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Des Moines – Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen today issued a bulletin to all health insurers writing business in Iowa stating that Iowa will allow the extension of transitional health insurance policies for individuals and small groups to continue through calendar year 2019.  This decision follows an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) permitting these plans to continue.

“I am very concerned about the rate shock for these folks, especially the 38,000 remaining Iowans in the individual transitional pool.  If these Iowans were forced to join the collapsed individual ACA-compliant market, they would see rate increases between 100 – 400 percent,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said.  “Each year, these Iowans are given the choice during open enrollment to join the ACA market and each year these Iowans have chosen not to do so.  They like their plans and they have kept them.  I appreciate CMS continuing to give states flexibility in this regard as has been done each year since 2014, because without transitional plans as an option for these Iowans, most would likely join the up to 26,000 Iowans that have fled our ACA-compliant individual market this year.”

Transitional plans are health insurance coverage that was purchased after the ACA was passed but prior to the implementation of the Marketplace in 2014.  Transitional plans are closed blocks of business that do not allow new entrants to the risk pool.

Des Moines – The Iowa Insurance Division is soliciting comments from the public regarding rule-making related to Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs).  Senate File 2349 (SF 2349), which was signed by Governor Reynolds on Monday, April 2, 2018, requires these updates.

“MEWAs can provide Iowa employers a meaningful way to band together to provide health coverage for their employees, who might otherwise be priced out of Iowa’s collapsed ACA individual market,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said.  “I want to hear ideas from all Iowa individuals, businesses and other interested parties on this.  Those thoughts or ideas regarding MEWAs can help ensure the MEWA regulations provide a sensible and stable option for Iowans seeking health coverage.”

The Iowa Insurance Division will accept comments through Friday, April 27, 2018 at https://iid.iowa.gov/SF2349comment or via email at SF2349comment@iid.iowa.gov. Please include the commenting person’s name, organization and email address with the comments.

Des Moines - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced yesterday that, if permitted by applicable state authorities, health insurers can continue transitional policies through calendar year 2019.

Des Moines, Iowa --  Scott D. Leininger, age 40, formerly of Spencer, was charged in Clay County with Ongoing Criminal Conduct, a Class B Felony for his alleged role in committing fraud against Homesite Insurance Company following an insurance fraud investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The charges against Leininger stem from an investigation that began in April of 2017.   It is alleged that Leininger engaged in providing fictitious documents to his insurer in support of fraudulent insurance claims.

Des Moines – The Iowa Insurance Division released today the health insurance rate and form filing timelines for 2019.

Carriers will need to follow these instructions, which were finalized following a recent CMS announcement, for ACA-compliant plans (on and off the ACA marketplace), pre-ACA plans and stand-alone dental plans (SADPs).