Posts by: Lauryn Boswell

2023 Special Notice Anti-Fraud Assessment Annual Fee

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ANTI-FRAUD ASSESSMENT ANNUAL FEE


SPECIAL NOTICE

The Anti-Fraud Assessment Annual Fee is due by July 1, 2023. The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) requires the fee to be paid electronically per Title 36 O.S. § 362 and Order No 16-0636-PRJ.

OPTins will be the website used to process electronic payments.

Paper Filings and Checks will no longer be accepted.

OPTins Electronic filing instructions:

  • Register and/or login with OPTins at www.optins.org
    NOTE: Do not wait to register with OPTins, as the process can take up to two (2) weeks to complete.
  • Once registered, select the “Filings” tab, then “Create Filing,” enter the filing year, Select “Oklahoma Regulated Entities” as the recipient state for Anti-Fraud Assessment Annual Filing.
  • Once you have selected the appropriate filing type, download the available form(s), complete, and upload it along with all other required supporting documentation.
    NOTE: Some of the Excel spreadsheets have multiple tabs. Please make sure all the tabs in the workbook are complete before uploading it back into OPTins.
  • Proceed to the payment screen and input the amount associated with the filing type in the payment field and submit your payment. NOTE: There is an electronic processing fee added by OPTins.

For questions specific to using this website, please contact OPTins Help Desk at (816)783-8990 or optinshelp@naic.org. All other questions will continue to be directed to the Oklahoma Insurance Department, Financial Division, Cindy Barnum, 405-521-3966.

Special Notice to Oklahoma Insurance Professionals

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Special Notice to Oklahoma Insurance Professionals


Special Notice to Oklahoma Insurance Professionals, September 8, 2022

To:          Oklahoma Licensed Insurance Consultants and Customer Service Representatives

From:     Glen Mulready, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner

Re:          Insurance Consultant and CSR License Conversion


Effective November 1, 2022, Oklahoma licensed Customer Service Representatives (CSR) and Insurance Consultants are required to be licensed as Insurance Producers. SB 1252 (effective November 1, 2022) amends the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act, 36 O.S. §§ 1435.1, et seq., to remove CSR and Insurance Consultants as individual license types. Instead, individuals operating as CSRs or Insurance Consultants shall do so under an Insurance Producer license and shall be subject to the statutes and rules governing Insurance Producers.  National Producer Numbers (NPN) and Oklahoma license numbers will not change. State Based Systems (SBS) will automatically convert anyone licensed as a CSR or Insurance Consultant to an Insurance Producer on November 1, 2022.

As a courtesy, CSRs and Insurance Consultants whose licenses expire in September 2022 and October 2022 will have the ability to renew their license prior to November 1, 2022, under the current continuing education requirements. Such applicants must submit a complete application prior to November 1, 2022, including full payment of fee and completion of Continuing Education courses.  Any license renewal application received after November 1, 2022, will be required to complete the Insurance Producer biennial requirement of twenty-four (24) hours including three (3) hours of ethics and two (2) hours of legislative update.

The Insurance Producer biennial license fee for any license renewal application received on or after November 1, 2022, shall be $60.00.

Questions concerning this Notice should be directed to Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Licensing Division at 405-521-3916 or by email at licensing@oid.ok.gov.

2022 Special Notice Anti-Fraud Assessment Annual fee

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ANTI-FRAUD ASSESSMENT ANNUAL FEE


SPECIAL NOTICE

The Anti-Fraud Assessment Annual Fee is due by July 1, 2022. The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) requires the fee to be paid electronically per Title 36 O.S. § 362 and Order No 16-0636-PRJ.

OPTins will be the website used to process electronic payments.

Paper Filings and Checks will no longer be accepted.

OPTins Electronic filing instructions:

  • Register and/or login with OPTins at www.optins.org
    NOTE: Do not wait to register with OPTins, as the process can take up to two (2) weeks to complete.
  • Once registered, select the “Filings” tab, then “Create Filing,” enter the filing year, Select “Oklahoma Regulated Entities” as the recipient state for Anti-Fraud Assessment Annual Filing.
  • Once you have selected the appropriate filing type, download the available form(s), complete, and upload it along with all other required supporting documentation.
    NOTE: Some of the Excel spreadsheets have multiple tabs. Please make sure all the tabs in the workbook are complete before uploading it back into OPTins.
  • Proceed to the payment screen and input the amount associated with the filing type in the payment field and submit your payment. NOTE: There is an electronic processing fee added by OPTins.

