Commissioner Spotlight: Puerto Rico Commissioner Alexander S. Adams Vega

In the latest entry in our Commissioner Spotlight series, we are focusing on the head of the Puerto Rico Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner Alexander S. Adams Vega. Commissioner Adams has been serving in the Puerto Rico Office of the Commissioner of Insurance for more than 10 years, first as a legal adviser and …

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Bill Introduced to Remove Agents from Burdensome Medicare Rule

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) last week introduced S. 5149, a bill to remove agents from a definition that would result in burdensome requirements for agents enrolling consumers into Medicare. PIA supports this legislation. The bill seeks to reverse the harmful Medicare rule that could discourage licensed agents and brokers from representing Medicare Advantage and Part …

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Busy Lame Duck Session Ahead in Congress

Now that the midterm election results are in, and the majority parties of both the Senate and House for the next Congress are known, Congress has returned for a lame-duck session with a long to-do list before the 117th Congress ends on January 3, 2023.    PIA is engaged with Congress on several issues in …

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PIA Action Alert: Tell Congress to Protect Medicare Recipients’ Access to Licensed Agents

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized its updated Medicare Program: Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs. The rule made significant changes to existing marketing requirements for both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. PIA, along with other agent groups, …

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Agent Groups Oppose New Medicare Rule

PIA, along with other agent groups, including the National Association of Health Underwriters, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to its “Medicare Program: Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs,” which was finalized in May. The rule …

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NAIC Spring Meeting Update

Recently the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held its Spring National Meeting in the city in which it is headquartered: Kansas City, Missouri. PIA was represented at both the Board of Directors meeting of the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and elsewhere during the NAIC meeting. During the NIPR meeting, the Board took advantage …

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No Surprises Act: Disclosure Requirement Update

The “No Surprises” Act was passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 last year, and it was meant to reduce the effect and frequency of surprise medical bills on people with health insurance. No Surprises targets a variety of billing issues, including the direct and indirect compensation of agents/brokers involved in the …

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Regulatory Requirements for Agents in “No Surprises”

Medical insurance claim form with stethoscope and surgical face mask. There are also other pieces of paperwork on the desk, including a patient form. The No Surprises Act, which was passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, was designed to reduce the effect and frequency of surprise medical bills on health …

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Congress Begins to Address COVID-19 Pandemic

With the country collectively bracing for the increasing impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) global pandemic, Congress has begun to respond to the crisis. On Tuesday, March 16, the U.S. House passed by unanimous consent a revised version of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) that includes provisions meant to ensure people, including those …

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House Passes PIA Top Priority, Repeal of Cadillac Tax

The Middle-Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 748) was passed by the House on July 17 by a vote of 419-6. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Mike Kelly (R-PA), would repeal the provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) often referred to as the “Cadillac tax,” which would impose a …

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