Temporary codification of expanded telemedicine options helps all Delawareans

Today Governor John Carney signed, via livestream, HS 1 for HB 348, sponsored by Representative David Bentz, which temporarily codifies a number of consumer-friendly provisions developed during COVID-19 that can increase access to health care due to expanding telemedicine.

Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro issued the following statement:

“In response to the unprecedented times we are facing, Delaware residents have been fortunate to have numerous consumer- and provider-friendly provisions enacted over the last several months with the leadership and the support of the Governor, General Assembly, DHSS, medical provider groups, insurers, and our office. Together, we have increased remote access to healthcare, ensuring that those concerned about visiting facilities in-person do not need to do so during coronavirus.

Delaware has long been a leader in telemedicine – as of December 2019, we were one of only ten states that required private insurers to reimburse virtual visits at the same rate, and with the same freedom from restrictions as in-person visits. Now, states across the country are following our lead in creating consumer- and provider-friendly laws like ours.

While I don’t manage the professional regulation components regarding what types of tele-communication are allowable, I am so happy to see that HS 1 for HB 348 will allow for phone-based visits to further assist rural residents and those that fall into the technological divide in accessing care.

Telemedicine isn’t a solution specific to the pandemic – it helps people in areas without local providers, those with limited access to transportation, individuals with disabilities – even parents who would have to find childcare to go to an in-person appointment. Telemedicine helps everyone, and it is here to stay. I look forward to working with the General Assembly next year to review our Code and develop permanent solutions.”

The Delaware Department of Insurance will be issuing a bulletin to the industry to inform them of the continued telemedicine requirements.

Over $1 million claimed by Delaware residents in 2019, More than $400,000 in early 2020

The Delaware Department of Insurance has released new data about local use of the Life Insurance Policy Locator, a free tool offered in conjunction with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In total, 1,116 requests have been submitted, and 387 matches have been reported since the tool’s implementation – a match rate of nearly 35%. Throughout Delaware’s use of the tool, a total of $3,504,850 has been claimed by beneficiaries through located policies, and $1,071,516 during 2019 alone. In the first five months of 2020, residents were able to access $402,574 as a result of successful searches.

“The Life Insurance Policy Locator is a great tool for Delawareans to be aware of. When a loved one passes, there isn’t always a will or a detailed plan for the family’s future financially. Using the Policy Locator, it is easy to find out if a life insurance policy or annuity contract existed, and simple to claim the policy if there was one in place,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “This is just one of the many ways our department is offering a consumer-friendly insurance experience.”

Simplifying what can often be a long and frustrating process, only a nominal amount of information is needed to begin a search in the Life Insurance Policy Locator. After a request is submitted by a beneficiary, executor, or legal representative, dedicated NAIC liaisons take on the task of asking participating companies to search their records to identify any policies or annuity contracts in the name of the deceased. Then, if a participating company does have policy information on file, they will respond to the requester if they are authorized to receive information or are the designated beneficiary. Data is typically made available within 90 business days.

Delaware implemented the Life Insurance Policy Locator in November of 2016. Requestor preference and beneficiary specification may result in more matches than claimed policies.

Visit insurance.delaware.gov/services/missingpolicy to access the tool.

The Delaware Department of Insurance today released a list of consumer-friendly automobile insurer actions that are being implemented due to reduced vehicle use throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As filed with the department, these actions represent millions of dollars being returned to or saved by policyholders throughout the state.

The following list may not be inclusive and may be updated online. The commitments below apply to only personal automobile insurance policies. Customer eligibility requirements may exist. Residents should direct questions about specific commitments to the insurer.

• AIPSO: Providing rate relief through a 15% credit on April and May premiums or a 15% refund for customers already paid in full.
• Allstate: Issuing refunds equal to 15% of March and April auto premiums. A total of 19,155 Delaware Allstate customers will be refunded well over $1 million.
• American Family: Distributing a one-time check payment of $50.00 per covered vehicle.
• American National: Providing premium relief equal to a 15% credit of April and May premium.
• Amica Mutual: Crediting 20% of the policyholder’s monthly auto premium.
• Bakers Standard: Applying a one-time 6% credit to the premium of auto policies renewing between October 1, 2020 and October 1, 2021.
• Chubb: Renewing customers will receive a discount equal to 35% of their April and May costs, an estimated $110 per vehicle. A one-time 6% credit will be applied to the premium for auto policies renewing between August 11, 2020 and August 11, 2021.
• Cincinnati Insurance: Refunding policyholders 15% of their April and May premium.
• Electric Insurance: Distributing a payback equal to 15% of three months of the policyholder’s premium, an estimated $72 per policy.
• Encompass: Issuing refunds of 15% of March and April auto premiums. Approximately 2,835 Delaware Encompass customers will be refunded about $168,882.
• Esurance: Issuing refunds equal to 15% of March and April auto premiums.
• Farm Family: Providing premium relief equal to a 15% credit of April and May premium.
• Farmers: Discounting April premiums by 25% discount or providing 25% refunds to customers already paid in full.
• GEICO: The GEICO Giveback Credit will discount renewed or newly purchased policies between April 8 and October 7, 2020 by 15%. Customers can expect to save an average of $150 on their next auto policy and $30 per motorcycle policy.
• Goodville Mutual: Issuing a Safe@home premium credit of 15% on two months of new or renewal premium. Members can choose to waive their credit and request that it be donated to local food banks, first responders, or international relief. Goodville Mutual will match donated funds up to $100,000.
• Hartford: The COVID-19 Personal Auto Payback Plan will credit customers 15% of April and May auto premiums.
• Horace Mann: The Teacher Appreciation Relief Program will credit customers 15% of two months of premiums.
• Integon Indemnity: Issuing a 15% credit on April premiums.
• Liberty Mutual: Providing a 15% refund on two months of annual premiums.
• Mercury: Refunding 15% of monthly premiums paid in April and May.
• MetLife: Crediting 15% of monthly premiums paid in April and May.
• Nationwide: Applying a one-time payment of $50.00 to each policy.
• Next Insurance: Discounting April premiums by 25%.
• NGM Insurance: Distributing a Relief Payment of $50.00 per each insured vehicle. In Delaware, approximately 899 private passenger vehicles insured will generate a total refund of $44,950.
• Progressive: Crediting back 20% of April and May premiums.
• State Farm Fire and Casualty Company: Distributing a credit equal to 27.5% of a policyholder’s premium from March 20 to May 31, 2020.
• State Farm Mutual: The Good Neighbor Relief Program will distribute a dividend of approximately 27.5% of premium from March 20 to May 31, 2020.
• Travelers: The Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program will issue a credit of 15% to April and May premiums.
• USAA: Crediting approximately 20% on three months of premiums.
• 21st Century Insurance: Discounting April premiums by 25% discount, or providing 25% refunds to customers paid in full.