For questions specific to using this website, please contact OPTins Help Desk at (816)783-8990 or optinshelp@naic.org. All other questions will continue to be directed to the Oklahoma Insurance Department, Financial Division, Cindy Barnum, 405-521-3966.

Special Notice to Property and Casualty Insurers Regarding Reduction in Coverage During Renewal

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Special Notice


Date:     February 28, 2022

To:         ALL PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURERS LICENSED IN OKLAHOMA

From:    Glen Mulready, Commissioner

Re:         REDUCTION IN COVERAGE DURING RENEWAL


The Oklahoma Insurance Department is issuing a special notice to all Property and Casualty Insurers authorized to do business in this state.

Upon renewal of an existing policy, each Oklahoma policyholder must receive notice stating any policy provision that has changed which eliminates or restricts coverage due to a “triggering event.” The policy language changed must be included in the notice, printed in all capital letters, using bold or red font.

The goal is to make policy changes that reduce or end coverage clearly visible to Oklahoma policyholders during the renewal process.

For purposes of this special notice, a “triggering event” is any occurrence that eliminates or reduces coverage offered during the prior policy term. Examples of “triggering events” include, but are not limited to injury, unemployment, age, retirement or accident.

Questions applicable to this bulletin should be directed to: Bo DeBose, Legal Division, at Bo.debose@oid.ok.gov

The Oklahoma Insurance Department encourages readers of this bulletin to periodically check the Department’s website at https://www.oid.ok.gov for news and updates to bulletins and other relevant material.

Commissioner Mulready Elected Chairman of the NAIC Midwest Zone

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For Immediate Release:
December 16, 2021

Commissioner Mulready Elected Chairman of the NAIC Midwest Zone

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) elected 2022 Zone Officers during the Fall National Meeting held in San Diego this week. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready was elected Chairman of the Midwest Zone, which represents 13 states and is part of the NAIC Executive Committee.

“I’m honored to be selected by my colleagues to serve as Chair of the Midwest Zone,” said Mulready. “This position allows me to collaborate with neighboring states and others in our region. It is an opportunity to provide input and direction regarding the functions of the NAIC and the important issues facing our industry. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners in this capacity.”

Commissioner Mulready’s other leadership roles with the NAIC since 2019:

  • Vice-Chair, Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee
  • Vice-Chair, Midwest Zone
  • Member, Executive Committee
  • Member, Government Relations Leadership Council
  • Designated NAIC Liaison to the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL)

The NAIC provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight.

If you have questions about other insurance issues, 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
Communications Director, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

Stop Porch Pirates This Holiday Season

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For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2021

Stop Porch Pirates This Holiday Season

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

You know it’s that time of the year when packages of all shapes and sizes begin to litter your porch. This year, C + R Research reported that over 230 million US digital buyers would be shopping online, making it a busy time for package theft. With 43 percent of Americans citing themselves as victims of porch piracy, it’s safe to say that being aware is half the battle. The other half is doing something to prevent it.

With 8 in 10 Americans shopping online in 2021, Oklahoma does have some protections with a three-strike system for criminals stealing packages from homes and businesses.  In 2020, the Porch Piracy Act was signed into law, enforcing stricter penalties against porch pirates with punishments of up to two years in prison or up to a $5,000 fine. Despite the law, it still largely falls on homeowners to protect their packages from thieves. Taking the proper precautions can prevent theft from occurring. Here are four tips to keep your holiday deliveries safe:

  1. Consider Shipping Insurance  Shipping insurance is sold by postal services, courier companies and shipping insurance companies. Not all insurers will cover all goods. However, if you’re ordering high-value items online, you may purchase shipping insurance to ensure delivery.
  2. Give Specific Instructions  Instead of having deliveries left unsecured at your front door, you can instruct drivers to leave a package at a back door, with a building superintendent, in a coded lockbox or with neighbors. You can also have deliveries placed on hold and request a specific delivery time. Most, but not all, of these services are free.
  3. Install Security Camera or Doorbell Camera  Security cameras or video doorbells can also come in handy. The mere presence of these cameras or smart doorbells may be enough to ward off the potential package thieves. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll at least have evidence for a police report. Bonus: installing these cameras may qualify you for a homeowners insurance discount. 
  4. Sign Up for Tracking Notifications Most carriers offer package tracking services and text or email alerts to know when a delivery will be made so that you can adjust your schedule accordingly. Sign up for text or email notifications to check your delivery status.

