N.M. Admin. Code § 13.10.15.20 - REQUIRED DISCLOSURE OF RATING PRACTICES TO CONSUMERS

A. This section shall apply as follows:

(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section applies to any long-term care policy or certificate issued in this state on or after January 1, 2004.

(2) For certificates issued on or after the effective date of this amended rule under a long-term care insurance policy as defined in Paragraph (1) of Subsection C of Section 59A-23A-4 NMSA 1978, which policy was in force at the time this amended rule became effective, the provisions of this section shall apply on the policy anniversary following July 1, 2004.

B. Other than policies for which no applicable premium rate or rate schedule increases can be made, insurers shall provide all of the information listed in this subsection to the applicant at the time of application or enrollment, unless the method of application does not allow for delivery at that time. In such a case, an insurer shall provide all of the information listed in this section to the applicant no later than at the time of delivery of the policy or certificate.

(1) A statement that the policy may be subject to rate increases in the future;

(2) An explanation of potential future premium rate revisions, and the policyholder's or the certificate holder's option in the event of a premium rate revision;

(3) The premium rate or rate schedules applicable to the applicant that will be in effect untill a request is made for an increase;

(4) A general explanation for applying premium rate or rate schedule adjustments that shall include:

(a) A description of when premium rate or rate schedule adjustments will be effective; and

(b) The right to a revised premium rate or rate schedule as provided in Paragraph (2) of this subsection if the premium rate or rate schedule is changed;

(5) Information regarding each premium rate increase on this form or similar policy forms over the past ten (10) years for this state that a minimum identifies:

(a) The policy forms for which premium rates have been increased;

(b) The calendar years when the form was available for purchase; and

(c) The amount or percent of each increase. The percentage may be expressed as a percentage of the premium rate prior to increase, and may also be expressed as minimum and maximum percentages if the rate increase is variable by rating characteristics.

(6) The insurer may, in a fair manner, provide additional explanatory information related to the rate increases.

(7) An insurer shall have the right to exclude form the disclosure premium rate increases that only apply to blocks of business acquired from other nonaffiliated insurers or the long-term care policies acquired form other nonaffiliated insurers when those increases occurred prior to the acquisition.

(8) If an acquiring insurer files for a rate increase on a long-term care policy form acquired from nonaffiliated insurers or a block of policy forms acquired from nonaffiliated insurers on or before the later of the effective date of this section or the end of a twenty-four (24) month period following the acquisition of the block or policies, the acquiring insurer may exclude the rate increase from the disclosure. However, the nonaffiliated selling company shall include the disclosure of that rate increase in accordance with paragraph (5) of this subsection.

(9) If the acquiring insurer in Paragraph (8) of this subsection files for a subsequent rate increase, even within the 24 month period, on the same policy form acquired from nonaffiliated insurers or block of policy forms acquired from nonaffiliated insurers referenced in Paragraph (8) of this subsection, the acquiring insurer must make all disclosure required by Paragraph (5) of this subsection, including disclosure of the earlier rate increase referenced in Paragraph (8) of this subsection.

C. An applicant shall sign an acknowledgement at the time of application, unless the method of application does not allow for signature at that time, that the insurer made the disclosure required under Subsection B of this section. If due to the method of application the applicant cannot sign an acknowledgement at the time of application, the applicant shall sign no later than at the time of delivery of the policy or certificate.

D. An insurer shall use the forms in 13.10.15.50 and 13.10.15.53 NMAC to comply with the requirements of this section.

E. An insurer shall provide notice of an upcoming premium rate schedule increase to all policyholders or certificate holders, if applicable, at least sixty (60) days prior to the implementation of the premium rate schedule increase by the insurer. The notice shall include the information required by Subsection B of this section when the rate increase is implemented.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 13.10.15.20

13.10.15.20 NMAC - N, 1-1-04