IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
IN THE MATTER OF
THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF
THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND
THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF
THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND
THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
A. Parties
This Regulatory Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of May 29, 2008
(“Execution Date”), by and among the above named Insurance Companies and the Signatory Regulators.
A.1. “The Companies” consist of the following three companies:
§ | The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company (“MEGA”), | ||
§ | Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee (“Mid-West”), and | ||
§ | The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company (“Chesapeake”). |
A.2. The “Signatory Regulators” are made up of the following:
§ | The “Lead Regulators”, which are made up of two State regulators: |
§ | Director of the Alaska Division of Insurance, and | ||
§ | Insurance Commissioner of Washington State. |
§ | The “Domestic Regulators,” which are made up of two State regulators: |
§ | Insurance Commissioner of the State of Oklahoma, and | ||
§ | Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Texas. |
§ | The “Participating Regulators”, which are made up of the insurance regulators of each of the remaining jurisdictions that agree to approve this Agreement. |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 1
B. Scope of Agreement
The scope of this Agreement is the findings contained in the Multi-State Market Conduct
Examination of The HealthMarkets, Inc. Insurance Companies (“the Examination Report” or “the
Report”). The Report is attached as Attachment A, and is incorporated into this Agreement by
reference as though fully set forth here.
C. Effective Date
C.1. The Effective Date of this Agreement is 30 days after the date this Agreement is executed
by the insurance regulators of twenty-seven jurisdictions where the Companies are
licensed/authorized to do business.
D. Recitals and Background
D.1. MEGA is and has been a licensed insurance company domiciled in the State of Oklahoma.
D.2. Mid-West is a licensed insurance company domiciled in the State of Texas. Mid-West was
formerly domiciled in the State of Tennessee.
D.3. Chesapeake is and has been a licensed insurance company domiciled in the State of
Oklahoma.
D.4. MEGA and Mid-West are subsidiaries of HealthMarkets, Inc. (“HealthMarkets”) (formerly
known as UICI), a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business in North Richland
Hills, Texas. Chesapeake is a subsidiary of MEGA. MEGA, Mid-West, and Chesapeake are each bound by
any continuing conditions imposed upon them, regardless of their subsidiary status.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION
OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 2
D.5. On March 15, 2005, the States of Washington and Alaska issued a call letter to
UICI1 for a multi-state examination with stated examination objectives. Those
objectives are fully set forth in the Report, Attachment A to this Agreement, at pages 6 – 7.
D. 6. The examination was performed by an examination contracting firm, RSM McGladrey, Inc.
E. Monetary Penalty and Penalty for Failure to Perform
E.1. The Companies agree that they are responsible, jointly and severally, to pay a monetary
penalty in settlement with each Signatory Regulator of the regulatory findings as described in
Attachment A. The total amount of the penalty is $20,000,000 (Twenty Million Dollars). This
amount is payable within 10 business days of the Effective Date of this Agreement as defined in
section C.1 of this Agreement or the sign-on period and any extensions, as described in Sections
H.7 and H.9 of this Agreement, whichever is later. The manner of payment is set forth in
Attachment B to this Agreement.
E.2. In the event the Companies are found not to have met fully each of the standards set
forth in the Standards for Performance Measurement as set forth in Attachment C, the Companies
agree that they are responsible, jointly and severally, to pay a Penalty for Failure to Perform
calculated as listed in Attachment E to this Agreement. The maximum total possible Penalty for
Failure to Perform is $10,000,000 (Ten Million Dollars). Reference Section G.1.
E.3. The Monitoring Regulators as defined in Section G.2 will determine the amount, if any, of
the Penalty for Failure to Perform as a result of the Examination set forth in section
1 | On April 14, 2006, UICI announced that it had changed its corporate identity to HealthMarkets, Inc.. |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 3
G.4.of this Agreement. The amount of the Penalty for Failure to Perform must be agreed to by
a majority of the Monitoring Regulators. Once agreed upon, the Penalty for Failure to Perform
shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for the Signatory Regulators with regard to non-compliance
with the Standards for Performance Measurement, as shown by the results of the follow up
Examination as set forth in Section G.4.
F. Outreach Program
F.1. The Companies will develop an Outreach Program which will be fully
implemented within six months after the Effective Date of this Agreement. The Outreach Program
will have at least the features described in Sections F.2 and F.3 of this Agreement.
F.2. The Companies will send a notice to all existing insureds whose medical policies were
issued by the Companies prior to August 1, 2005. The notice will be substantially similar to the
sample attached to this Agreement as Attachment F and will be subject to approval by the Monitoring
Regulators. The Companies will also maintain a website that is responsive to coverage questions as
set forth below.
The notice will be mailed no later than six months after the Effective Date and will include
the following:
• A toll free number, mailing address, and email address for insureds to access
with any questions. The toll-free number, mail and email will be directed to Company personnel
as described in Section F.3 of this agreement who will be able to provide detailed information
about the insured’s specific plan of insurance.
• A website address for the Companies. The website content related to this Outreach
Program will be acceptable to both parties and will include the following:
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 4
o | A “frequently asked questions” section that answers relevant coverage questions, and which will be subject to an initial review by the Monitoring Regulators. | ||
o | General coverage descriptions which will provide information about any existing coverages provided by the Companies including, but not limited to, preventive care, outpatient care for illnesses and injuries, inpatient hospital care, and emergency care (including care in Urgent Care centers and emergency rooms, and ambulance coverage). | ||
o | A listing of the mailing address, email address and toll free number to contact the Company personnel described in Section F.3. of this agreement. | ||
o | Information about how to pursue the claims appeal and grievance process and contact information. |
F.3. The Companies will provide a toll-free telephone number that insureds may call to ask any
questions about their existing coverage. The number will connect them to appropriate Company
personnel who will:
• | Be trained to respond to these calls | ||
• | Be able to walk the insured through his or her coverage using plain language to confirm the insured’s understanding of the coverage. | ||
• | Explain insurance coverages under the insured’s existing plans. | ||
• | Offer to send the insured a complete certificate of insurance. |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 5
• | Provide information about any existing coverages provided by the Companies including, but not limited to, preventive care, outpatient care for illnesses and injuries, inpatient hospital care, and emergency care (including care in Urgent Care centers and emergency rooms, and ambulance coverage). |
G. Standards for Performance Measurement
G.1. The Companies will continue their implementation of a plan of corrective action following
the Effective Date of this Agreement. The purpose of this plan will be to address and resolve the
findings in the Examination Report. The standards upon which the Companies’ performance of this
plan will be measured will be known as the “Standards for Performance Measurement” and are set
forth in Attachment C to this Agreement. All standards in the Standards for Performance
Measurement will be met no later than December 31, 2009.
G.2. The Domestic Regulators, the Lead Regulators and the California Department of Insurance,
will work together to monitor the Companies’ compliance with this Agreement. This group of
regulators monitoring the Companies’ compliance will be called the “Monitoring Regulators.” The
Companies understand that in addition to the standards set forth in the Standards for Performance
Measurement, it is the Companies’ obligation to take whatever action is needed for the Companies to
comply with the laws in each jurisdiction with which they do business with respect to the issues of
concern detailed in the examination.
G.3 The Companies and Monitoring Regulators agree to meet each other’s reasonable request to
discuss the Companies’ progress in implementing the terms of this Agreement. The Companies agree
to deliver to the Washington State Commissioner semi-annual written reports in the format set forth
in Attachment D to this Agreement. The period of time covered by each
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 6
report, and the due date for each report is set forth in Attachment D to this Agreement. The
reporting period will extend from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009.
