(1) FINDINGS. The
findings under s.
Ins
3.455(1) are incorporated by
reference. The commissioner finds that the adoption of minimum standards,
compensation restrictions and disclosure requirements for long-term care and
life insurance-long-term care coverage will reduce marketing abuses and will
assist consumers in their attempts to understand the benefits offered and to
compare different products. The commissioner finds that failure to comply with
this section is misleading and deceptive under s.
628.34(12),
Stats., and constitutes an unfair trade practice.
(2) APPLICABILITY.
(b) This section, except for sub. (10) (b) to
(e), does not apply to an individual long-term care policy or life
insurance-long-term care coverage, to a group long-term care policy or life
insurance-long-term care coverage or a certificate under the group policy, or
to a renewal policy or coverage or certificate, if:
1. The individual long-term care policy or
life insurance-long-term care coverage was issued prior to June 1, 1991;
or
2. The group policy is issued
prior to June 1, 1991 and all certificates under the policy are issued prior to
June 1, 1991.
(c)
Section in effect prior to June 1, 1991 and sub. (10) (b) to (e) apply to those
policies, coverages or certificates which qualify for exemption under par.
(b).
(d) This section does not
apply to an accelerated benefit coverage of a life insurance policy, rider or
endorsement that:
1. Provides payments on the
occurrence of a severe illness or injury without regard to the incurral of
expenses for services relating to the illness or injury; and
2. Is not sold primarily for the purpose of
providing coverage of nursing home or home health care, or both.
(3) DEFINITIONS. In
this section:
(a) "Assisted living facility"
or "assisted living care facility" means a living arrangement in which people
with special needs reside in a facility that provides supportive services to
persons unable to live independently and requires supportive services,
including, but not limited to, personal care and assistance taking medications,
and that is in compliance with ch. DHS 89.
(b) "Cognitive impairment" means a deficiency
in a person's short-term or long-term memory, orientation as to person, place
and time, deductive or abstract reasoning, or judgment as it relates to safety
awareness.
(c) "Compensation" means
remuneration of any kind, including, but not limited to, pecuniary or
non-pecuniary remuneration, commissions, bonuses, gifts, prizes, awards,
finder's fees, and policy fees.
(d)
"Department" means the Wisconsin department of health services.
(e) "Group long-term care insurance" means a
long-term care insurance policy that is delivered or issued for delivery in
this state and issued to one or more employers or labor organizations or to a
trust or to the trustees of a fund established by one or more employers or
labor organizations, or both, for employees or former employees, or both, or
for members or former members, or both, of the labor organizations; or a
professional, trade or occupational association for its members or former or
retired members, or both, if the association is composed of individuals all of
whom are or were actively engaged in the same profession, trade or occupation
and has been maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining
insurance or an association or a trust or the trustees of a fund established,
created or maintained for the benefit of members of one or more associations.
Prior to advertising, marketing or offering the policy within this state the
association or the insurer of the association shall demonstrate that at least
25% of its members are residents of this state.
(f) "Guaranteed renewable for life" means an
individual policy renewal provision that continues the insurance in force
unless the premium is not paid on time, that prohibits the insurer from
changing any provision of the policy, endorsement or rider while the insurance
is in force without the express consent of the insured, and that requires the
insurer to renew the policy, endorsement or rider for the life of the insured
and to maintain the rates in effect for the policy, endorsement or rider at
time of issuance, except the provision may permit the insurer to revise rates
but on a class basis only.
(g)
"Guide to long-term care" means the booklet prescribed by the commissioner
which provides information on long-term care, including insurance, and advice
to consumers on the purchase of long-term care insurance.
(h) "Home health care services" means medical
and non-medical services, provided to ill, disabled or infirm persons in their
residences. Such services may include homemaker services, assistance with
activities of daily living and respite care services.
(i) "Irreversible dementia" means
deterioration or loss of intellectual faculties, reasoning power, memory, and
will due to organic brain disease characterized by confusion, disorientation,
apathy or stupor of varying degrees that is not capable of being reversed and
from which recovery is impossible. Irreversible dementia includes, but is not
limited to, Alzheimer's disease.
(j) "Life insurance-long-term care coverage"
means coverage that includes all of the following:
1. Provides coverage for convalescent or
custodial care or care for a chronic condition or terminal illness.
2. Is included in a life insurance policy or
an endorsement or rider to a life insurance policy.
(k) "Long-term care insurance" means any
insurance policy or rider advertised, marketed, offered or designed to provide
coverage for not less than 12 consecutive months for each covered person on an
expense incurred, indemnity, prepaid or other basis; for one or more necessary
or medically necessary diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative,
maintenance or personal care services, provided in a setting other than an
acute care unit of a hospital. The term includes group and individual annuities
and life insurance policies or riders that provide directly or supplement
long-term care insurance. The term also includes a policy or rider that
provides for payment of benefits based upon cognitive impairment or the loss of
functional capacity. The term includes qualifying partnership policies.
