Working to Protect Ohio Insurance Consumers
by Judith L. French, Director
Home to one of the largest insurance marketplaces in the world and an environment that fosters insurance innovation, Ohio is the Heart of Insurance, and consumer protection is at the heart of the Ohio Department of Insurance's work regulating the state's dynamic insurance industry.
National Consumer Protection Week, March 3-9, has arrived and presents the perfect moment to share our recent and ongoing efforts – both community-facing and behind the scenes – to assist and protect insurance consumers, and to also encourage consumers to come to us with their insurance questions and complaints.
On the community-facing front, last year, our Consumer Services Division, Ohio Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA), and Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) saved a combined $50.3 million for consumers by helping them resolve coverage disputes, outline suitable coverage options, and identify financial assistance programs.
OSHIIP saved Ohioans on Medicare $37.2 million, counseled 160,838 people, and welcomed 454,700 people to educational activities, while our Consumer Services Division, which addresses automobile, homeowners, life, health, mental health, and other insurance-type issues, saved consumers $13.1 million, and handled 17,275 inquiries and 8,780 complaints. MHIA staff help Ohioans understand their mental health and substance use disorder insurance benefits to access the care they need.
More quietly but just as impactful, our other critical work to protect consumers involves licensing insurance companies, agents, and agencies, examining the financial solvency of insurance companies to pay consumers' claims, monitoring insurance industry business conduct, reviewing insurance products and rates, fighting insurance fraud, and more.
In addition, we remain a leader as part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the U.S. standard-setting organization of state-based insurance regulation that also prioritizes consumer protection. Ohio Department of Insurance staff currently serve on 22 committees and task forces, including myself as the Chair of the Life Insurance and Annuities Committee and as a member of the Financial Condition Committee; Innovation, Cybersecurity, and Technology Committee; Climate and Resiliency Executive Task Force; and Special Executive Committee on Race and Insurance.
It is a true honor to serve and protect Ohio insurance consumers, a duty our team of talented and dedicated employees takes very seriously. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your insurance questions or complaints at 800-686-1526 or other channels available at insurance.ohio.gov, where you can learn more about how we serve Ohioans and get educational insurance information.
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Ohio Department of Insurance Participating in National Consumer Protection Week Event
The Ohio Department of Insurance is participating in the Ohio Attorney General Office's National Consumer Protection Week Resource Fair on March 5 at the Westerville Senior Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave. in Westerville from 10 a.m. to noon.
Participating organizations will have information and representatives on hand to help people understand how to best protect their privacy, avoid identity theft, steer clear of scams, learn about insurance, including mental health insurance and Medicare, and more.
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Ohioans Cautioned to Watch for Medicare Medical Supplies Scam
Director French warns Ohioans on Medicare to watch for fraudulent Medicare claims made with their Medicare numbers for medical supplies, most notably urinary catheters, back and knee braces, and glucose monitors.
The scammers are using individuals' Medicare numbers and fraudulently billing Medicare, oftentimes thousands of dollars per fraudulent claim. Affected individuals are not impacted financially but face a confusing and stressful situation, including obtaining a new number and card from Medicare and possible complications in receiving legitimate medical supplies in the future.
Ohio Mental Health Parity Annual Report Issued
The Ohio Department of Insurance, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and RecoveryOhio have issued the latest annual joint Ohio Mental Health Parity Report. The report details engagement activity with consumers, payers, and other stakeholders, and identifies mental health insurance access and coverage trends and barriers.
The Ohio Department of Insurance handled 2,813 complaints specific to accident and health insurance in 2023. Of those accident and health insurance complaints, 17 were related to coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services. The Ohio Department of Insurance also received 19 requests for external review related to mental health and substance use disorder benefits.
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Insurance Agents, Agencies Required to Update Contact Information
Insurance agents and agencies are reminded that Ohio law requires that license holders must update their Ohio license record with any address (including email addresses), phone number, or name change within 30 days of the change occurring.
License holders should update their address and personal contact information through the National Insurance Producer Registry. Name changes must be made directly with the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Since state departments of insurance primarily communicate through email, license holders are urged to review and update their email addresses at least annually.
NAIC Announces 2024 Strategic Priorities
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced its 2024 strategic priorities. NAIC members annually finalize the priorities and discuss potential work plans after assigning committee and task force responsibilities to representatives of state insurance departments. Ohio Department of Insurance staff were chosen for 22 NAIC committee and task force roles in 2024. The NAIC provides expertise, data, and analysis for state insurance regulators to effectively regulate the U.S. state-based insurance industry and protect consumers.
The NAIC's strategic priorities (in alphabetical order) for 2024 are:
- Climate risks/natural catastrophes and resilience
- Insurer financial oversight and transparency
- Marketing of insurance products
- Race and insurance, financial inclusion, and protection gaps
- Use of AI by insurers and cyber risk
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N.A.I.C. Foundation Awards First Scholarship
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), of which the Ohio Department of Insurance is a member, announced the New Avenues to Insurance Careers (N.A.I.C.) Foundation has awarded its first scholarship to a student in Alabama.
The N.A.I.C. Foundation was incorporated in 2022 to provide scholarship and internship opportunities to college students across the country in underserved communities to help them obtain skills relevant to the regulation and business of insurance.
 Director French Visits Insurance Professionals in Southwest Ohio
Director French brought her "Ohio, The Heart of Insurance" discussion to the Cincinnati area on Feb. 28. She met with leadership and other staff from insurance agency CAI Insurance, as well as Ohio-domiciled insurance companies MassMutual Ascend and Western & Southern Life Insurance Company.
The discussion focused on several key areas, including the significance of a stable and predictable regulatory environment for the state's insurance industry, consumer protection, innovation, cybersecurity, workforce development, and the Ohio Department of Insurance's work with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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