G.4. The Monitoring Regulators will:
§ | review the Companies’ reports of their progress in implementing the Standards for Performance Measurement; | ||
§ | provide summary reports of the Companies’ progress to the Participating Regulators; | ||
§ | identify the need for additional measures if the Companies are not in compliance with this Agreement and communicate the same to the Companies in a timely manner; and | ||
§ | implement a follow-up examination of the Companies. This examination will be initiated no later than July 1, 2010. The examination shall be conducted in accordance with the then-current NAIC Market Regulation Handbook as a guideline. The purpose of the examination will be to: |
o | Assess the accuracy and validity of the Companies’ reports; | ||
o | Assess the Companies’ compliance with this Agreement, including the Standards for Performance Measurement; | ||
o | Assess the need for any possible Penalty for Failure to Perform; and, | ||
o | Conclude the terms of this Agreement and the multi-state market conduct examination of the Companies. |
G.5. The Monitoring Regulators may personally participate in monitoring under this Agreement,
or may designate employees or other representatives such as contracted examiners to participate on
their behalf. The designation of participants will be at the discretion of each Monitoring
Regulator. This examination will be conducted as a follow-up examination under the
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 7
direction of the Monitoring Regulators as set forth in Section G.4.
G.6. The Companies agree that
the reasonable costs of monitoring by the Monitoring Regulators and/or the contracted examiner(s)
designated by the Monitoring Regulators will be the Companies’ sole responsibility.
G.7. The
monitoring of the Companies’ compliance with this Agreement constitutes an ongoing market analysis
action by the State of Washington, as a Lead Regulator, pursuant to Washington Insurance Code
Chapter 48.37 RCW. To the extent permitted or required by law, the work papers, recorded
information, documents, and copies of work papers, recorded information, and documents produced by,
obtained by, or disclosed to the Signatory Regulators pursuant to this Agreement shall be given
confidential treatment and shall not be subject to subpoena, civil investigative demand or other
process, and may not be made public by the Signatory Regulators or to any other person, and shall
not be public records subject to disclosure pursuant to other relevant Washington law. To the
extent permitted or required by law, the Signatory Regulators agree to provide written notice to
the Companies if the disclosure of this information is requested by a non-regulator and to permit
sufficient time between the Companies’ receipt of such notice and any disclosure of the information
for the Companies to take measures to protect the confidentiality of the information.
G.8 Compliance with each of the standards in the Standards for Performance Measurement will be
measured on either a pass/fail basis or a tolerance level as established in Attachment C.
Compliance with each standard of each action item articulated in the Standards for Performance
Measurement (Attachment C) shall be considered compliance with the
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 8
Standards for Performance Measurement. As set forth in Section G.1 of this Agreement, the
Companies will be in compliance on or before December 31, 2009.
G.9. Following implementation of the examination referenced in Section G.4. , if the
Monitoring Regulators, in consultation with other Participating Regulators, determine that the
Companies are not in compliance with each standard in the Standards for Performance Measurement ,
the Companies agree to pay the applicable portion of the Penalty for Failure to Perform, calculated
as set forth in Attachment E of this Agreement. The Companies also agree to undertake such other
remedial measures as are agreed to by the Monitoring Regulators and the Companies. The Companies
understand that the Monitoring Regulators, in consultation with the Participating Regulators, will
determine appropriate action by the regulators.
G.10. This Agreement does not prevent any Signatory Regulator from taking any appropriate
action if the Companies violate any provision of the Regulator’s insurance laws and regulations
outside the scope of this Agreement.
G.11 Signatory Regulators, other than Domestic Regulators, agree not to examine the Companies
on matters set forth in the Scope of Examination on pages 27 and 28 of the Examination Report until
after the date of completion of the terms of this Agreement, including the re-examination contained
in Section G.4.
G.12 Signatory Regulators, other than Domestic Regulators, agree to terminate pending,
suspended or inactive examinations and investigations of the Companies on matters set forth in
Scope of Examination on pages 27 and 28 of the Examination Report, including the time frame of the
multi-state examination.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 9
G.13 This Agreement is not intended and may not be construed to limit the authority of any
Signatory Regulator to investigate and take appropriate action, including bringing an
administrative enforcement action with claim for penalties, against the Companies with regard to a
consumer or provider complaint.
G.14. If the Monitoring Regulators, in consultation with the Participating Regulators,
determine that the Companies are not in compliance with the Standards for Performance Measurement
in a particular jurisdiction of a Signatory Regulator, the Companies agree to work with that
Signatory Regulator to address and resolve the issues. In the event that the Signatory Regulator
and the Companies cannot resolve such issues, the Signatory Regulator may take other appropriate
action within the context of the jurisdiction’s laws. In connection with any action taken under
this paragraph, a Signatory Regulator shall not impose a monetary penalty in excess of the amount
that would have been payable to that Signatory Regulator individually under Section G.10.
G. 15. In the event that the Monitoring Regulators find, after consultation with the
Companies, that the Companies have intentionally breached the terms of the Agreement, then any
penalty or fine imposed by the Signatory Regulators as a result of such finding shall not be
limited by the penalty provisions of this Agreement.
H. Other Provisions
H.1. By entering into this Agreement, the Signatory Regulators and Companies intend to resolve
all the findings in the Report, including any alleged violations of laws and regulations. The
Companies neither admit nor deny (1) the regulatory findings in the Report and (2) that their
conduct during the examination period violated any law or regulation, and desire to enter into
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 10
this Agreement in order to promote regulatory efficiency. By the execution, delivery of this
Agreement and/or any Applicable Consent Order as defined in Section H.7 (and except as necessary to
enforce the terms hereof), and payment of the Monetary Penalty set forth in Section E.1. each
Signatory Regulator does hereby release and forever discharge the Companies and all officers,
directors, agents and representatives of and from all civil or administrative causes, actions,
claims, damages, fines, sanctions, losses, demands, or other liability that the Signatory
Regulators could pursue or seek for matters set forth in the Scope of Examination set forth on
pages 27 and 28 of the Examination Report, and the findings contained in the Examination Report.
H.2. The Signatory Regulators shall have the sole and exclusive right to enforce this
Agreement. If the Signatory Regulators fail at any time to require strict performance by the
Companies of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement, this will in no way
affect the Signatory Regulators’ rights to enforce those terms, provisions or conditions. If the
Signatory Regulators at any time waive any breach of any terms, provisions or conditions of this
Agreement, this will not be construed or deemed a waiver of any succeeding breach of any term,
provision or condition.
H.3. When an issue regarding interpretation of this Agreement applies to more than one
jurisdiction, the Signatory Regulators and the Companies agree that Washington law shall govern.
When an issue regarding this Agreement is specific to one jurisdiction, the Signatory Regulators
and the Companies agree that the particular substantive law of that jurisdiction will be used to
interpret, apply and enforce any provision of this Agreement in that jurisdiction. In such
case(s), the appropriate forum is in the courts or before the regulatory agency of that
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 11
particular jurisdiction. Nothing in this Agreement enlarges, diminishes, supersedes or
preempts the insurance laws and regulations of any Signatory Regulator’s jurisdiction.
H.4. If the Companies default under any obligation under this Agreement, they shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cure the default as soon as reasonably practicable. If the
default is not remedied within 90 business days following personal delivery or delivery by
facsimile of a written notice pursuant to Section H.18 specifying the default (during which period
the Signatory Regulators and the Companies will make reasonable efforts to resolve any disputes
regarding the default), the Signatory Regulator(s) may seek administrative and/or judicial
enforcement of this Agreement, provided that if the Signatory Regulator’s laws provide for an
administrative hearing, the Companies may waive their right to a hearing to the extent permitted by
law. The Signatory Regulators reserve the right to pursue any other remedy or remedies for
violations of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to waive or limit the
rights of the Signatory Regulators to seek such other additional remedies. In addition to the
other penalties applicable pursuant to this agreement, the Signatory Regulators retain the right to
impose any other regulatory penalty otherwise available by law, including fines, for the Company’s
intentional breach of the terms of this Agreement.
H.5. Nothing in this Agreement confers any rights upon any persons or entities other than the
Signatory Regulators and the Companies. Further, the parties do not intend for this Agreement to
have collateral estoppel or res judicata effect in any legal proceeding against the Companies.