Long-term care insurance may be issued by insurers; fraternal benefit
societies; nonprofit health, hospital, and medical service corporations;
prepaid health plans; health maintenance organizations or any similar
organization to the extent they are otherwise authorized to issue life or
health insurance. Long-term care insurance does not include an insurance policy
that is offered primarily to provide basic Medicare supplement coverage. With
regard to life insurance, this term does not include life insurance policies
that accelerate the death benefit specifically for one or more of the
qualifying events of terminal illness, medical conditions requiring
extraordinary medical intervention or permanent institutional confinement, and
that provide the option of a lump-sum payment for those benefits and where
neither the benefits nor the eligibility for the benefits is conditioned upon
the receipt of long-term care. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, any product advertised, marketed or offered as long-term care
insurance shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(L) "Long-term care insurance policy
qualifying for the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program" or
"qualifying partnership policy" means a long-term care insurance policy that is
intended to qualify an insured under the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Insurance
Partnership Program, as defined at s.
49.45(31)
(a), Stats.
(m) "Long-term care policy" means a
disability insurance policy, or an endorsement or rider to a disability
insurance policy, designed or intended primarily to be marketed to provide
coverage for care that is convalescent or custodial care or care for a chronic
condition or terminal illness. Long-term care policy includes, but is not
limited to, a nursing home policy, endorsement or rider and a home health care
policy, endorsement or rider. The term does not include any of the following:
1. A Medicare supplement policy, Medicare
replacement policy, or an endorsement or rider to such a policy.
2. A continuing care contract, as defined in
s.
647.01(2),
Stats.
3. A rider designed
specifically to meet the requirements for coverage of skilled nursing care
under s.
632.895(3),
Stats.
4. Life insurance-long-term
care coverage.
(n)
"Medicaid" means the federal and state entitlement program that pays for
medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and
resources established by Title XIX, to . The federal government provides
matching funds to the state Medicaid programs.
(o) "Medicare" means the hospital and medical
insurance program established by Title XVIII, to , as amended.
(p) "Medicare eligible persons" means persons
who qualify for Medicare.
(q)
"Mental or nervous disorder" may not be defined to include more than neurosis,
psychoneurosis, psychopathy, psychosis, or mental or emotional disease or
disorder.
(r) "Noncancellable"
means an individual policy in which the insured has the right to continue the
insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums during which period the
insurer has no right to unilaterally make any change in any provision of the
insurance or in the premium rate.
(s) "Outline of coverage" means a document
that gives a brief description of benefits in the format prescribed in Appendix
1 to this section and which complies with sub. (8).
(t) "Personal care" means the provision of
hands-on services to assist an individual with activities of daily
living.
(u) "Qualified long-term
care services" means services that meet the requirements of section (c)(1) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the following:
1. Necessary diagnostic, preventive,
therapeutic, curative, treatment, mitigation and rehabilitative
services.
2. Maintenance or
personal care services that are required by a chronically ill
individual.
3. Services that are
provided pursuant to a plan of care prescribed by a licensed health care
practitioner.
(v)
"Skilled nursing care," "personal care," "home care," "specialized care,"
"assisted living care," and other services shall be defined in relation to the
level of skill required, the nature of the care and the setting in which care
shall be delivered.
(x) "Wisconsin
Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program" or "state partnership program"
means the program developed by the department to meet the requirements of s.
49.45(31),
Stats.
(4) GENERAL FORM
REQUIREMENTS FOR LONG-TERM CARE, NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES AND
LIFE INSURANCE-LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE. Forms for a long-term care policy, life
insurance-long-term care coverage and certificates shall:
(a) Provide coverage for each person insured
for convalescent and custodial care and care for chronic conditions and
terminal illness.
(b) Establish
fixed daily benefit limits only if the highest limit is not less than $60 per
day. This fixed daily benefit applies to the total long-term care insurance in
force for any one insured.
(c)
Establish a fixed daily benefit limit based on the level of the covered care
only if the lowest limit of daily benefits provided for under the policy or
coverage is not less than 50% of the highest limit of daily benefits and the
following when applicable:
1. If the policy
provides for home health or community care services, it shall provide total
home health or community care coverage that is a dollar amount equivalent to at
least one-half of one year's coverage available for nursing home benefits under
the policy or certificate, at the time covered home health or community care
services are being received. This requirement may not apply to policies or
certificates issued to residents of continuing care retirement
communities.
2. Home health care
coverage may be applied to the non-home health care benefits provided in the
policy or certificate when determining maximum coverage under the terms of the
policy or certificate.
(d) Provide for an elimination period only
if:
1. It is expressed in a number of days per
lifetime or per period of confinement;
2. It is clearly disclosed;
3. Days for which Medicare provides coverage
are counted for the purpose of determining expiration of the elimination
period; and
4. It does not exceed
365 days.
(e) Provide
for a lifetime maximum limit only if the limit provides not less than 365 days
of coverage. Only days of coverage under the policy, coverage or certificate
may be applied against a lifetime maximum limit. Coverage by Medicare may not
be applied against a lifetime maximum limit.
(f) Clearly disclose that it does not cover
duplicate payments by Medicare for nursing home care or home health care if it
has either exclusion.
(g) Provide
coverage regardless of whether care is medically necessary. Coverage shall be
triggered in conformance with the provisions contained in subs. (17) and
(18).
