Insurance Commissioner Stewart Announces an Agreement with Carriers in Delaware to Extend Cancelled Policies

DOVER – As a result of President Obama’s federal waiver, Commissioner Stewart entered into a dialogue with the health insurance carriers in an effort to provide earlier renewals of existing health insurance plans. The Commissioner is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the carriers to offer early renewals for current policies whose term of coverage was to end on or before March 31, 2014. Commissioner Stewart is very concerned with individuals that may be in a position of being without any coverage as a result of the inability to renew these policies. Commissioner Stewart stated that she is, “very happy that the carriers have agreed to provide an early renewal opportunity for these policyholders.”

Consumers that are affected by this agreement and take advantage of this option must renew their policy on or before December 31, 2013. All policies with an effective date after January 1, 2014 must be in compliance with Delaware law. The carriers have indicated that individuals with questions regarding their policies should direct those questions to their agent or broker.

###

 

DOI Seal
Delaware Department of Insurance Seal

“Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while
providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/

Contact: Marla Blunt-Carter
(302) 577-5259
Marla.Blunt-Carter@delaware.gov


Department of Insurance Reaches Tentative Agreement with One Carrier and Continues Discussions with Other Carriers to Offer Renewal Opportunities for Policyholders with Terminated Coverage

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Department of Insurance Reaches Tentative Agreement with One Carrier and Continues Discussions with Other Carriers to Offer Renewal Opportunities for Policyholders with Terminated Coverage

DOVER– In order to assist individual and small group policyholders whose current coverage is being terminated between January 1, 2014, and March 31, 2014 because it is not compliant with the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Insurance has reached tentative agreement with one carrier and is in ongoing conversation with remaining carriers to provide opportunities for policyholders to renew their existing coverage.

Even those who had previously been offered this option and did not opt to utilize it will be provided an additional opportunity to renew the existing policy. While the details are still being developed, these offerings will not preclude the opportunity to enroll/purchase an ACA-compliant policy.

“I welcome today’s announcement as a significant step toward our goal of providing access to health care for all Delawareans,” said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. “Making sure individuals and families are covered remains our priority, and this first tentative agreement will bring peace of mind to many state residents as they weigh their coverage options for the coming year. I thank our sister agency, the Department of Insurance, and representatives of the carriers operating in the state for their hard work.”

-30-

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

 

 

 


Insurance Commissioner Stewart Warns Delawareans to Beware of Fraud Related to the Affordable Care Act

Dover- Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart is advising consumers to be aware of scams that attempt to steal personal information through bogus websites and phone calls claiming to be related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare. People of all ages have reported being contacted by scammers who presented themselves as government or insurance company employees. Scammers have attempted to gather personal information such as social security numbers, bank account information, credit card numbers, and Medicare IDs.

The Better Business Bureau reports that, “The government typically doesn’t call, text or email. Government agencies normally communicate through the mail, so be very cautious of any unsolicited calls, text messages or emails you receive.” Several different phone scams have been reported including those where the caller claims that you need a new Obamacare insurance or Medicare card. This is not true—you are not required to obtain new insurance or Medicare cards because of the ACA.

If you are contacted by anyone who says you are required to act during a “limited time” to purchase a new plan or update your information simply hang up and do not give out any personal information. Some scammers have high-tech software that allows them to display the name of a government agency on your caller ID. Do not reply to fraudulent emails or text messages.

Official marketplace guides are available to review plans with Delawareans in-person. They have undergone extensive background checks and have a state-issued ID badge. Anyone who offers to help you with enrollment should present this identification. Commissioner Stewart would like everyone to be on alert and stated, “If you suspect you have been the target of a fraudulent insurance scheme you may report the incident to the fraud division at the Delaware Department of Insurance at 302-674-7350 or 800-632-5154.”

If you would like to learn more about Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace and where you can find help to enroll, please visit the state of Delaware’s official Health Insurance Marketplace website at www.choosehealthde.com, or you can call 1.800.318.2596 for assistance.


Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart Announces the Qualified Health Plans and Rates for the Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace

Today, the Delaware Department of Insurance announced the companies that will participate in the Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace and the 19 qualified health plans being offered to uninsured Delawareans. There are three companies offering coverage in the individual marketplace and two companies offering coverage in the small business health options program (SHOP). Additionally, three companies will be offering dental coverage in Delaware.

Beginning October 1st, Delawareans will be able to go to the health insurance marketplace website and see the plans available to them and the pricing for each plan. They will also be able to determine their eligibility and amount of tax-credit or federal subsidy and calculate the net cost of coverage.

Insurance Commissioner Stewart expressed that “The Delaware Department of Insurance, The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the insurance companies participating in our marketplace, have worked extremely hard to create a robust market that includes many options at affordable rates.”

Coverage under the plans begins on January 1, 2014 and the open enrollment period runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. The following companies that will offer plans in the individual market in Delaware through the health insurance marketplace are:

  • Coventry Health Care
  • Coventry Health and Life
  • Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Delaware

For the SHOP, businesses will be able to select from 11 qualified health plans. Businesses with less than 25 employees may take advantage of the 50 percent premium tax credit, as long as 50 percent of the premium is paid by the small employer.

The companies participating in the SHOP marketplace are:

  • Coventry Health Care
  • Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Delaware

The companies offering dental coverage in the Delaware marketplace are:

  • Delta Dental
  • Dentegra
  • Dominion

The Delaware health insurance marketplace will offer an array of plans from which to choose: bronze, silver, gold, platinum and catastrophic. As the level of coverage increases, consumers will pay smaller deductibles but larger monthly premiums. The plans will include the essential health benefits mandated in the Affordable Care Act and benefits contained in the benchmark plan selected by The Delaware Healthcare Commission.

For the first time, Delawareans will be able to purchase coverage without concern of being denied due to pre-existing medical conditions. Also, consumers will not have to be concerned with running out of benefits based on annual and lifetime benefit limits placed on them from insurance carriers. People who purchase on the individual market will have the opportunity to make the cost of coverage more affordable by utilizing the premium tax-credit, known as the federal subsidy. This tax credit is available to those who are between 138 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level.  Also, premiums cannot exceed 9.5% of the individual’s adjusted gross income. Additionally, those between the 138% and 400 % of the federal poverty level may be eligible for cost-sharing reduction. Cost-sharing reductions are deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pays.

The Department of Insurance will be responsible for assuring that the companies are in compliance with all the certification standards adopted for the Delaware Marketplace. The presentation of the companies participating in our marketplace and the insurance rates they will offer to Delawareans is the result of months of reviewing applications of issuers that wanted to offer coverage on the marketplace. The process included every aspect of the filings such as, network adequacy, actuarial values, and compliance with the essential health benefits including mandates contained in the Delaware Insurance Code.

To learn more about the qualified health plans, the rates being offered in the Delaware health insurance marketplace and examples and scenarios of premium rates including the advanced payment tax credits, please visit: http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/health-reform/DE-QHP_Ind_and_SHOP_PlanYear2014Overview.pdf


Commissioner Stewart Announces the Appointment of the Workers’ Compensation Ratepayer Advocate for the State of Delaware

Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart announces the retention of Fred Townsend, Esquire as “ratepayer advocate” for the upcoming workers’ compensation rate filing. Pursuant to recently passed legislation Mr. Townsend shall represent the interests of Delaware workers compensation rate-payers during the Insurance Commissioner’s consideration of the rate filing.

A member of the Delaware Bar since 1990, Mr. Townsend served as Delaware’s Deputy Insurance Commissioner from 1995-1999. Since returning to the private sector in 2000, his practice areas have included insurance regulation.

Commissioner Stewart stated that she “is confident that Mr. Townsend’s background, both in the Insurance Department and in the private sector makes him well suited to represent the ratepayers’ interests during this important step of analyzing the workers compensation rate filing”.

Anyone wishing to contact Mr. Townsend should do so via e-mail. Mr. Townsend will be available at ratepayeradvocate@delaware.gov.