H.6. The Companies may not seek or accept, directly or indirectly, indemnification under any
insurance policy for any amounts payable under this Agreement.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 12
H.7. To become a party to this Agreement, an Insurance Director, Commissioner, Superintendent
or his or her designee must execute and deliver a signed signature page to the Insurance
Commissioner of the State Of Washington within 60 days from the date following the receipt of this
Agreement from the State of Washington. If a Signatory Regulator finds that applicable state law,
regulation or procedure requires the preparation and execution of a consent order in order to carry
out the terms of this Agreement, such a consent order (the “Applicable Consent Order”) will be
prepared by the Participating Regulator within 60 days following the Effective Date. The Lead
Regulators and the Companies may waive or extend the 60-day period for Participating Regulators to
execute this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, an “Applicable Consent Order” shall be
satisfactory to the Companies if it: (i) incorporates by reference and attaches via exhibit a copy
of this Agreement, (ii) expressly adopts and agrees to the provisions of this Agreement, and (iii)
includes only those other terms that may be legally required in the jurisdiction of the applicable
Participating Regulator. In order to be legally required, the term must be specified by statute,
regulation, bulletin or other interpretive document, or case law and the statute, regulation,
bulletin or other interpretive document, or case law must further require the inclusion of the term
in an agreement between the Participating Regulator and its regulated entities. However, nothing
in this Agreement will be construed to require any jurisdiction to execute and deliver an
Applicable Consent Order if that jurisdiction elects instead to sign this Agreement.
H.8. By its signature, each Signatory Regulator gives his or her express assurance that:
§ | This Agreement is enforceable by its terms under the applicable laws, regulations and judicial rulings in its respective jurisdiction; |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 13
§ | The Signatory Regulator, on behalf of his or her respective jurisdiction, has the authority to enter into this Agreement and bind that party now and in the future; and | ||
§ | The Signatory Regulator has reviewed and agrees with the terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement. |
H.9. The Monitoring Regulators and the Companies may mutually agree, in writing, to any
reasonable extensions of time that might become necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Agreement.
H.10. This Agreement (including Attachments) and/or any Applicable Consent Order issued by a
Signatory Regulator set forth the entire agreement among the parties with respect to its subject
matter and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether in written or
oral form) between the Companies and the Signatory Regulators.
H.11. This Agreement (or its Attachments) may be amended upon request of any Participating
Regulator or the Companies, provided that such amendment does not materially alter this Agreement.
Such amendment requires a majority vote of the Monitoring Regulators and agreement by the Companies
but does not require the consent of any Participating Regulator. This includes, but is not limited
to, technical or typographical corrections. All such amendments to this Agreement shall be in
writing.
H.12. Nothing in this Agreement or any of its terms and conditions may be interpreted to alter
in any way the contractual terms of any insurance policy or health benefit plan issued or acquired
either by the Companies or by the parties to such contract.
H.13. Except in a proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement, neither the Companies nor
the Signatory Regulators may offer this Agreement or any related negotiations,
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 14
statements or court proceedings as evidence of an admission or concession of any liability or
wrongdoing whatsoever on the part of any person or entity, including but not limited to the
Companies or any affiliates thereof, or as a waiver by the Companies or any of its affiliates of
any applicable defense, including without limitation any applicable statute of limitations or
statute of frauds.
H.14. In addition to payments required under this Agreement, the Companies agree to pay the
reasonable expenses incurred by the Monitoring Regulators and the Participating Regulators for
their travel and incidental expenses associated with the negotiation and implementation of the
provisions of this Agreement. Such expenses will be payable within 30 days of the presentation of
invoices. Moreover, reasonable expenses of the regulators or their designees incurred in
monitoring the Companies’ compliance with this Agreement, including the expenses of conducting or
attending any meetings, presentations, or discussions with the Companies or other regulators, shall
be the responsibility of the Companies.
H.15. Except as provided in H.1, nothing in this Agreement limits the authority of the
Signatory Regulators to conduct any regulatory functions, including dealing with specific instances
of consumer complaints, licensing changes, or rate and form filings.
H.16. This Agreement may be signed in multiple counterparts. Each will constitute a duplicate
original, but taken together, they will constitute one and the same instrument.
H.17. If any portion of this Agreement is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction,
the invalid portion will be deemed to be severed only within that court’s jurisdiction. All
remaining provisions of this Agreement will be given full force and effect and will not in any way
be affected.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 15
H.18. All notices permitted or required to be delivered under this Agreement must be in
writing and will be deemed delivered:
§ | At the time they are delivered by hand; | ||
§ | One business day after transmission by facsimile or other electronic system (evidenced by machine generated receipt); | ||
§ | Five business days after being placed in the hands of a commercial courier service for express delivery; or | ||
§ | 10 business days after placement in the mail. All notices must be mailed as follows: |
o | Registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. | ||
o | Postage prepaid. | ||
o | Addressed to the following addresses or a party’s most current principal address of which the party sending the notice has been notified: |
If to the Companies:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxxxxx 00
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
000-000-0000
xxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxxxxx 00
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
000-000-0000
xxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
If to the Lead or Monitoring Regulators:
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Market Conduct Oversight Manager
Office of Insurance Commissioner
Insurance 5000 Building
PO Box 40259
Olympia, WA 98504-0259
000-000-0000
xxxxxxx@xxx.xx.xxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Market Conduct Oversight Manager
Office of Insurance Commissioner
Insurance 5000 Building
PO Box 40259
Olympia, WA 98504-0259
000-000-0000
xxxxxxx@xxx.xx.xxx
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 16
H.19. The Companies will be excused from performance for any period and to the extent that the
Companies are prevented from performing any services, in whole or in part, as a result of delays
caused by an act of God, civil disturbance, court order, or other cause beyond the Companies’
reasonable control, including failures or fluctuations in electrical power, light, or
telecommunications equipment. Such non-performance will not be considered for determining the
Companies’ compliance with this Agreement. However, the Companies agree to establish and maintain
commercially reasonable recovery steps, including technical disaster recovery facilities,
uninterruptible power supplies for computer equipment, and communications. The Companies agree to
use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its business will be operational within 72 hours
of a performance failure due to one of the causes listed above.
H.20. The Signatory Regulators and the Companies agree to make a reasonable effort to provide
each other a copy of press releases pertaining to this Agreement at least 24 hours prior to
release. This information is to be sent to the contacts listed in Section H.18.
THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY
BY:
|
DATE | |||||
SIGNATURE | ||||||
ITS: |
||||||
PRINTED TITLE |
I,
|
, hereby affirm that I am the | of | ||||||
PRINTED NAME | PRINTED TITLE |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 17
The Mega Life and Health Insurance Company and have the authority to execute this Agreement on
behalf of that company.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 18
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE
BY:
|
DATE | |||||||
SIGNATURE | ||||||||
ITS: |
||||||||
PRINTED TITLE |
I,
|
, hereby affirm that I am the | of | ||||||
PRINTED NAME | PRINTED TITLE |
Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee and have the authority to execute this
Agreement on behalf of that company.
THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
BY:
|
DATE | |||||||
SIGNATURE | ||||||||
ITS: |
||||||||
PRINTED TITLE |
I,
|
, hereby affirm that I am the | of | ||||||
PRINTED NAME | PRINTED TITLE |
The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company and have the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of
that company.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 19
WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER | ||||
BY:
|
DATE | |||
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Insurance Commissioner of Washington State |
||||
ALASKA DIVISION OF INSURANCE | ||||
BY:
|
DATE | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxx, | ||||
Director, Alaska Division of Insurance |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 20
PARTICIPATING REGULATOR ADOPTION OF
THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MIDWEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND
THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MIDWEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND
THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
On behalf of [Insert Jurisdiction and Insurance Regulatory Agency], I, [Insert name of insurance
regulatory official executing the Agreement], hereby adopt, agree, and approve this Agreement.
[NAME OF INSURANCE REGULATORY AGENCY] | ||||
BY:
|
DATE | |||
SIGNATURE | ||||
PRINTED NAME OF REGULATORY OFFICIAL | ||||
PRINTED TITLE |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 21
ATTACHMENT A
Report
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 22
ATTACHMENT B
MONETARY PENALTY AND ALLOCATION TO SIGNATORY STATES
MONETARY PENALTY AND ALLOCATION TO SIGNATORY STATES
A. Definitions – For purposes of this Attachment, the following definitions shall apply.
A. 1. “Monetary Penalty” means the sum referenced in Section E. 1. of this
Agreement.
