SS 095-19 Notice of Preliminary Public Hearing

NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY PUBLIC HEARING

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance announces that it will hold a preliminary public hearing on an Emergency Statement of Scope for ss. INS 3.39 and 3.55, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to amending Medicare supplemental insurance regulations and reporting requirements. In accordance with s. 227.136, Stats., the Commissioner is seeking public input through the hearing and comment period regarding the content of the proposed rule as described in the Statement of Scope at the time and place shown below.

Hearing Information:

Date:   September 13, 2019

Time:   9:30 am

Location:   Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

125 S. Webster St., 2nd Floor Rm. 227

Madison, WI 53703

Accessibility:

Pursuant to the American with Disabilities Act reasonable accommodations including the provision of informational materials in an alternative format, will be provided for individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call Karyn Culver at [phone] with specific information on your request at least 5 days before the date of the hearing. There is also handicap access to the hearing location.

Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments:

Persons wishing to testify or provide oral or written comments regarding the Statement of Scope for the proposed administrative rule may appear during the hearing. Additionally comments may be submitted at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code, or https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Regulation/RulesCurrentlyPending.aspx.

For additional information please contact Julie E. Walsh at [phone] or email at [e-mail] in the OCI Legal Unit.

Deadline for submitting comments is September 20, 2019, by 4:00 pm.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:

The Statement of Scope for proposed rules will modify ss. Ins 3.39 and 3.55, Wis. Adm. Code, to and appendices in order to implement modifications delineated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Medicare Supplement Insurance Minimum Standards Model Act (NAIC Model Act) and to reflect changes in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The proposed rule will parallel sections to address the new MACRA provision that requires specific standards for Medicare supplement policies or certificates issued to individuals who are newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Insurers will need to produce, submit and create new forms for use by the companies and their authorized representatives. These forms are frequently published online reducing the on-going cost with the new and modified forms. The rule is unlikely to have a significant impact on small businesses as insurance intermediaries will have little to no cost access to the new policy forms.

Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:

The OCI small business coordinator is Kate Ludlum and she may be reached at [e-mail] or [phone].

This Notice of Preliminary Public Hearing

is approved on September 3, 2019.

_______________________________________

Nathan D. Houdek, Deputy Commissioner