(h) Not limit or condition
coverage or benefits by requiring prior hospitalization or prior receipt of
care, or benefits for care, in an institutional setting.
(i) Cover irreversible dementia. Coverage may
not be excluded or limited on the basis of irreversible dementia.
(j) Define terms used to describe covered
services, including, but not limited to, "skilled nursing care," extended care
facility," "convalescent nursing home," "personal care," or "home care"
services, if those terms are used, in relation to the services and facilities
required to be available and the licensure, certification, registration or
degree status of those providing or supervising the services. When the
definition requires that the provider be appropriately licensed, certified or
registered, it shall also state what requirements a provider shall meet in lieu
of licensure, certification or registration when the state in which the service
is to be furnished does not require a provider of these services to be
licensed, certified or registered, or when the state licenses, certifies or
registers the providers of services under another name.
(k) All providers of services, including, but
not limited to, "skilled nursing facility," "extended care facility,"
"convalescent nursing home," "personal care facility," "specialized care
providers," "assisted living," and "home care agency," shall be defined in
relation to the services and facilities required to be available and the
licensure, certification, registration or degree status of those providing or
supervising the services in the state where the policy was issued. When the
definition requires that a provider be appropriately licensed, certified or
registered, it shall also state what requirements a provider shall meet in lieu
of licensure, certification or registration when the state in which the service
is to be furnished does not require a provider of such services to be licensed,
certified or registered, or if the state licenses, certifies or registers the
provider of services under another name.
(m) Not exclude or limit coverage by type of
illness, treatment, medical condition or accident, except it may include
exclusions or limits for any of the following:
1. Preexisting conditions or diseases. If a
long-term care insurance policy or certificate contains any limitations with
respect to preexisting conditions, the limitations shall appear as a separate
paragraph of the policy and shall be labeled as "Preexisting Condition
Limitations."
2. Illness, treatment
or medical condition arising out of any one or more of the following:
a. Treatment provided in a government
facility, unless otherwise required by law.
b. Services for which benefits are available
under Medicare or other governmental programs, except Medicaid, or under a
state or federal worker's compensation, employer's liability, occupational
disease law, or any motor vehicle no-fault law.
c. Services provided by a member of the
insured's immediate family or for which no charge is normally made in the
absence of insurance.
d. War or act
of war, whether declared or undeclared.
e. Participation in a felony, riot or
insurrection.
f. Service in the
armed forces or its auxiliary units.
g. Suicide, sane or insane, attempted suicide
or intentionally self-inflicted injury.
h. Aviation, however, this exclusion applies
only to non-fare-paying passengers.
3. Mental or nervous disorders; however, this
may not permit exclusion or limitation of benefits on the basis of Alzheimer's
Disease.
4. Alcoholism or drug
addiction.
5. Expenses for services
or items available or paid under another long-term care insurance or health
insurance policy.
6. This paragraph
is not intended to prohibit exclusions or limitation by type of provider. In
this subdivision, "state of policy issue" means the state in which the
individual policy or certificate was originally issued. However, no long-term
care insurer may deny a claim because services are provided in a state other
than the state of policy issue when either of the following conditions occurs:
a. When a state other than the state of
policy issue does not have the provider licensing, certification, or
registration required in the policy, but where the provider satisfies the
policy requirements outlined for providers in lieu of licensure, certification
or registration.
b. When a state
other than the state of policy issue licenses, certifies or registers the
provider under another name.
7. This paragraph is not intended to prohibit
territorial limitations.
8. If
payment of benefits is based on standards described as "usual and customary,"
"reasonable and customary" or words of similar import shall include a
definition of these terms and include an explanation of the terms in its
accompanying outline of coverage and comply with s.
Ins
3.60(5).
9. In the case of a qualified long-term care
insurance contract, expenses for services or items to the extent that the
expenses are reimbursable under Medicare or would be so reimbursable but for
the application of a deductible or coinsurance amount.
10. Subject to the policy provisions, any
plan of care required under the policy shall be provided by a licensed health
care practitioner and does not require insurer approval. The insurer may
provide a predetermination of benefits payable pursuant to the plan of care.
This does not prevent the insurer from having discussions with the licensed
health care practitioner to amend the plan of care. The insurer may also retain
the right to verify that the plan of care is appropriate and consistent with
generally accepted standards.
11. A
long-term care policy containing post-confinement, post-acute care, or
recuperative benefits shall include in a separate policy provision entitled
"Limitation or Conditions on Eligibility for Benefits," the limitations or
conditions applicable to these benefits, including any required number of days
of confinement.
(n) Not
exclude or limit any coverage of care provided in a community-based setting,
including, but not limited to, coverage of home health care, by any of the
following:
1. Requiring that care be medically
necessary.
2. Requiring that the
insured or claimant first or simultaneously receive nursing or therapeutic
services before community-based care is covered.
3. Limiting eligible services to services
provided by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
4. Requiring that the insured have an acute
condition before community-based care is covered.
5. Limiting benefits to services provided by
Medicare certified agencies or providers.
(o) Provide substantial scope of coverage of
facilities for any benefits it provides for care in an institutional
setting.