A.2. “Pro Rata State Allocation of Monetary Penalty” means the sum resulting from the
calculation set forth in section B.5. below.
B. Pro Rata State Allocation of Monetary Penalty
The portion of the Monetary Penalty due to a Signatory Regulator agreeing to
participate in this Agreement will be calculated as follows:
B. 1. Source Data: Direct Premium data will be derived from the Accident and Health column of
the Schedule T page of the 2005 annual statements filed with the NAIC for each of the Companies
(i.e., Mega , Chesapeake, and Mid-West)
B.2. Accident and Health Premiums for each state: The accident and health premiums from B.1.
for each of the three companies will be added together to arrive at total accident and health
premiums for each state. This will be done for each state that is a Signatory Regulator.
B. 3. Grand total for all signatory states: Each state total of accident and health premiums
in B.2. will be added together to arrive at a Grand total for all states. The Grand total for all
states will be used as base premiums upon which all the Signatory Regulators will base their pro
rata per cent.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 23
B.4. Pro rata per cent for each signatory state: Each signatory state total of accident and
health premiums will be divided by the Grand total from Paragraph B.3. above to arrive at a pro
rata percent for each state.
B.5. Pro Rata Allocation of Monetary Penalty due each state: To arrive at the Pro Rata
Allocation of Monetary Penalty due each Signatory Regulator state, the pro rata percent derived in
Paragraph B.4. above will be multiplied by the Grand Total for all states derived in B.3 above.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 24
ATTACHMENT C
STANDARDS FOR PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
The first column, “Required Action #”, is used for ease of reference to the particular
Required Action Items in the Multi-State Market Conduct Examination of The MEGA Life and Health
Insurance Company, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee, and The Chesapeake Life
Insurance Company.
The second column, entitled “Performance Standard”, sets forth the Performance Standards
developed by the Companies and agreed to by the Monitoring Regulators.
The third column entitled “Tolerance” sets forth Tolerances described in the Regulatory
Settlement Agreement.
Compliance with the standards contained herein constitutes full compliance with the
requirements imposed by the Agreement, as set forth in Section E.2.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 25
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||||
1. HEALTH INSURANCE AGENT TRAINING |
||||||||
Standard 1.A.1 | ||||||||
The Companies must modify their agency
program to expand
and improve agent
training,
particularly for
new agents, by
expanding theirs
training program to
include industry
knowledge, ethics,
product
presentation,
proper disclosures,
consistent delivery
across agencies,
and a robust
structure, among
|
• | The Companies have a written curriculum for new agents, which is standardized so that each agent receives the training as defined in 1.A.2. | Pass/Fail | |||||
other enhancements; | Standard 1.A.2 | |||||||
Standard curriculum for new agent training includes: | ||||||||
To ensure agents and consumers
thoroughly
understand the
products they are
selling/buying and
appropriate
disclosures are
made at the point
of sale and in
follow-up contacts,
the Company must: |
• • • • • • • • |
Information specific to applicable states or
U.S. territories; Overview of the health insurance industry; Basics of health insurance policies; Sales presentation standards; Fundamentals of health insurance policy provisions, including statements of coverage, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, exclusions, and cancellation; Business Ethics; Legal requirements regarding disclosures, application completion, and signatures; and Legal and ethical requirements for truth and fair dealing in sales of health insurance. |
||||||
1.A: Strengthen the training program for new agents by including health insurance industry information. |
||||||||
Pass/Fail | ||||||||
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT
EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 26
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||
Standard 1.A.3. | ||||
The Companies do not appoint recruits as agents until they have passed the Companies’ Training, Testing, Audit, Complaints, and Compliance (“TTACC”) testing and met state licensing requirements. TTACC, as used in these Standards for Performance Measurement, means the program as described in the Report and in the Companies’ Response to the Report, as well as subsequent modifications made to meet the provisions of this Agreement. | Pass/Fail | |||
1.B: Provide agent
training more
frequently based
upon average agent
retention
statistics, such as
every three to six
months rather than
annually
|
Standard 1.B.1 The Companies offer product training three times per calendar year at each division office. |
Pass/Fail | ||
Standard 1.B.2 For the remainder of the calendar year in which an agent initially passes TTACC testing, each agent is required to attend up to three additional training sessions to be chosen from those offered by his or her Division Office. |
10% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 27
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||
Standard 1.B.3 For every full calendar year after the year in which an agent initially passes TTACC testing, the Companies require all agents to attend at least three training sessions including at least one product training and one compliance/ethics training annually. |
10% | |||
1.C: Develop a
standard but
progressive
curriculum for
agents based upon
experience level
with the Company.
|
Standard 1.C.1 The Companies provide access to an on-line manual for each state and product set which agents are able to review at any time. The Companies provide timely communications regarding changes in underwriting processes, product clarifications, compliance updates, changes in forms and process to the division offices. |
Pass/Fail | ||
Standard 1.C.2 The Companies require all agents to pass annual testing (based on the agent’s TTACC anniversary date) in order to retain their appointments. This testing is updated to reflect new information implemented since their most recent TTACC testing. |
10% | |||
1.D: Strengthen the training program for existing agents, particularly product information, ethics and point of sale presentations. | Standard 1.D.1 |
|||||||||
The agent training curriculum includes: | ||||||||||
• | Business Ethics and Legal Requirements; | |||||||||
o | Legal requirements regarding disclosures, application completion, and signatures; | Pass/Fail | ||||||||
o | Legal and ethical requirements for truth and fair dealing in sales of health insurance; | |||||||||
• | Point of Sale (“POS”) Training including the following topics: |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 28
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||||||
o | Complete and accurate information about the Companies’ product portfolio and variety of riders; | |||||||||
o | Current presentation aids (brochures, visual aids, scripts, etc.) for use in educating Customers about and selling the Companies’ products; | |||||||||
o | Appropriate techniques for POS presentations to special populations (including the elderly, disabled, and non- or limited-English speaking persons); | |||||||||
o | Tools available to educate Customers about their products and resources available for assisting Customers with questions or problems which the agents are unable to resolve, including the local state insurance department; and | |||||||||
o | How to contact the Companies’ Agent Outreach department, a subset of the Companies’ Customer Service representatives dedicated to agent support. | |||||||||
• | New products and the related POS materials | |||||||||
o | Information on how a claim would be processed for each product, including | |||||||||
§ Limitations of products; and | ||||||||||
§ Stop-loss for Customers, where applicable. | ||||||||||
• | Complaint-handling procedures and support | |||||||||
Standard 1.D.2 |
||||||||||
The training program is reviewed at least annually and updated as needed. Updates are made more frequently if applicable laws or the Companies’ procedures require. | Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 29
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||
Standard 1.D.3 | ||||
Agents are required to pass testing on each product before the agents may sell that product. | 10% | |||
Standard 1.D.4 | ||||
Inappropriately submitted applications are rejected and not underwritten. | 10% | |||
Standard 1.D.5 | ||||
Trainees are asked to provide written or on-line evaluations of the training programs and the trainer(s). | Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 1.D.6 | ||||
The Companies have a Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for agents. | Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 1.D.7 | ||||
As part of the agent appointment process, and thereafter each calendar year, the Companies require that all agents acknowledge in writing or electronically that they have read and agreed to abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for agents. | 10% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 30
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||
1.E: Develop
centralized
standards and
controls to manage
agents and train
agency management
in appropriate
controls and
monitoring of agent
and agency
activities. Develop
tools and metrics
for measuring the
effectiveness of
training (e.g.
reduction of
complaints,
reductions un
cancellations,
etc.)