Individuals who are experiencing financial hardship due to income changes related to COVID-19 and are unable to pay their premium should contact their insurance company to discuss assistance. Delaware’s insurance carriers are required to freeze cancellations and nonrenewal of policies that might have otherwise occurred due to non-payment of premiums through the duration of the Delaware state of emergency for individuals who have been laid off or fired due to the state of emergency.

Residents may be using personal vehicles to augment income through commercial use, such as delivering food or other goods. At the request of Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, many auto insurers are temporarily allowing this activity. Residents are encouraged to review their insurance company’s COVID-19 policies prior to beginning to provide delivery services.

Have questions about insurance and COVID-19? Visit the Delaware Department of Insurance FAQ page.

If you are an insurer who would like to provide or modify information included in this list, or on our FAQ page, please email Christina.Haas@Delaware.Gov.

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Delaware’s Department of Insurance is pleased to announce that it is actively recruiting for a qualified independent contractor to staff and run its new Office of Value-Based Health Care Delivery. The Office will assist the Insurance Commissioner and Delaware’s Primary Care Reform Collaborative in evaluating primary care accessibility and affordability statewide.

“Reducing health care costs in Delaware is a key priority of my administration,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “The team leading our Office of Value-Based Health Care Delivery needs to possess a high level of expertise in health care transformation and innovation. Together with the Primary Care Reform Collaborative, we intend to identify quantitative tools that will help increase the availability of high quality, cost-efficient health insurance products that have stable, predictable, and affordable rates.”

Earlier this year, members of the General Assembly passed Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill No. 116, in order to create the Office. The Office was a recommendation of the Primary Care Reform Collaborative, which is tasked with evaluating the high costs of care in Delaware. In the months since passage, the Collaborative has been working hard to develop recommendations to strengthen Delaware’s primary care system.

“The legislature’s consideration of pro-consumer bills has allowed us to continue to foster an environment where residents are prioritized over profits,” said Leslie W. Ledogar, Esq, the Commissioner’s representative within the working group. “The Office of Value-Based Health Care Delivery epitomizes that vision, and we are grateful for everyone who spent time working on this effort.”

The Request for Proposal may be downloaded from the Office of Management and Budget website. Applicant questions should be directed to the Department’s Regulatory Specialist Leslie W. Ledogar, Esq.

Dover, DE – Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro officially announced the final approval of the 2019 Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) rates. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (“Highmark BCBSD”), the only insurer currently on the Marketplace, originally proposed a rate decrease of 5.8% for its 2019 individual Marketplace business. Commissioner Navarro, ultimately approved a decrease of 19%, after the implementation of a state-run reinsurance program, the first decrease ever since the Marketplace opened in 2013.

The approved decrease was a result of federal approval for the State of Delaware to implement a state-run reinsurance program as established pursuant to the 1332 State Innovation Waiver Application (“Waiver”). Under this program, individual market policies that meet certain minimum criteria, as set forth in the Waiver, will be eligible for reimbursement from a state-administered fund. The fund will be financed through a 1% assessment on the individual, small and large group market premium amounts for all health insurance carriers operating in those markets in Delaware. The assessment will take place annually and may vary depending on the federal government’s actions on the Health Insurance Industry Fee.

“I am happy to announce the first rate decrease in Delaware since the beginning of the Health Insurance Marketplace. In spite of the many efforts in Washington to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, we have been able to work with our state counterparts and stakeholders to give Delaware policyholders much-needed premium relief. I thank Secretary Walker for the work she and her team at DHSS put into seeing the Waiver across the finish line.”

Because this year’s filing may result in lower costs for many consumers, the Department urges consumers to examine their rates and reapply for coverage through the Marketplace.

Presently, approximately 23,000 Delawareans have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and may be affected by these rates.

Please be advised that the proposed rate decrease will not apply to Delawareans on Medicare, Medicaid, or those with group or individual policies outside of the Marketplace.

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Contact: Vince Ryan

Office: (302) 674-7303

Email: vince.ryan@delaware.gov

Delaware Department of Insurance

http://www.insurance.delaware.gov

Dover Office: 302-674-7300

Consumer Services Division: 1-800-282-8611