New Rule Restores Health Insurance Market for Children

Oklahoma City – Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin on Monday gave her approval to an emergency rule intended to close an insurance gap created by federal health care reform.

For some 18 months, “child-only” policies for ages 19 and under have not been sold by any insurance company doing business in Oklahoma, a response by insurers to new federal regulations in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak said yesterday that Gov. Fallin’s signature should revive that market for the vast majority of uncovered children.

The revised emergency rule permits carriers to determine the age range in which they intend to offer coverage to all applicants during defined enrollment periods. Deputy Commissioner of Health and Life Insurance Mike Rhoads said insurers are expected to resume selling child-only policies for applicants ages 1 to 19.

A special enrollment period for coverage will take place in January and February 2012.

“I applaud Gov. Fallin’s decision to provide coverage options to as many Oklahoma children as possible,” Doak said. “I look forward to health insurers re-entering the Oklahoma child-only market during the new year.”

Doak noted that coverage has always remained available for children of all ages as part of family insurance plans, and that disadvantaged Oklahoma children were still covered by programs like SoonerCare. Child-only insurance is purchased by parents or guardians whose incomes don’t qualify for government programs and who cannot or choose not to buy private coverage for the whole family.

“For 18 months this specific type of coverage has been completely unavailable due to federal interference in the insurance market,” said Doak.

Life’s Turns Can Take Your Car Insurance In a Different Direction

John Doak
Insurance Commissioner

By John “Okie” Doak, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner

Financial challenges have forced many Oklahoma consumers to make lifestyle changes to adapt in the current economy. Sometimes those changes can inadvertently cost you – or save you money – on your car insurance.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that 53 percent of Americans have made economically driven life-changes in the past year that could impact the cost of their auto policy. A survey by NAIC found that the most common car choices consumers made:

Winter Weather: What to Do When Your Home or Car is Damaged

Following are some guidelines from Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland to help you deal with a property damage claim or automobile accident.

What to Do if Damage Occurs to Your Home

• Call your insurance company or agent with your policy number and other relevant information as soon as possible. Cooperate fully with the insurance company, and ask what documents, forms and data you will need.
• Take photographs/video of the damage.
• Make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (i.e., cover broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls). Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs.
• Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy.
• If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, ask your insurance company if you have coverage for additional living expenses incurred while repairs are being made. Save all receipts to document these costs.
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