|
Standard 1.E.1 Annually, the Companies’ Compliance, Sales, Training, and Operations departments evaluate the Companies’ agent training program for course content (including new legislative or regulatory mandates), delivery and testing medium, and other feedback or information available to the Companies (including from trainee evaluations, complaints, field management, or Customer surveys); and thereafter, recommends improvements to the program. |
Pass/Fail | ||
Standard 1.E.2 | ||||
A team of Senior management, including the Companies’ Sales; Training; and Operations departments and the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) meet quarterly to discuss agent testing results and other feedback available to the Companies (including complaints or Customer survey information). This team recommends changes as a result of the feedback. | Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 1.E.3 | ||||
Appropriate departments within the Companies assess the recommendations from Senior management, provide feedback to Senior management, and implement the recommendations, as appropriate. | Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 1.E.4 | ||||
The Companies require that Field Leaders pass TTACC testing at a 90% level, holding them to a higher standard than the rest of the field force. | Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 31
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||
Standard 1.E.5 | ||||
The Companies require that trainers, including Field Leaders involved in training, are instructed on how to train by August 1, 2009. The Companies provide constructive written feedback to the trainers. Thereafter, Companies require that new Field Leaders who are involved in training are instructed on how to train within 60 days of their promotion to Field Leader. | 10% | |||
Standard 1.E.6 | ||||
The Companies have a plan and a schedule to provide annual refresher instruction on training techniques. | Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 1.E.7 | ||||
Each calendar year, the Companies require that trainers, including Field Leaders involved in training, receive refresher instruction on training techniques. | 10% | |||
1.F: Develop
additional methods
to help consumers
have a better
understanding of
the Companies’
products during the
sales process.
|
Standard 1.F.1 The Companies review Customer complaints and Benefit Confirmation Program (“BCP”) data at least quarterly to determine whether Customers understand the provisions of their policies, and to recommend necessary changes to agent training and point of sale materials. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 32
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 1.F.2 | ||||||
For currently marketed products, the Companies implement revisions to agent training, Customer care representative training, and point of sale materials within 90 days of the recommendations discussed in Standard 1.F.1. Customer care representatives are the Companies’ home office staff who communicate with or otherwise respond to communications received from Customers. | ||||||
In those instances where the revisions require regulatory or other external approval, system modifications or involve other dependencies: | Pass/Fail | |||||
• | The Companies have submitted a draft implementation program to the Monitoring Regulators regarding a reasonable timetable to implement these revisions. | |||||
• | The Companies have used all reasonable efforts to achieve agreement with the Monitoring Regulators on an implementation schedule. |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 33
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 1.F.3
For non-currently marketed products, the Companies revise Customer care representative training within 90 days of the recommendations discussed in Standard 1.F.1. In those instances where the revisions require regulatory or other external approval, systems modifications or involve other dependencies: |
Pass/Fail | |||||
• The Companies have submitted a draft
implementation
program to the Monitoring Regulators regarding a reasonable
timetable to implement these revisions. |
||||||
• The Companies have used all reasonable
efforts to
achieve agreement with the Monitoring Regulators on an
implementation schedule. |
||||||
1.G: Train BCP
Staff to be
assertive in
reviewing coverage
with clients to
ensure more calls
are successfully
completed.
|
Standard 1.G.1
The Companies utilize a standard, written BCP training program with content that is consistent with agent training on currently marketed products and new products. |
Pass/Fail | ||||
Standard 1.G.2 By August 1, 2008, the Companies train BCP representatives regarding use of listening and questioning techniques in order to assess the Customer’s level of understanding regarding currently marketed products and their features, and have incorporated listening and questioning techniques into new hire and annual refresher training. |
10 | % |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 34
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
2. AGENT OVERSIGHT |
||||||
To provide adequate
monitoring of
agents and agent
activities, the
Company must:
2.A: Implement quality assurance procedures over agent activities including monitoring procedures and periodic audits. |
Standard 2.A.1
The Companies have trained field leadership on the use and functionality of the Agency Management System (AMS) by August 1, 2009. • Thereafter, Companies require
supplemental training
based on upgrades to AMS within 60 days of the upgrade
installation.
• The Companies require promoted
Field Leaders to
complete training within 60 days of promotion.
|
10 |
% |
|||
Standard 2.A.2
The Companies utilize AMS, including: |
Pass/Fail | |||||
• Use of the system to monitor
agent performance based
on the severity and volume of each agent’s complaints; and |
||||||
• Use of the system by Field Leaders
to monitor, mentor,
and provide additional coaching to the agents. |
||||||
Standard 2.A.3
The Companies utilize AMS data to review and act on inappropriate sales practices via the Sales Practices Review Team (“SPRT”) or a successor committee which meets at least 10 times per year. |
Pass/Fail | |||||
Standard 2.A.4
Proven serious agent misconduct is dealt with expeditiously when known to the Companies. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 35
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
2.B: Enhance the
effectiveness of
agent training by
requiring monitored
testing and
monitoring the
delivery of the
training
presentations by
field managers.
|
Standard 2.B.1
The Companies test their agents in a monitored and proctored environment in field offices under the supervision of the Division Leader or designee to ensure that no notes, brochures or other reference materials are available to the agent. The test is conducted on-line and is initiated by the monitoring Division Leader or designee. |
10 |
% |
|||
Standard 2.B.2
The testing program is designed to demonstrate the agents’ ability to: • Answer Customers’ most
frequently asked questions;
|
||||||
• Explain what is covered by the policy; |
||||||
• Explain what is excluded from the policy; |
||||||
• Outline the types of expenses
the Customer can expect
to pay out of pocket (deductible, co-insurance, co-pays,
etc.); |
||||||
• Describe the Customer population(s)
for whom this
product is appropriate; |
Pass/Fail | |||||
• Describe the Customer population(s)
for whom this
product is NOT appropriate; |
||||||
• Describe the relationship
between the Companies and
the association and whether association membership is required
for purchase or maintenance of coverage under the product; and |
||||||
• Know the Companies’ requirements
for a point-of-sale
presentation of this product (for example, leaving a detailed
product brochure with the Customer, use of the association
disclosure form). |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 36
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 2.B.3
The Companies conduct annual in-person reviews of the Field Leaders’ presentations of health insurance agent training as part of the TTACC audit program. |
10 |
% |
||||
2.C: Implement a
plan to monitor
agents’ actions
using tools such as
comprehensive field
audits, phone
interviews with
recent customers,
secret shoppers and
trending of agent
and agency related
information such as
complaint
statistics,
cancellations,
product upgrades
and the like.
|
Standard 2.C.1
As part of the BCP program, the Companies attempt to contact all new medical product Customers within 90 days of the sale regarding their coverage and their POS experience. |
Pass/Fail |
||||
Standard 2.C.2
When issues relating to agent conduct are identified through the BCP calls, those agent issues are investigated by the Companies. |
10 |
% |
||||
Standard 2.C.3
The Companies use AMS to monitor agent actions in the specific areas of |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
• Business submitted; |
||||||
• Complaints activity; and |
||||||
• Taken rate (percentage of
declines, incompletes, and
cancellations of total business submitted). |
||||||
Standard 2.C.4
Procedures are in place for appropriate response to problems identified through the agent monitoring program, including retraining, discipline, or termination of the agent or field leadership, as appropriate. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 37
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 2.C.5
As problems are identified through the agent monitoring program, they are resolved, as appropriate, including retraining, discipline, or termination of the agent or field leadership. |
10 |
% |
||||
Standard 2.C.6
The Companies review logged complaints quarterly to determine trends such as misunderstandings about product features, processing concerns, benefit dissatisfaction, and failure of agents to provide sufficient information to Customers. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
Standard 2.C.7
If negative indications or trends are identified as the result of the quarterly review of logged complaints or trends, the Companies take action to resolve the indicated problem(s). |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
Standard 2.C.8
The Companies review quarterly the results of Customer surveys and recommend and implement changes to training, products, or processes as appropriate. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
2.D: Provide
additional point of
sale materials such
as scripts and
checklists for
agents’ use and
ensure that all
materials include
appropriate
disclosures.
|
Standard 2.D.1
The Companies’ Compliance, Product Development and Sales departments have developed POS materials and disclosures to support products currently offered to Customers. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 38
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 2.D.2
POS materials are reviewed at least annually to assess whether the materials continue to be appropriate and whether they include appropriate disclosures. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
Standard 2.D.3
The Companies document any revisions made to POS materials, as well as whether POS materials have been discontinued. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
2.E: Investigate
all agents with
unusual trend
statistics and all
complaints
regarding claims
alleging that
agents
misrepresented the
product at the
point of sale. Any
agent found to be
misrepresenting the
products at the
point of sale
should be
retrained,
disciplined or
dismissed as
appropriate for the
circumstances.