Finally, if your package is stolen, here’s what you can do.

  • Contact the Seller — File a claim with the seller and ask for a replacement.
  • Contact the Shipping Company — File a claim with the postal service that shipped your package. FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL and Amazon have a claim-filing system to help you track down your package.
  • Check Your Credit Card — Many credit cards have purchase protection covering lost or stolen items. Make sure you use a credit card to purchase the item.
  • File an Insurance Claim — Your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance may cover mail theft. Remember that filing a claim only makes sense for high-value packages worth more than your policy’s deductible.

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

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

BULLETIN NO. LH 2021-04 (SECOND REVISION)

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LH BULLETIN NO. 2021-04 (SECOND REVISION)


To: All Health Insurance Companies, Health Maintenance Organizations,  PBMs, and other Interested Parties
Re: Insulin Medication Cost-Sharing Caps 
From: Glen Mulready, Commissioner
Date: November 29, 2021

Revised language is underlined.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (Department) is releasing this bulletin with the purpose of providing guidance on the interpretation of HB 1019, amending 36 O.S. § 6060.2 (effective November 1, 2021), as it relates to statutory limits on a policyholder’s out-of-pocket cost for prescription insulin medications.

Section 1(A)(7) of HB 1019 (36 O.S. § 6060.2(A)(7) effective November 1, 2021) states in part:

Any carrier that provides coverage for insulin pursuant to this section shall cap the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for insulin at an amount not to exceed Thirty Dollars ($30.00) per thirty-day supply or Ninety Dollars ($90.00) per ninety-day supply of insulin for each covered insulin prescription, regardless of the amount or type of insulin needed to fill the prescription or prescriptions of the covered person.

It is the position of the Department, based on the statutory text specific to insulin medication cost coverage, that the out-of-pocket monthly cap shall apply regardless of whether the policyholder has met the annual deductible or coinsurance requirements within a given policy. Effective November 1, 2021, the Department understands the dollar caps associated with thirty-day and ninety-day supplies for insulin medication to be applicable to existing health benefit plans as well as upon issue or renewal of a benefit plan.

As stated above, the dollar caps apply to each thirty-day or ninety-day supply of insulin prescription regardless of amount or type. Accordingly, if a policyholder’s thirty-day supply of insulin consists of three different insulin prescriptions, then the covered policyholder shall be required to pay a maximum of $30.00 out-of-pocket for each of the three insulin prescriptions.

The provisions of 36 O.S. § 6060.2(A)(7) are pre-empted by federal laws governing Medicare, located at 42 U.S.C. §§ 1395 et seq., and are not applicable to Medicare Part D plans. However, the provisions of 36 O.S. § 6060.2(A)(7) are not pre-empted by the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) pursuant to the holding of Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Assoc., which finds in part that “ERISA does not pre-empt state rate regulations that merely increase costs or alter incentives for ERISA plans without forcing plans to adopt any particular scheme of substantive coverage.” 141 S.Ct. 474, 480, 208 L.Ed.2d 327 (2020). It is therefore the position of the Department that the insulin cost-sharing caps created by 36 O.S. § 6060.2(A)(7) are applicable to any health plan . . . to the extent permitted by [ERISA],” including, but not limited to, self-funded ERISA plans.

Questions concerning this bulletin should be directed to Mike Rhoads, Deputy Commissioner, at Mike.Rhoads@oid.ok.gov, Kim Bailey, General Counsel, at Kim.Bailey@oid.ok.gov, and/or the Oklahoma Insurance Department located at 400 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-1816.

BULLETIN NO. LH 2021-05

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BULLETIN NO. LH 2021-05


To: All Health Insurance Companies, Health Maintenance Organizations, PBMs and Other Interested Parties
Re: Special Notice Regarding 36 O.S. 1250.5 (18)
From: Glen Mulready, Commissioner
Date: October 29, 2021

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (“Department”) is releasing this Bulletin with the purpose of providing information to health insurance issuers regarding HB 2678, a bill enacted during the 2021 Regular Session of the Oklahoma Legislature, amending 36 O.S. § 1250.5 with the effective date of November 1, 2021.

