Premium Payment Flexibility

Accredited by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Consumer Hotline: 1-800-686-1526 Fraud Hotline: 1-800-686-1527 OSHIIP Hotline: 1-800-686-1578 TDD Line: (614) 644-3745 (Printed in house) Mike DeWine, Governor | Judith L. French, Director Jon Husted, Lt. Governor 50 West Town Street Third Floor – Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43215-4186 (614) 644-2658 www.insurance.ohio.gov ______________________________________________________________________________ BULLETIN 2021-03 PREMIUM PAYMENT FLEXIBILITY Effective June 18, 2021 _______________________________________________________ Bulletin 2021-02, also issued today, rescinded Bulletins 2020-03 (Health Insurance Coverage Flexibility for Ohio Employees) and 2020-12 (Property and Casualty, Life, and Long Term Care Insurance Premium Payments during State of Emergency). This bulletin replaces rescinded Bulletins 2020-03 and 2020-12. The purpose of this bulletin is to encourage “Insurers” to continue to provide flexibility to their insureds during the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Insurers” means any of the following if reimbursing the costs of health care services under a health benefit plan: health plan issuers, which includes but is not limited to, insurance companies, stop loss insurers, health insuring corporations, MEWAs, non-federal governmental health plans, and other entities that transact the business of insurance in the State of Ohio or that are otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Superintendent of Insurance. “Insurers” also includes all insurers providing property and casualty, life, and long term care insurance policies in the State of Ohio. The Superintendent recognizes that, even without the existence of an emergency order, some insured Ohioans may experience financial difficulty during the COVID-19 global pandemic and may have difficulty paying their insurance premiums timely. Accordingly, the Superintendent encourages Insurers to provide their insureds with a grace period to pay insurance premiums. Additionally, the Superintendent encourages Insurers to consider offering payment accommodations, such as allowing consumers to defer payments at no cost, extending payment due dates, or waiving late or reinstatement fees, where consumers are unable to make timely payments of premium or fees due to COVID- 19 related disruptions. The Superintendent will not take enforcement action with respect to filed forms and rates if Insurers adjust their policies and practices to provide the flexibility outlined by this bulletin. Superintendent of Insurance Judith L. French Director