(p) Provide substantial
scope of coverage of facilities and programs for any benefits it provides for
care in a community-based setting.
(q) Contain a description of the benefit
appeal procedure and comply with s.
632.84,
Stats.
(r) If coverage of care in a
community-based setting is included, provide coverage of all types of care
provided by state licensed or Medicare certified home health care agencies. A
long-term care insurance policy may not, if it provides benefits for home
health care or community care services limit or exclude benefits by any of the
following acts:
1. Requiring that the insured
or claimant would need care in a skilled nursing facility if home health care
services were not provided.
2.
Requiring that the insured or claimant first or simultaneously receive nursing
or therapeutic services, or both, in a home, community or institutional setting
before home health care services is covered.
3. Requiring that a nurse or therapist
provide services covered by the policy that can be provided by a home health
aide or other licensed or certified home care worker acting within the scope of
his or her licensure or certification.
4. Excluding coverage for personal care
services provided by a home health aide.
5. Requiring that the provision of home
health care services be at a level of certification or licensure greater than
that required by the eligible service.
6. Requiring that the insured or claimant
have an acute condition before home health care services are covered.
7. Limiting benefits to services provided by
Medicare-certified agencies or providers.
8. Excluding coverage for adult day care
services.
(s) If
coverage of care in an institutional setting is provided, not condition
eligibility for coverage of custodial or intermediate care on the concurrent or
prior receipt of intermediate or skilled care.
(t) Include a provision which allows for
reinstatement of coverage, in the event of lapse, if the insurer is provided
proof of cognitive impairment or the loss of functional capacity and if the
reinstatement of coverage is requested within 5 months after termination and
provision is made for the collection of past due premiums, where appropriate.
The standard of proof of cognitive impairment or loss of functional capacity to
be used in evaluating an application for reinstatement may not be more
stringent than the benefit eligibility criteria on cognitive impairment or the
loss of functional capacity, if any, contained in the policy and
certificate.
(u) Require a signed
acceptance by the individual insured for all riders or endorsements added to an
individual long-term care insurance policy after the date of issue or at
reinstatement or renewal that reduce or eliminate benefits or coverage in the
policy, except for riders or endorsements by which the insurer effectuates a
request made in writing by the insured under an individual long-term care
insurance policy. After the date of issue, any rider or endorsement that
increases benefits or coverage with a concomitant increase in premium during
the policy term must be agreed to in writing signed by the insured, except if
the increased benefits or coverage are required by law. Where a separate
additional premium is charged for benefits provided in connection with riders
or endorsements, the premium charge shall be set forth in the policy, rider, or
endorsement.
(5) FORM
REQUIREMENTS FOR LONG-TERM CARE, NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES
ONLY.
(a) This subsection and ss.
Ins
3.13(2) (j) and
3.39(9) (a) and ss.
632.76
and
632.897,
Stats., do not apply to life insurance-long-term care coverage.
(b) A form for long-term care policy or
certificate shall:
1. Comply with the
restrictions on preexisting condition provisions under s.
632.76,
Stats.
2. Include the unrestricted
right to return the policy or certificate within 30 days of the date it is
received by the policyholder and comply with s.
632.73(2m),
Stats.
3. If it is a policy or
certificate which covers care in both institutional and community-based
settings, contain a caption as follows:
THE WISCONSIN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER HAS ESTABLISHED MINIMUM
STANDARDS FOR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE.
THIS POLICY MEETS THOSE STANDARDS. THIS POLICY COVERS CERTAIN
TYPES OF NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THERE MAY BE LIMITATIONS
ON THE SERVICES COVERED. READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LONG-TERM CARE SEE THE "GUIDE TO
LONG-TERM CARE" GIVEN TO YOU WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR THIS POLICY. THIS POLICY'S
BENEFITS ARE NOT RELATED TO MEDICARE.
4. If it is a policy or certificate which
covers care only in an institutional setting, contain a caption as
follows:
THE WISCONSIN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER HAS ESTABLISHED MINIMUM
STANDARDS FOR NURSING HOME INSURANCE. THIS POLICY MEETS THOSE STANDARDS.
THIS POLICY COVERS CERTAIN TYPES OF NURSING HOME CARE. THIS
POLICY DOES NOT COVER HOME HEALTH CARE. THERE MAY BE LIMITATIONS ON THE
SERVICES COVERED. READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LONG-TERM CARE SEE THE "GUIDE TO
LONG-TERM CARE" GIVEN TO YOU WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR THIS POLICY. THIS POLICY'S
BENEFITS ARE NOT RELATED TO MEDICARE.
5. If it is a policy or certificate which
covers care in a community setting only, contain a caption as
follows:
THE WISCONSIN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER HAS ESTABLISHED MINIMUM
STANDARDS FOR HOME HEALTH CARE INSURANCE. THIS POLICY MEETS THOSE
STANDARDS.
