February 2023
Investing in Ohioans and Ohio
by Judith L. French, Director
Governor DeWine recently shared his forward-thinking vision of the executive budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and budgetary deliberation is underway at the Statehouse.
As the governor has expressed, it is a budget that “begins with our children, but it also invests in mental health care, clean water, economic development, workforce development, and higher education." And that “through the executive budget plan, Ohio will lead the world into the future.”
The governor’s budget invests in Ohioans, our communities, and our thriving economy. Ohio has historic levels of economic development, a resurgent economy, low unemployment, and the state's first AAA bond rating in more than 40 years. Ohio is in a solid financial position and has the resources today to make investments that will provide positive returns for generations.
That solid financial position includes the state's insurance industry, one of the largest in the world that employs more than 100,000 Ohioans. I look forward to sharing more about the industry and highlighting the Ohio Department of Insurance's efforts, priorities, and budgetary needs regulating it during my upcoming budget testimony.
Following the governor's lead, we have examined ways to reduce the cost of doing insurance business in Ohio. We will prioritize assisting Ohioans with mental health and substance use disorders through our new Ohio Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office, and we will maintain a catalyst role with our Emerging Products and Innovation Initiative to support innovative insurance approaches in the state.
Now, and when a new budgetary foundation is set, we will continue to ensure efficiencies in our core functions, remain steadfast in protecting consumers, and help cultivate a competitive insurance marketplace to the benefit of Ohioans.
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"New Medicare Card" Telephone Scammers Posing as Government Employees
Ohioans on Medicare should be alert for telephone scammers posing as representatives of the government to steal their personal information.
Called the "New Medicare Card" scam, the scammers are posing as employees of the Social Security Administration, Medicare, and Ohio Department of Insurance. They call their intended victims and say the person needs a new Medicare card or they need to turn in their paper card for a plastic card. The scammers then request the person's personal information. Government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, Medicare, and the Ohio Department of Insurance do not cold call Ohioans on Medicare.
Ohioans who suspect or have been victimized by a Medicare scam should contact the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-488-6070 or proseniors.org.
Ohio Department of Insurance Saved Consumers More Than $57 Million in 2022
The Ohio Department of Insurance saved the state’s insurance consumers more than $57 million last year.
The savings are a result of the department resolving coverage disputes, outlining suitable coverage options, and identifying financial assistance programs for Ohioans.
The department's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) saved Ohioans on Medicare more than $46 million, counseled 162,000 people, and welcomed 450,000 people to educational activities. The department's Consumer Services Division, which addresses automobile, homeowners, life, health, mental health, and other insurance-type issues, saved consumers more than $11 million and handled nearly 16,900 inquiries and 7,270 complaints.
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Ohioans on Medicaid Encouraged to Take Steps to Ensure Continued Health Coverage
Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran is encouraging Ohio’s Medicaid members to take necessary steps to ensure continued health coverage for themselves and their families and allow for a smooth transition as federally mandated changes in eligibility are set to begin on April 1.
“Now that the federal government has announced this change, all Ohio Medicaid members will have their eligibility re-determined and if found ineligible, disenrolled from the program for the first time in three years,” said Director Corcoran. “Our goals are to ensure that Medicaid-eligible Ohioans will have the tools they need to maintain their healthcare coverage and not risk a gap in service and that Ohioans no longer eligible for Medicaid can smoothly transition to other affordable healthcare options.”
To assist members, providers and stakeholders prepare for this process, ODM has a dedicated webpage that houses information on the renewal process, key steps consumers should take, key messages, answers to frequently asked questions, and other additional resources. Individuals are also encouraged to reach out to their county department of job and family services with any questions or they can use Medicaid’s eligibility tool on our website to check their eligibility status.
Mental Health Insurance Educational Webinars Announced for March
The Ohio Department of Insurance's Ohio Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA) is holding free, live webinars on March 21 and 23 geared to helping consumers and healthcare professionals in the state understand how to identify and navigate mental health and substance use disorder benefits in health insurance plans for treatment access.
During the webinars, MHIA staff will give an overview of the office's information and services, explain the regulation of mental health and substance use disorder insurance benefits, help participants understand how to determine those benefits in their health insurance plan, and detail how to file an insurance complaint with the department and appeal a denied health insurance claim or a reduced payment for a benefit/service.
Learn more and register for a webinar in this area on the department’s website.
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Virtual "Welcome to Medicare" Town Hall Set for March 14
Join Ohio Department of Insurance director Judith L. French and the department's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) Medicare experts for a virtual "Welcome to Medicare" Town Hall on March 14 at 11 a.m.
The event kicks off OSHIIP's virtual and in-person statewide Welcome to Medicare outreach events that will run from April through June. OSHIIP is the official Medicare educational and counseling program in Ohio.
After an introduction from Director French, OSHIIP representatives will provide an overview of Medicare, Part A and Part B benefits, Part D prescription drug coverage, Medicare supplemental insurance plans, Medicare Advantage plans, eligibility, enrollment, financial assistance, important deadlines, and take questions.
Registration is required for the virtual town hall.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners Announces 2023 Regulatory Priorities
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced its strategic priorities for 2023. Each year, NAIC members finalize the priorities and discuss potential work plans after assigning committee and task force responsibilities to representatives of state insurance departments. The NAIC provides expertise, data, and analysis for state insurance regulators to effectively regulate the U.S. state-based insurance industry and protect consumers.
“Our plans for 2023 position us well to continue to advance state-based solutions on current challenging issues. Through close collaboration, careful analysis, and coordinated action, state insurance regulators are committed to protecting consumers and competitive markets in an evolving world,” said Chlora Lindley-Myers, NAIC President and Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance.
NAIC 2023 Priorities (in alphabetical order):
- Climate Risk/Natural Catastrophes and Resiliency
- Data/Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Innovation
- Insurer Financial Oversight and Transparency
- Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI)
- Marketing of Insurance Products
- Race and Insurance/Protection Gaps and Financial Inclusion
Information about the Ohio Department of Insurance’s NAIC committee and task force assignments for 2023 is available in this section of the department’s website.
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