|
Standard 2.E.1
The Companies utilize AMS data to review and act on inappropriate sales practices via SPRT or a successor committee which meets at least 10 times per year. |
Pass/Fail |
||||
Standard 2.E.2
Proven serious agent misconduct is dealt with expeditiously when known to the Companies. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
Standard 2.E.3
All complaints clearly alleging agent misrepresentation of the product at the point of sale are investigated. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
Standard 2.E.4
Those agents investigated per Standard 2.E.2 and 2.E.3, and found to be misrepresenting products at the point of sale are retrained or disciplined as appropriate up to, and including, dismissal. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 39
Required Action | Performance Standard | Tolerance | ||||
2.F: Hold field
management, such as
regional managers
and above,
accountable for the
actions of each
agent under their
supervision. Field
management
performance
assessment and
overall
compensation should
contain a component
that is tied to
such performance
measures as the
number of
complaints received
about sales
practices in the
manager’s
territory, the
number of
cancellations and
persistency of
business written by
the manager and his
agents, and other
actions that may be
indicators of the
overall performance
of that manager’s
territory.
Incentives should also be developed
which reward
regional managers
who demonstrate
effective
accountability and
management of their
agents with respect
to compliance
requirements and
performance.
|
Standard 2.F.1
The Companies annually evaluate Field Leaders based upon TTACC audit results and the performance of agents within their respective territories. Performance measurements include: |
|||||
• Complaint activity;
• Taken rates; and,
• Risk associated with agent debt.
These measurement standards identify Field Leaders requiring additional oversight, as well as those demonstrating effective accountability and performance. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 40
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
3. CLAIMS HANDLING |
||||||
Standard 3.A.1 | ||||||
3.A: The Company must
identify and re-adjudicate
any claims for which
diagnosis and CPT codes were
altered because of the risk
that the claim may not have
been paid correctly as a
result of the code change.
The Company must cease to
alter diagnosis and CPT
codes submitted by providers
on claims.
|
The Companies have identified claims in the claims sample selected as part of the Multi-State exam for which diagnosis and CPT codes were refined by the Companies which could have resulted in improper claims adjudication outcomes. These claims were assessed to determine whether any improper claims adjudications outcomes resulted from the refinement of diagnosis and CPT codes, and were re-adjudicated based on this assessment, as appropriate. |
10 |
% |
|||
Standard 3.A.2
The Companies do not allow diagnosis or CPT codes submitted by providers on claims to be altered by Company personnel. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 41
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||
3.B: The Company must
make changes to the
claims adjudication
system that will allow
them to enter an entire
claim into their system
as a single claim.
|
Standard 3.B.1 For business not yet set up on or migrated to a new claims adjudication system as described in Standard 3.B.2, the Companies’ claims adjudication system allows an entire claim to be tracked and counted as a single claim unit for each bill submitted and processed in the system, and the Companies require that each claim is handled under a single claim identifier (“film number”). |
Pass/Fail |
||
Standard 3.B.2 As of 12/31/2009, the Companies enter claims for any products set up on a new claims adjudication system as a unique single claim unit for each bill submitted and process in the system under a single claim number. |
Pass/Fail |
|||
3.C: All claims must be
adjudicated in a timely
manner as required by
statute or rule in the
appropriate jurisdiction
based on claim
submission location. All
delayed claims letters
must include a reason
for the delay. The
Company’s practice of
pending claims while
waiting for information
on other claims must
cease.
|
Standard 3.C.1 All claims are adjudicated in a timely manner as required by statute or rule in the appropriate jurisdiction (including the tolerances provided in those statutes or rules) based upon claim submission location. Where no tolerance standards are promulgated in a particular jurisdiction, the NAIC Market Regulation Handbook tolerance standard of 7% applies. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 42
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 3.C.2 All delayed claim letters include the reason(s) for the delay and information needed to complete processing. |
7 |
% |
||||
Standard 3.C.3 The Companies do not allow personnel to pend claims while waiting for information on other unrelated claims. Each claim submission is handled separately. |
7 |
% |
||||
3.D: All Explanation of
Benefit forms must
include the deductible
information pertinent to
the claim.
|
Standard 3.D.1 All EOB forms include the deductible information pertinent to the claim. |
7 |
% |
|||
3.E: The Company must
perform independent
routine and ongoing
audits of claims to
determine adherence with
the Claims Procedures
Manual and applicable
laws and regulations.
The results of such
audits must be analyzed
by compliance personnel
to identify trends and
root causes of claim
mishandling, areas for
training emphasis, and
problem claim adjusters.
Audits must result in
action by the Company to
correct those areas
found to be problematic
or deficient.
|
Standard 3.E.1 The Companies perform routine and ongoing audits of claims to determine adherence with the Claims Procedures Manual and applicable laws and regulations. These audits are conducted by claims department personnel independent of the claims adjudication unit. • The auditing program is such that each claims handler
has at least one of his or her claims audited monthly.
|
10 |
% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 43
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||
Standard 3.E.2 The Companies’ claims department audits are consistent across Companies and the auditing program is evaluated and updated on an ongoing basis and at least annually. |
Pass/Fail |
|||
Standard 3.E.3 The results of the audits are analyzed quarterly by appropriate supervisory or senior personnel to identify trends and root causes of claim mishandling, areas for training emphasis, and problem claims adjusters. |
||||
The Companies can demonstrate that procedures are in place and
followed for appropriate response to problems identified through
the claims handling audit program, including retraining,
discipline, or dismissal of claims handlers, as appropriate. The Companies can demonstrate follow-through on any identified need for change from identification to action and resolution. Such follow-through includes assessment of each change. |
Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 3.E.4 The claims department’s auditing program includes random selection and auditing of paid, pending and denied claims. The number of claims sampled is consistent with the requirements of the NAIC Market Regulation Handbook. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 44
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||
4. CLAIMS PROCEDURES MANUAL |
||||
The
Company will develop and maintain a Claims Procedures Manual. |
Standard 4.1 |
|||
The Companies maintain a current Claims Procedures Manual. | Pass/Fail | |||
Standard 4.2 |
||||
The Companies are able to demonstrate that the Claims Procedures Manual is evaluated and updated as appropriate, and at a minimum annually. | ||||
Pass/Fail | ||||
5. IDENTIFICATION OF COMPANY |
||||
5.A:
All claims should be
adjudicated under the Company in which the claim is being made. |
Standard 5.A.1 |
|||
All claims are adjudicated under the Company in which the claim is being made. | 7% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 45
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
5.B: Anytime a claim is
denied, appropriate
notification must be
sent.
|
Standard 5.B.1 Each Customer is notified any time a claim is denied. This includes situations where a Customer has coverage under more than one of the Companies, and a Company believes that the Customer’s claim may more appropriately or successfully be made to another of the Companies. In that situation, the Companies ensure that this information is clearly explained to the Customer and correctly documented by the Company (or Companies) to which the claim is being made. |
7 |
% |
|||
5.C: All claims must be
documented correctly by
being filed with the
Company in which the
claim is being made.
|
Standard 5.C.1 The Companies do not allow Company personnel to process a claim under a different company or policy than that under which the claim has been made without direct, clear explanation to the Customer and compliance with the above requirements. |
7 |
% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 46
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 5.C.2 Documentation in each Company’s file is such that a reviewer can determine from the documentation: |
||||||
• The actions taken by the Company with regard to a claim; |
||||||
• The status of the claim related to that Company; and |
||||||
• If a Company has denied and closed a claim because
coverage exists under the Customer’s policy with another of the
Companies, a reviewer can tell from the first company’s
documentation which Company’s records to search to find
subsequent developments on the claim.
|
7 | % | ||||
6. TRANSPARENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH ASSOCIATIONS |
||||||
The Company must
provide sufficient
transparency
information based on
the complexity of the
Company’s relationship
with the associations
and its own affiliates.