THIS POLICY COVERS CERTAIN TYPES OF HOME HEALTH CARE. THIS
POLICY DOES NOT COVER NURSING HOME CARE. THERE MAY BE LIMITATIONS ON THE
SERVICES COVERED. READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LONG-TERM CARE SEE THE "GUIDE TO
LONG-TERM CARE" GIVEN TO YOU WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR THIS POLICY. THIS POLICY'S
BENEFITS ARE NOT RELATED TO MEDICARE.
6. Contain the caption required under subd.
3., 4. or 5. imprinted on the face of the policy or certificate in type not
smaller than 18-point and either in contrasting color from the text or with a
distinctly contrasting background which is at least as prominent as contrasting
color.
7. Include an extension of
benefits provision which provides that if the policy is terminated for any
reason, including, but not limited to, failure to pay premium, any benefits
provided for care in an institutional setting will continue to be payable for
institutionalization if the institutionalization begins when the policy is in
force and continues without interruption after termination. This extension of
benefits may be limited to the duration of the benefit period, if any, or to
payment of the maximum benefits and may be subject to any policy elimination
period and all other applicable provisions of the policy.
8. If it is an individual policy, be plainly
printed in black or blue ink in a uniform type of a style in general use with
not less than 10-point with a lower case unspaced alphabet length not less than
120-point. If it is a group policy, certificates issued under the policy shall
be plainly printed in black or blue ink in a uniform type of a style in general
use, not less than 10-point with a lower case unspaced alphabet length not less
than 120-point.
9. If it is an
individual policy, include a provision which provides that the policy is
guaranteed renewable for life or noncancellable, then such provision shall be
appropriately captioned and shall appear on the first page of the policy and
shall include any reservation by the insurer of the right to change premiums
and any automatic renewal premium increase based on the policyholder's age.
(6) NURSING
HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FORMS MAY NOT USE THE TERM "LONG-TERM CARE".
Only a form for a long-term care policy, life insurance-long-term care coverage
or certificate which provides substantial coverage of care in both an
institutional setting and in a community-based setting may use the term
"long-term care" or a substantially similar term.
(7) MISREPRESENTATIONS PROHIBITED.
(a) No insurer or intermediary may use the
term "long-term care" or similar terminology in an advertisement or offer of a
policy, coverage or certificate unless the policy, coverage or certificate
advertised or offered:
1. Covers care in both
institutional and community-based settings;
2. Complies with this section; and
3. Is approved as a long-term care policy or
certificate covering care in both institutional and community settings and as
appropriately using the term "long-term care" by the office.
(b) No insurer may file a form
under s.
631.20,
Stats., for a long-term care policy, life insurance-long-term care coverage or
certificate, unless the form complies with this section.
(8) OUTLINE OF COVERAGE.
(a) An outline of coverage for a long-term
care policy, life insurance-long-term care coverage or certificate shall:
1. Have captions printed in 18-point bold
letters and conspicuously placed;
2. Be printed in an easy to read type and
written in easily understood language; and
(b) No insurer or intermediary may
use an outline of coverage to comply with sub. (9) or advertise, market or
offer a long-term care policy, life insurance-long-term care coverage or
certificate, unless prior to the use, advertising, marketing or offer the
outline of coverage is approved in writing by the office.
(c) Display prominently by type, stamp or
other appropriate means, on the first page of the outline of coverage and
policy all of the following:
1. "Notice to
Buyer: This policy may not cover all of the costs associated with long-term
care incurred by the buyer during the period of coverage. The buyer is advised
to review carefully all policy limitations."
2. A statement of the terms under which the
policy or certificate, or both, may be continued in force or discontinued,
including any reservation by the insurer of the right to change premium.
Continuation or conversion provisions of group coverage shall be specifically
described.
(d) This par.
does not apply to a group that is offered coverage as a result of collective
bargaining and has guaranteed issue.
(9) DISCLOSURE WHEN SOLICITING.
(a) An insurer or intermediary at the time
the insurer or intermediary contacts a person to solicit the sale of a
long-term care policy, life insurance-long-term care coverage or certificate
shall deliver to the person:
1. A copy of the
current edition of the guide to long-term care; and
2. An outline of coverage.
(b) Other than a policy for which
no applicable premium rate or rate schedule increases can be made, an insurer
shall provide all of the following information to the applicant at the time of
application or enrollment:
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 certificateholder'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 until a request is made for
an increase.
4. A general
explanation for applying premium rate or rate schedule adjustments that shall
include a description of when premium rate or rate schedule adjustments will be
effective, such as next anniversary date, or next billing date, and the right
to a revised premium rate or rate schedule as provided in subd. 2. if the
premium rate or rate schedule is changed.
5. Information regarding each premium rate
increase on this policy form or similar policy forms over the past 10 years for
this state or any other state that, at a minimum, identifies the policy forms
for which premium rates have been increased; the calendar years when the form
was available for purchase; and the amount or percentage of each increase. The
percentage may be expressed as a percentage of the premium rate prior to the
increase, and may also be expressed as minimum and maximum percentages if the
rate increase is variable by rating characteristics.
(c) The insurer may as part of the disclosure
under par. (b) in a fair manner, provide additional explanatory information
related to the rate increases.