Section 1(18) of HB 2678 (to be codified as 36 O.S. § 1250.5(18)) considers the following to be an unfair claim settlement practice:

As a health insurer that provides pharmacy benefits or a pharmacy benefits manager that administers pharmacy benefits for a health plan, failing to include any amount paid by an enrollee or on behalf of an enrollee by another person when calculating the enrollee’s total contribution to an out-of-pocket maximum, deductible, copayment, coinsurance or other cost sharing arrangement.

Health plan issuers must take notice that when an enrollee’s health plan is a high deductible health plan (“HDHP”) connected to a health savings account (“HSA”), counting third-party payments, such as discounts, vouchers, financial assistance, or other out-of-pocket reduction payments, toward enrollee out-of-pocket expenses will make that enrollee’s contribution ineligible toward their HSA pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 223.

Beginning November 1, 2021, all existing health plans under an HDHP and associated HSA arrangement or upon issue or renewal of such a health plan must be administrated in compliance with HB 2678 (to be codified as 36 O.S. § 1250.5(18)). The Department is actively engaging with the Legislature to seek clarification regarding the conflict between the state statute and federal requirements governing HSA eligibility. In the interim, the administration of pharmacy claims must be in compliance with state law, which will require the issuer to combine all payments made toward a prescription when calculating the enrollee’s total contribution. The issuer must also comply with federal law, which prohibits any contribution from an HSA from being combined with any third-party payment with exceptions for contributions made toward preventative care and cost-sharing occurring after the deductible is reached.

If payments made from an HSA are deemed ineligible, the tax benefits provided by the HSA could be lost for that payment and potentially create a serious tax event for the enrollee. The Department strongly encourages health plan issuers to promptly contact members enrolled in an HDHP with an associated HSA and clearly communicate the effects of applying funds from third parties and their HSA when making payments for prescriptions.

Questions concerning this bulletin should be directed to Kim Bailey, General Counsel, at kim.bailey@oid.ok.gov or Molly Clinkscales, Assistant General Counsel at molly.clinkscales@oid.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Captive/IBT Conference – August 24-25, 2022

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For Immediate Release:
October 25, 2021

Oklahoma Captive/IBT Conference
August 24-25, 2022

OMNI Oklahoma City Hotel
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

OKLAHOMA CITY –

The 2022 Oklahoma Captive/IBT Conference will address new and emerging risks facing companies and organizations worldwide.  This conference will demonstrate how captives can offer solutions that may not be available in the traditional insurance marketplace.  Also learn how to resolve run-off and discontinued books of insurance business through an Insurance Business Transfer (IBT).

This two day conference will provide in-depth educational content to risk managers, insurance owners benefit managers and financial executives whose organizations have risks insured by a captive or who are exploring the formation of one.

Registration will open May 1st!

Continuing Professional Education Credits will be offered.

 

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

What’s in Your Go-Bag?

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For Immediate Release:
October 20, 2021

What’s in Your Go-Bag?

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

Most people don’t prepare for disasters until it’s too late. In the last decade, Oklahomans have gone through some of the worst natural disasters in history—tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and winter storms. Whenever a disaster strikes, Oklahomans pull together. We roll up our sleeves and get to work on cleaning up the endless piles of debris. While we cannot prevent another natural disaster from occurring, we can use these past experiences to Get Ready.

Developing a plan in the event of a disaster is one of the most important steps you can take to mitigate your risk. Having a bag packed and ready to go in case of a natural disaster will help you and your family evacuate on short notice. Here are some of the essential items you should include in your Go-Bag:

  • Cash: If the power goes out, credit cards won’t work. Keep cash on hand for replenishing supplies.
  • Medications: Pharmacies might be closed, and hospitals could be overwhelmed. You must pack any necessary medications and assume you may not have access to refills for several days.
  • A battery-powered radio: If electricity is out and cell towers are down, this is the best way to know what’s happening.
  • Important documents: Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and prescriptions could be lost or destroyed in a flood, wildfire, or any natural disaster. Keep copies of these documents in a waterproof container or digital image saved online.
  • Insurance Information: Keep a record of your insurance company, agent, policy numbers and phone numbers on your cell phone or download your insurance company’s app.

As Oklahoma’s weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, everyone should be prepared for quick evacuation in case of emergency. Keep your go-bag in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to make a sudden evacuation. Make sure all family members know where the bag is kept. You can find more tips and resources to Get Ready at www.oid.ok.gov/getready/

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
Communications Director, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221