This includes:
|
Standard 6.A.1 The Companies require that insurance payments and association payments are received as two separate payments. |
|||||
6.A: The Company must
change its procedures so
that the insurance
payments and the
association
payments are received as
two separate payments.
The Company must
identify states in which
the definition of
premium includes all
amounts collected by the
insurer, and must advise
those states of the
possibility that the
Company may need to
amend premium tax
filings. The Company
must work with the
affected regulatory
jurisdictions to correct
prior year filing
errors.
|
10 | % |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 47
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
Standard 6.A.2 The Companies are able to demonstrate that they have identified each state in which the definition of premium includes all amounts collected by the insurer and advised those states whether the Companies need to amend their premium tax filings. The Companies can demonstrate follow-through with each applicable state. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
6.B: The Company must
disclose, with emphasis
and clarity, to
consumers and
policyholders the
relationship between the
Company and any
associations it uses for
marketing products.
|
Standard 6.B.1 The Companies disclose to Customers the relationship between each Company and each association the Company utilizes for marketing products. |
10 |
% |
|||
6.C: The Company needs
to clearly disclose to
regulators how the
Policy Fees and the
association New Member
Admin Fees are allocated
between the insurance
company and the
associations. This will
assist the Company in
providing to the
regulators an accurate
accounting for premium
tax purposes and for the
proper accounting for
premium refunds to
insureds.
|
Standard 6.C.1 The Companies record as revenue the policy fees collected on which they correspondingly pay premium tax. The Companies do not record as revenue fees payable to the association. |
10 |
% |
|||
Standard 6.C.2 The Companies properly calculate and account for premium refunds to Customers according to applicable Company policies, laws, rules, and regulations. |
10 |
% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 48
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
6.D: The Company needs
to remain vigilant that
its relationships with
all entities are cost
effective and do not
adversely impact the
cost of insurance to
consumers/policyholders.
|
Standard 6.D.1 The Companies evaluate the associations through which they sell products on an annual basis to assess whether the reputation of the association , the fees charged and the services offered make it an appropriate avenue for selling the Companies’ products. |
Pass/Fail |
||||
7. COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES |
||||||
For complaints and
grievances to be handled
appropriately, the
Company must take the
following actions:
|
Standard 7.A.1 All complaints, written and verbal, are recorded and logged in compliance with applicable state laws and the Companies’ procedures. |
10 |
% |
|||
7.A: All complaints
must be recorded and
logged correctly in
compliance with states’
laws and the Company’s
stated procedure. |
||||||
7.B: The Company must
ensure that all issues
raised in a
complaint/grievance are
acknowledged and
investigated,
finalized/disposed of in
accordance with rules
and regulations,
applicable statutes and
contract language.
|
Standard 7.B.1 All issues raised in a complaint or grievance, written or verbal, are acknowledged, investigated and finalized / disposed of according to applicable contract language, statutes, rules and regulations. |
10 |
% |
|||
7.C: The Company must
comply with the
timeliness of response
and timeliness of
resolution of each
complaint/grievance as
required by applicable
statutes, rules and
regulations.
|
Standard 7.C.1 All complaints and grievances, written or verbal, are handled in compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations for timely responses and resolutions. |
10 |
% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 49
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
7.D: The Company must
identify those
jurisdictions that have
statutes or regulations
defining a grievance.
|
Standard 7.D.1 The Companies have identified those jurisdictions that have statutes or regulations defining a “grievance” and maintain state-specific procedures for staff when handling grievances. |
Pass/Fail |
||||
1. The
Company must train
appropriate
personnel to
identify
grievances upon
receipt. |
||||||
2. The
Company must develop
procedures for
staff to follow
when handling
grievances. These
procedures must be
state specific. |
||||||
Standard 7.D.2 The Companies can demonstrate that all appropriate staff is trained to identify grievances upon receipt. |
10 |
% |
||||
Standard 7.D.3 The Companies have written procedures in place for all appropriate staff to follow when handling grievances. These procedures are consistent with state-specific statutes, rules, and regulations governing grievances. |
Pass/Fail |
|||||
7.E: The Company must
request an agent
statement for all
complaints involving an
agent’s actions.
|
Standard 7.E.1 The Companies’ procedures require that an agent’s statement must be requested for all complaints and grievances involving an agent’s actions. |
10 |
% |
|||
7.F: The Company must
improve its complaint
handling controls and
establish strong
oversight of the
complaint handling
process by:
|
Standard 7.F.1 The Companies have prepared a report to regulators outlining their complaint-related business practice reforms. The report includes documentation to evidence and support the adequacy of such reforms. |
Pass/Fail |
||||
1.
Preparation of a report
to regulators which
outlines the
complaint-related
business practice
reforms the
Company has
implemented to
date |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 50
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||||
which address
the many concerns
expressed in
complaints.
Included with the
report should be
documentation to
evidence and
support the
adequacy of such
reforms. This
report can be used
by regulators in
developing a work
plan for a
follow-up
examination.
|
Standard 7.F.2 The Complaint Action Team (or successor committee) maintains a tracking log for identified issues. The Companies have established procedures to ensure that there is ownership and accountability and procedures to monitor and ensure appropriate follow-through. |
Pass/Fail |
||||
2. Creation
of a tracking log for
issues forwarded
to the Complaint
Action Team and
establishing a
procedure to
ensure that there
is ownership and
accountability for
the process. |
||||||
8. CANCELLATION, NON-RENEWAL AND DISCONTINUANCE NOTICES |
||||||
Cancellation,
non-renewal and
discontinuance notices
must be handled
consistently for all
policies and must comply
with policy provisions
and state laws. This
includes information
about the availability
of a grace period
provided to the insured
and other parties to the
contract.
|
Standard 8.1 Cancellation, non-renewal and discontinuance notices are handled consistently for all policies and payment methods. |
10 |
% |
|||
Standard 8.2 The Companies’ practices regarding cancellation, non-renewal and discontinuance notices are compliant with policy provisions and state laws. |
10 |
% |
||||
Standard 8.3 Notification about the availability of a grace period for payment of premiums is consistent across all certificate holders. |
10 |
% |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 51
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||
9. COMPLIANCE PROGRAM |
||||
The Company must
centralize the
compliance program to
promote consistency in
all business units. The
Company’s adherence to
its Compliance Plan and
compliance program
enhancements must be
independently evaluated
at periodic intervals
and should be
re-examined in the next
12 to 18 months. The
Company must inform
regulators on a timely
and periodic basis
concerning the program’s
enhancements and changes
to its compliance
procedures.
|
Standard 9.1 The Companies’ Chief Compliance Officer manages a team of professionals which is charged with the responsibility for providing compliance guidance to the managers, employees and agents of the Companies, including the following: • Research and communicate regarding new laws and
regulations, including mandates, applicable to the business of
the Companies;
• Participate as an advisor to the committees and work
groups throughout the Companies;
• Develop internal policies and procedures when
appropriate and maintain them as necessary to comply with
current regulatory requirements;
• Advise Senior Management regarding compliance risks The Compliance team will have oversight responsibilities for all compliance related activities throughout the Companies, including: |
|||
• Oversee a complaints unit to monitor timely and thorough
responses and follow through on common issues or trends; |
||||
• Oversee a special investigations unit regarding fraud,
waste, and abuse; |
||||
• Oversee market conduct examination activities; |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 52
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||
• Serve as Compliance liaison to external regulatory
bodies; and |
||||
• oversee advertising. |
||||
Standard 9.2 The Companies’ compliance program is judged by the Standards for Performance Measurement as set forth in this Attachment C and has been independently evaluated at periodic intervals. |
Pass/Fail |
|||
Standard 9.3 The Companies inform regulators concerning the program enhancements and changes to their compliance procedures via the semi-annual reports outlined in the Regulatory Settlement Agreement. |
Pass/Fail |
|||
10. SEPARATE FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PDA AND SDA |
||||
The Company should
prepare separate
financial information
of PDA and SDA on an
annual basis and have
it available to
domestic regulators
upon request.