(d)
For purposes of the disclosure requirement under par. (b), an insurer shall
have the right to exclude from the disclosure premium rate increases that only
apply to blocks of business acquired from other nonaffiliated insurers or the
long-term care policies acquired from other nonaffiliated insurers when those
increases occurred prior to the acquisition.
(e) For purposes of the disclosure
requirement under par. (b), 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 subsection or the end of a 24 month period following
the acquisition of the block or policies, the acquiring insurer may exclude
that rate increase from the disclosure. However, the nonaffiliated selling
insurer shall include the disclosure of that rate increase.
(f) For purposes of the disclosure
requirement under par. (b), if the acquiring insurer 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, the acquiring insurer must make all disclosures
required, including disclosure of the earlier rate increase.
(g) An applicant shall sign an
acknowledgement at the time of application that the insurer made the disclosure
required under par. (b) 1. and 5.
(h) An insurer shall use the forms in
Appendices 1, 2 and 5 to comply with the requirements of pars. (b), (g) and
(i).
(i) An insurer shall provide
notice of an upcoming premium rate schedule increase to all policyholders or
certificateholders, if applicable, at least 60 days prior to the implementation
of the premium rate schedule increase by the insurer. The notice shall include
the information required by par. (b) when the rate increase is
implemented.
(j) This subsection
shall apply as follows:
1. Except as provided
in subd. 2., this subsection applies to any long-term care, nursing home or
home health care policy or certificate issued in this state on or after January
1, 2002.
2. For group long-term
care insurance certificates issued to employer-sponsored groups or labor
organizations in this state and in force on or after January 1, 2002 the
provisions of this subsection shall apply on the first policy anniversary
occurring at least 12 months after January 1, 2002.
(k) An insurer shall provide copies of the
disclosure forms required in Appendices 2 and 5 to the applicant.
(L)
1. In
the case of a group insurance policy defined in s.
600.03(23),
Stats., any requirement that a signature of an insured be obtained by an
intermediary or insurer shall be deemed satisfied if all of the following are
met:
a. The consent is obtained by telephonic
or electronic enrollment by the group policyholder or insurer. Verification of
enrollment and enrollment information shall be provided to the enrollee in
writing.
b. The telephonic or
electronic enrollment provides necessary and reasonable safeguards to assure
the accuracy, retention and prompt retrieval of records.
c. The telephonic or electronic enrollment
provides necessary and reasonable safeguards to assure that the confidentiality
of individually identifiable information and personal medical information is
maintained.
2. The
insurer shall make available, upon request of the commissioner, records that
will demonstrate the insurer's ability to confirm enrollment and coverage
amounts.
3. This par. does not
apply to a group that is offered coverage as a result of collective bargaining
and has guaranteed issue.
(m) With regard to life insurance policies
that provide an accelerated benefit for long-term care, a disclosure statement
is required at the time of application for the policy or rider and at the time
the accelerated benefit payment request is submitted that receipt of these
accelerated benefits may be taxable, and that assistance should be sought from
a personal tax advisor. The disclosure statement shall be prominently displayed
on the first page of the policy or rider and any other related documents. This
paragraph may not apply to qualified long-term care insurance
contracts.
(10)
UNDERWRITING.
(a) No insurer may issue a
long-term care policy, life insurance-long-term care coverage or a certificate
to an applicant 75 years of age or older, unless prior to issuing coverage the
insurer obtains one of the following:
1. A
copy of a physical examination.
2.
An assessment of functional capacity.
3. An attending physician's
statement.
4. Copies of medical
records.
(b) An insurer
selling or issuing long-term care policies or life insurance-long-term care
coverage shall maintain a record of all policies, coverage or certificate
rescissions or reformations, including voluntary rescissions or reformations,
categorized by policies, coverages and certificates within this state and
nationwide.
(c) An insurer subject
to par. (b) shall file a report with the office regarding rescissions and
reformations not later than March 1 each year on the form prescribed by the
commissioner.
(d) An insurer shall
maintain a record of its claims administration guidelines for processing claims
under long-term care policies and life insurance-long-term care coverage and
shall provide the record to the office on request.
(e) Sections and 3.31 apply to long-term care
policies.
(f) All applications for
long-term care insurance policies or certificates, except those that are
guaranteed issue, shall contain clear and unambiguous questions designed to
ascertain the health condition of the applicant and shall comply with all of
the following when applicable:
1. If the
application contains a question that asks whether the applicant has had
medication prescribed by a physician, it shall also ask the applicant to list
the medication that has been prescribed.
2. If the medications listed in the
application were known by the insurer, or should have been known at the time of
application, to be directly related to a medical condition for which coverage
would otherwise be denied, then the insurer may not rescind the policy or
certificate for that condition.
(g) The following language shall be set out
in bold font and in a conspicuous location that is in close conjunction with
the applicant's signature block on an application for a long-term care
insurance policy or certificate:
"Caution: If your answers on this application are incorrect or
untrue, [insurer's name] has the right to deny benefits or rescind your
policy."
