Mike Rhoads at mike.rhoads@oid.ok.gov and Rebecca Ross at rebecca.ross@oid.ok.gov at the OID.

OID’s Captive Insurance Director Steve Kinion Named to Captive Review’s Power 50 List

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
March 3, 2023

OID’s Captive Insurance Director Steve Kinion Named to Captive Review’s Power 50 List

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) Captive Insurance Director, Steve Kinion, has been named in the 2023 Captive Review Power 50. The Captive Review Power 50 recognizes professionals having the most influence within the global captive insurance industry. Kinion was listed as number 41. According to Captive Review, more than 7,800 individuals voted for the Power 50 this year.

Kinion was named to the Top 50 from 2014 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023. Captive Review also named Kinion as the inaugural recipient of the Captive Industry Advocate in 2016 to recognize his advocacy for captive insurance before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. He also holds the Associate in Captive Insurance (ACI) designation, the highest professional designation for captive insurance. Fewer than 700 individuals hold the ACI designation.

“Steve is a talented leader and well-respected across the captive insurance industry,” Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “This recognition demonstrates Steve’s and his team’s commitment and determination to bring Oklahoma’s captive insurance program to a higher level of excellence.”

“It’s an honor to be included again in the Power 50 list,” Kinion said. “It’s also a credit to Oklahoma’s continued success as one of the fastest-growing captive domiciles and a great recognition of Oklahoma’s modern captive insurance laws and practices.”

Earlier this week, Senate Bill 620 was passed out of the Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Commissioner with a vote of 12-0. SB 620 will allow captive insurance companies to insure Side A Directors and Officers insurance coverage for Oklahoma corporations.

If you have insurance questions, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

Commissioner Mulready Sets the Record Straight

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
February 27, 2023

Commissioner Mulready Sets the Record Straight

 

OKLAHOMA CITY -The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) has become aware of inaccurate and misleading communications affecting Oklahoma consumers. Several large employers have sent letters to their employees with erroneous information regarding changes to their CVS/Caremark prescription program.

One of the most troubling inaccuracies is the claim that the law in Oklahoma no longer allows for 90-day prescriptions. The law (HB2632, creating the Patient’s Right to Pharmacy Choice Act) in Oklahoma does allow for the filling of 90-day supply prescriptions. However, it is against the law to incentivize patients to fill prescriptions through mail order rather than their pharmacy of choice. Furthermore, some letters claimed that the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner would begin enforcing HB2632 on February 23, 2023. The Oklahoma Insurance Department has been enforcing this law since September 2020.

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready stated, “It is concerning that these misrepresentations are being spread to employees in Oklahoma. The facts are that as part of a legal settlement with CVS/Caremark, letters were supposed to be sent out to consumers explaining their options for prescriptions and instead of clarifying, the letters that were sent have only spread more misinformation to the citizens of this great state.”

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has issued $3.5 million in fines to pharmacy benefit managers and overseen $700,000 in reimbursements to local pharmacies since enforcement of this law began on September 1, 2020.

OID is committed to ensuring the people of Oklahoma have access to accurate information regarding their healthcare needs. We urge Oklahoma employers to verify the accuracy of their communications before sending them to their employees.

Please direct questions to Ashley Scott, Director of PBM Compliance and Enforcement, at Ashley.scott@oid.ok.gov.

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

Earthquake Awareness Month

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2023

Earthquake Awareness Month

 

According to the most recent report from the United States Geological Survey, almost half of all Americans are at risk for damage from an earthquake. Unlike other disasters, earthquakes occur with no warning. Unfortunately, standard homeowners and renters policies don’t cover earthquake damage. If your home is damaged in an earthquake and you don’t have earthquake insurance, you’ll have to pay for repairs yourself.

As February is Earthquake Awareness Month, I like to remind Oklahomans to get ready before an earthquake strikes and consider earthquake insurance. This month, please talk to your insurance agent to understand your risk and determine whether earthquake coverage makes sense for you. Here’s what you need to know about earthquake insurance.

What Earthquake Insurance Covers

Earthquake insurance covers the cost of rebuilding your home or replacing your belongings if they’re damaged during an earthquake. If your home is so damaged that you can’t live there, your policy might also pay for temporary living expenses while your home is being repaired.

What Earthquake Insurance Does Not Cover

It doesn’t cover damage caused by a disaster that’s caused by an earthquake. This type of loss is called indirect damage. For example, earthquake insurance will not pay to repair the damage if you live near a lake that floods your home after an earthquake. However, you’ll get some financial help if you have flood insurance.

To learn more about earthquake insurance, visit https://www.oid.ok.gov/earthquakes.

For more information, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

Oklahoma’s Captive Insurance Program Continues to Grow

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Oklahoma Insurance Department

For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2023

Oklahoma’s Captive Insurance Program Continues to Grow

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) today announced the latest captive numbers in Oklahoma. As one of the fastest-growing domiciles for captives in the country, the OID has attracted many companies to do business in Oklahoma and now has more than 50 licensed captives in the state.

The State of Oklahoma added 11 new captive insurance companies in 2022. Four were licensed as series captive insurers, four as pure captive insurers, two as special purpose and one as a sponsored captive insurer. In addition, the OID had four captive insurer dissolutions in 2022, netting seven new captives in the Sooner State. In 2021, Oklahoma ended with 45 active captive insurers and the seven new additions resulted in 52 captive insurers—a 15% percent growth rate from 2021 to 2022.

“2022’s results represent the continuous growth of Oklahoma’s captive insurance program,” said Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready. “I am not only pleased with 2022’s growth, but to date in 2023, Oklahoma has already issued three additional captive insurer licenses. This growth is attributable to Oklahoma’s business-friendly environment, modern captive insurance laws and experienced captive insurance staff.”

“Our Captive Insurance Division’s dedication and efficient regulation of captive insurance companies have helped raise awareness about captive insurance in Oklahoma. We look forward to continuing this momentum and expanding our efforts in 2023,” OID’s Captive Insurance Director Steve Kinion said.

If you have insurance questions, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221