Compliance Updates

Virginia:

Quarterly appointment invoices were mailed on or about October 1, 2010. Invoice remittances are due November 10, 2010. Payments must match the Invoice ID amount. Underpayments and overpayments are not accepted. A revision has been made regarding the courtesy quarterly appointment invoice “reminder” notices. The Bureau of Insurance will no longer send a copy of the original invoice as the first and second “reminders.” Requests for a copy of the original invoice must be emailed to apptbillinginquiry@scc.virginia.gov Sections 38.2-1833 and 38.2-1834 of the Code of Virginia address appointments and penalty fees imposed for payments received after the November 10, 2010 due date.

North Dakota:

Pearson VUE, in cooperation with the North Dakota Insurance Department, has announced changes to both the State and National insurance pre-licensing education curriculum outlines. The announced revisions will be reflected on licensing examinations offered on and after January 1, 2011. Individuals preparing for an insurance licensing exam that will be administered on or after the announced implementation date are urged to ensure that their study materials reflect the most recent curriculum revisions. The new Licensing Information Bulletins will be available from Pearson VUE online at www.pearsonvue.com.

Idaho:

The Idaho Department of Insurance is sponsoring a free Producer Law Class 2010 at the Idaho Transportation Department – Auditorium, 3311 W. State St. in Boise on Wednesday, November 10th from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Topics addressed will include property/casualty insurance, life & health insurance, a legislative update, and what’s new at the Department. Participants in the free program will earn 3-continuing education credits. For seminar registration form and/or questions, contact Amy Lambrecht: amy.lambrecht@doi.idaho.gov

Oklahoma:

Oklahoma announced that its 2010 appointment renewal invoicing has begun. Companies will be able to view and obtain a list of their appointed producers and business entities via NIPR’s Company Appointment Reconciliation Report (CARR) between October 21 and November 16, 2010; or a Company may purchase a complete list of all active appointments via the Oklahoma Insurance Department website.

Texas:

An individual whose life, accident, and health license is issued or renewed by the Texas Department of Insurance (‘Department’) on or after April 1, 2010, may not perform an action constituting the act of an agent under the Texas Insurance Code with regard to a Medicare-related product until he or she has completed the Medicare-related products certification. To be eligible to receive a certification an individual must hold a general life, accident, and health license and complete training prescribed by Department rules applicable to Medicare-related products offered. The training must be at least eight hours in length applicable to Medicare-related products and approved by the Commissioner. To maintain the certification for Medicare-related products, an individual must complete, during each reporting period, at least four hours of department-certified Medicare-related products continuing education.