(h) The following
language, or language substantially similar to the following, shall be set out
in bold font and in a conspicuous location on the long-term care insurance
policy or certificate at the time of delivery:
"Caution: The issuance of this long-term care insurance [policy
or certificate] is based upon your responses to the questions on your
[application or enrollment form]. A copy of your [application or enrollment
form] [is enclosed] [was retained by you when you applied]. If your answers are
incorrect or untrue, [the insurer] has the right to deny benefits or rescind
your policy. The best time to clear up any questions is now, before a claim
arises! If, for any reason, any of your answers were incorrect, contact [the
insurer] at this address: [insert address].
(i) A copy of the completed application or
enrollment form shall be delivered to the insured no later than at the time of
delivery of the policy or certificate unless it was retained by the applicant
at the time of application.
(j)
Every insurer or other entity selling or issuing long-term care insurance
benefits shall maintain a record of all policy or certificate rescissions, both
state and countrywide, except those that the insured voluntarily effectuated
and shall annually furnish this information to the commissioner in the format
contained in Appendix 8.
(11) SALE OF LONG-TERM CARE AND LIMITED
BENEFIT POLICIES; REQUIRED OFFER OF COVERAGE WITH INFLATION PROTECTION.
(a) No insurer may advertise, market or offer
a long-term care policy or certificate unless the insurer has a form approved
under s.
631.20,
Stats., for the policy or certificate which adds inflation protection no less
favorable than one of the following:
1.
Benefit levels and maximum benefit amounts increase annually and are annually
compounded at a rate of not less than 5%. The policy or certificate may provide
that the individual insured or certificate holder will be permitted to decline
a benefit increase and that if any benefit increase is declined future
increases will not be available. Declination of a increase must be by express
written election at the time the increase is to take effect.
2. Benefit levels and maximum benefit amounts
increase annually and are annually compounded at a rate equal to the increase
in the consumer price index (urban) for the previous year. The insurer may
elect to provide in the form that the individual insured or certificate holder
will be permitted to decline a benefit increase and that if the benefit
increase is declined future increases will not be available. Such a provision
shall provide that declination of an increase shall be by express written
election at the time the increase is to take effect.
3. Coverage of a specified percentage, not
less than 80%, of actual or reasonable charges for expenses incurred.
4. Activities of daily living and cognitive
impairment triggers shall be described in the policy in a separate paragraph
and shall be labeled "Eligibility for the Payment of Benefits." If an attending
physician or other specified person is required to certify a certain level of
functional dependency in order to be eligible for benefits, this too shall be
specified.
(b) No
insurer may file a form for a long-term care policy or certificate under s.
631.20,
Stats., unless the application form is filed with the policy or certificate
form and the application form contains a clear and conspicuous disclosure of
the offer required under par. (c).
(c) No insurer or intermediary may contact
any person to solicit the sale of a long-term care policy or certificate
unless, at the time of contact, the intermediary or insurer makes a clear and
conspicuous offer to the person to provide the long-term care policy or
certificate with the benefit levels selected by the person and inflation
protection as provided under par. (a).
(d) No insurer or intermediary may accept an
application for a long-term care policy or certificate unless it is signed by
the applicant and the applicant has indicated acceptance or rejection of the
inflation protection on the application.
(e) If a long-term care policy is a group
policy the applicant for the purpose of par. (d) is the proposed certificate
holder.
(f) No insurer or
intermediary may advertise or represent that a long-term care policy includes
inflation protection unless the policy includes inflation protection at least
as favorable as provided under par. (a) 1., 2. or 3.
(g) This subsection does not require an
insurer to accept an application for a long-term care policy or certificate
with inflation protection as provided by this subsection if the applicant would
be rejected under underwriting criteria for the policy or certificate without
the inflation protection.
(h)
Insurers offering group long-term care policies are exempt from pars. (d) and
(e) if they comply with all of the following:
1. The policy is issued to a local,
municipal, county, or state public employee group.
2. The group coverage was negotiated as part
of a collective bargaining agreement.
3. The group coverage is provided to all
eligible employees on a guaranteed issue basis.
4. The policy provides insureds with at least
5% compound annualized inflation protection.
(12) SALE OF LONG-TERM CARE POLICY OR
CERTIFICATE OR LIFE INSURANCE-LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE WITH LENGTHY ELIMINATION
PERIOD.
(a) No insurer may advertise, market
or offer a long-term care policy or certificate, or life insurance-long-term
care coverage with an elimination period exceeding 180 days unless the insurer
has a form approved under s.
631.20,
Stats., providing the identical coverage, but with an elimination period of 180
days or less.
(b) No insurer may
file a form for a long-term care policy or certificate or life
insurance-long-term care coverage containing an elimination period in excess of
180 days, unless the application form contains a clear and conspicuous
disclosure of the offer required under par. (c).
(c) No insurer or intermediary may contact
any person to solicit the sale of a long-term care policy or certificate or
life insurance-long-term care coverage with an elimination period in excess of
180 days unless, at the time of the contact, the intermediary or insurer makes
a clear and conspicuous offer to the person to provide the policy, certificate
or coverage with an elimination period of 180 days or less.
(d) No insurer or intermediary may accept an
application for a long-term care policy or certificate, or life
insurance-long-term care coverage, unless it is signed by the applicant and has
indicated acceptance or rejection of the offer required under par. (c) on the
application.