|
Standard 10.1 Financial information for HealthMarkets’ wholly-owned subsidiaries Performance Driven Awards, Inc. (“PDA”) and Success Driven Awards, Inc. (“SDA”) is prepared, separate from the parent entity, and is available to domestic regulators upon request. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 53
Required Action | Standard | Tolerance | ||
11. ACCOUNTING SUPPORT FOR TREATMENT OF AGENTS’ STOCK BENEFIT MATCH |
||||
The Company should
provide to regulators
authoritative accounting
support for its
treatment of the agent’s
stock benefit match.
|
Standard 11.1 SDA and PDA, which are non-owned affiliates of the Companies, account for the stock matching benefit program. The accounting for the stock matching benefit paid to agents and field service representatives for the respective associations under the agent stock plan complies with generally accepted accounting principles. |
Pass/Fail |
||
12. PROVIDING REQUESTED COPY OF OUTSIDE CONSULTING REPORT |
||||
The Company must
provide a copy of the
consultant’s report or
an overview of the
report for review by
the regulators.
|
Standard 12.1 The Companies have provided the Examiners with an overview of the outside consultant’s report. |
Pass/Fail |
||
13. REPORT TO REGULATORS OUTLINING ALL CHANGES |
||||
The Company must prepare
a report to regulators
outlining precisely by
examination area all
business reforms,
improvements and changes
to policies and
procedures implemented
through current date.
|
Standard 13.1 The Companies have prepared the report to regulators outlining changes, as requested. |
Pass/Fail |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE
AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 54
ATTACHMENT D
Required Reports and Monitoring
1. Reports
The Companies will provide semi-annual reports to the Commissioner of Washington State. These
semi-annual reports will be in the format demonstrated in the attached table, based directly upon
the Standards for Performance Measurement specified in Attachment C to this Agreement. In the third
column of the reports, the Companies will state whether the standard set forth in the second column
is met or not met. In the fourth column, “Comments”, the Companies will provide the evidence
supporting the conclusion that the standard is met. Where applicable, the Companies will indicate
dates where criteria was met, such as dates training was provided to the agent force or new
materials were implemented, and provide verifying documentation upon request of the Monitoring
Regulators. If the standard is not met, the Companies will set forth in the fourth column the
status of their work toward meeting the standard. This information will include expected dates for
completion of remaining work toward meeting the standard.
The semi-annual reports will include attachments showing complete, jurisdiction-specific
summary results of all required monitoring. The results may be in the format in which they are
routinely used by the Companies, or another format as desired by the Companies, so long as the
format is understandable and useful to the Monitoring Regulators in evaluating the results. If a
majority of the Monitoring Regulators agree that the format in
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 55
which the monitoring results are presented is not understandable and useful, the Companies
will provide the results in a format which is mutually agreeable to the Companies and the
Monitoring Regulators.
2. Report Due Dates
The first report will be due the later of 90 days after the Effective Date of the Agreement or
August 14, 2008, whichever date is later, and will cover the period of January 1, 2008 through June
30, 2008. Thereafter, reports will be due as follows:
Period Covered | Due Date | |
July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
|
February 14, 2009 | |
January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009
|
August 14, 2009 | |
July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009
|
February 14, 2010 |
3. Report Format
The reports submitted to the Monitoring States on the schedule described in Section 2 will be
in table form and will include the following:
• | The Required Action as described and set forth in Attachment C of this Agreement. | ||
• | Each Performance Standard as set forth in Attachment C of this Agreement. | ||
• | The Tolerance Level as set forth in Attachment C of this Agreement. | ||
• | The Status of the each Performance Standard as set forth in Attachment C of this Agreement. |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 56
• | Company Comments about the current status of the Performance Standard as set forth in Attachment C of this Agreement. | ||
• | A list of the Evidence to support the Status of the Performance Standard as set forth in Attachment C of this Agreement. |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 57
ATTACHMENT E
Penalty for Failure to Perform
1. Definition: It is expected that the Companies will be in compliance with each of the
standards in the Standards for Performance Measurement (“SPM”) by the time of the follow-up
examination by the Monitoring Regulators set forth in Section G.4. of the Agreement. If, at that
time, the Monitoring Regulators find that the Companies have not fully met each of the standards
set forth in Attachment C, the Companies will pay the penalty to the Signatory Regulators as set
forth in Section E.2. of the Agreement as calculated on this Attachment E.
2. Calculation of Penalty: The total possible penalty for failure to perform is $10,000,000
(Ten Million Dollars). The amount of the total possible penalty that is to be imposed will be
calculated by the Monitoring Regulators based on the following table. Each section of the SPM has
been assigned a weighted percentage of the total possible penalty that may be imposed for failure
to meet the standards of that section. The weighted percentages are as follows:
Weighted Percentage of | ||||
Required Action | Penalty | |||
Agent Training |
25 | % | ||
Agent Oversight |
25 | % | ||
Claims Handling |
8 | % | ||
Claims Procedures Manual |
8 | % | ||
Identification of Company |
2 | % | ||
Transparent Relationships with Associations |
10 | % | ||
Complaints And Grievances |
10 | % | ||
Cancellation, Non — Renewal And Discontinuance Notices |
2 | % | ||
Compliance Program |
4 | % | ||
Separate Financial Information For PDA & SDA |
2 | % | ||
Accounting Support for Treatment of Agents’ Stock Benefit Match |
2 | % | ||
Providing Requested Copy of Outside Consulting Report |
1 | % | ||
Report to Regulators Outlining All Changes |
1 | % |
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 58
(a) Failure to meet all of the standards in a section will result in imposition of the entire
weighted percentage of the penalty for that section. For example, failure to meet all of the
standards in the Agent Training section of the SPM will result in imposition of 25% of the penalty,
or $2,500,000 (Two Million, Five-Hundred Thousand Dollars). The penalty will not be reduced even if
some of the standards in the applicable section of the SPM are met. If all standards in the section
are met, none of the penalty assigned to that section will be imposed. If one or more standards are
not met, all of the penalty assigned to that section will be imposed.
(b) The Monitoring Regulators will add all weighted percentages of penalty for each section of
the SPM, if any, that has not been fully met. This sum will be the total penalty for failure to
perform to be imposed. This sum will be payable to the Signatory Regulators by the Companies within
30 days after notification that the penalty for failure to perform is to be imposed.
3. Pro Rata State Allocation of Penalty: The Pro Rata State Allocation of Penalty for
Failure to Perform will be calculated in the same manner as the Pro Rata State Allocation of
Monetary Penalty. That calculation is set forth in Attachment B to the Agreement. This means
that each Signatory Regulator will receive the same percentage of any imposed Penalty for
Failure to Perform that it received of the Monetary Penalty.
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Page 59
PROPOSED ATTACHMENT F
XXXXXX NOTICE TO BE MAILED TO INSUREDS BY COMPANY
Date
Name
Address
Name
Address
Policy/Certificate Number(s)
Dear Named Insured:
Thank you for choosing The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company (MEGA) for your medical insurance
needs.
Have you ever had questions about your policy? Questions such as “Am I covered for doctor
visits?”, “Do I have coverage for emergency care?”, “Am I covered for hospital stays?” or “What is
my deductible?”
We have a new service that will help you better understand and get the most out of your coverage
with MEGA. We would like to answer any questions you may have regarding your coverage or, at your
request, explain your current coverage. We can also provide you with a copy of your
policy/certificate at your request.
A special customer service representative is ready to assist you from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (000) 000-0000.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (000) 000-0000.
You may also contact us by sending an email via xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.
If you believe you have additional coverage needs or if you believe your coverage needs have
changed, we will be happy to explain the variety of coverages MEGA has to offer in your state. You
will not be referred to or contacted by an insurance agent unless you specifically request to have
one contact you.
You are also encouraged to visit our website, xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx, for further information about
MEGA and our products and services.
We appreciate your business and welcome the continued opportunity to assist you with your medical
insurance needs.
Sincerely,
IN THE MATTER OF THE MARKET CONDUCT EXAMINATION OF THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY,
MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TENNESSEE, AND THE CHESAPEAKE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
REGULATORY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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