(e) If a policy or
coverage is a group policy or coverage, the applicant for the purpose of par.
(d) is the proposed certificate holder.
(f) This subsection does not require an
insurer to accept an applicant for a policy, certificate or coverage with a
180-day or less elimination period if the applicant would be rejected for the
same policy, certificate or coverage with the elimination period in excess of
180 days.
(13)
COMMISSION LIMITS FOR LONG-TERM CARE, NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE
POLICIES.
(a) An insurer may provide
compensation to an intermediary, and an intermediary may accept compensation
for the sale of a long-term care policy or certificate only if the compensation
provided in the 2nd year or period and subsequent years is the same and is
provided for at least 5 renewal years.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), no person
may provide compensation to an intermediary, and no intermediary may accept
compensation, relating to the replacement of a long-term care policy or
certificate which is greater than the renewal compensation provided by the
replacing insurer for the replacing policy or certificate. Long-term care
policies this paragraph and par. (c) apply to include, but are not limited to,
long-term care policies, nursing home policies and home health care policies
issued prior to June 1, 1991.
(c) A
person may provide to an intermediary, and an intermediary may accept,
compensation relating to the replacement of a long-term care policy or
certificate; which compensation is no greater than the first-year compensation
provided by the replacing insurer for the replacing policy or certificate if,
in addition to requirements contained in sub. (14), all of the following
criteria are satisfied:
1. The replacing
insurer has established reasonable standards for which first-year compensation
is appropriate for the replacement.
2. The standards referenced in subd. 1.
include all of the following standards:
a.
The replacing policy is suitable for the applicant.
b. The replacing policy materially improves
the position of the applicant, including, but not limited to, the coverage,
price, premium stability, or financial strength ratings of the
insurer.
c. The intermediary has
done an assessment of the replacement transaction justifying the replacement
according to the insurer's replacement standards and this subd. 2. c. and
submits that assessment to the insurer as part of the application for
replacement.
d. The insurer
evaluates each replacement and affirmatively approves or denies the
replacement's qualification for first-year compensation of the replacing
policy.
e. The standards and
methodology are subject to review by the office of the commissioner of
insurance.
3. The
replacing insurer has established an auditable methodology for evaluating
replacements that qualify for first-year compensation.
(14) REPLACEMENT; LONG-TERM CARE,
NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES.
(a) If a long-term care policy or certificate
replaces another long-term care policy or certificate, the replacing insurer
shall waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions, waiting
periods, elimination periods and probationary periods in the new long-term care
policy for similar benefits to the extent that similar exclusions have been
satisfied under the original policy.
(b) If a group long-term care policy is
replaced by another group long-term care policy purchased by the same
policyholder, the succeeding insurer shall offer coverage to all persons
covered under the old group policy on its date of termination. Coverage under
the new group policy may not result in any exclusion for preexisting conditions
that would have been covered under the group policy being replaced.
(c)
1.
Application forms shall include the following questions designed to elicit
information as to whether, as of the date of the application, the applicant has
another long-term care insurance policy or certificate in force or whether a
long-term care policy or certificate is intended to replace any other accident
and sickness or long-term care policy or certificate presently in force. A
supplementary application or other form to be signed by the applicant and
agent, except where the coverage is sold without an agent, containing the
following questions may be used:
a. Do you
have another long-term care insurance policy or certificate in force (including
a health care service contract or health maintenance organization
contract)?
b. Did you have another
long-term care insurance policy or certificate in force during the last 12
months?
c. If so, with which
[company or insurer]?
d. If that
policy lapsed, when did it lapse?
e. Are you covered by Medicaid?
f. Do you intend to replace any of your
medical or health insurance coverage with this policy [certificate]?
2. Agents shall list any other
health insurance policies they have sold to the applicant, including all of the
following:
a. List policies sold that are
still in force.
b. List policies
sold in the past 5 years that are no longer in force.
3. Upon determining that a sale will involve
replacement, an insurer; other than an insurer using direct response
solicitation methods, or its intermediaries; shall furnish the applicant, prior
to issuance or delivery of the individual long-term care insurance policy, a
notice regarding replacement of accident and sickness or long-term care
coverage. One copy of the notice shall be retained by the applicant and an
additional copy signed by the applicant shall be retained by the insurer. The
required notice shall be provided in compliance with Appendix 6.
4. Insurers using direct response
solicitation methods shall deliver a notice regarding replacement of accident
and sickness or long-term care coverage to the applicant upon issuance of the
policy. The required notice shall be provided in compliance with Appendix
7.
5. Where replacement is
intended, the replacing insurer shall notify, in writing, the existing insurer
of the proposed replacement. The existing policy shall be identified by the
insurer, name of the insured and policy number or address including zip code.
Notice shall be made within 5 working days from the date the application is
received by the insurer or the date the policy is issued, whichever is
sooner.
6. Life insurance policies
that accelerate benefits for long-term care shall comply with this section if
the policy being replaced is a long-term care insurance policy. If the policy
being replaced is a life insurance policy, the insurer shall comply with the
replacement requirements of s.
Ins
2.07. If a life insurance policy that accelerates
benefits for long-term care is replaced by another such policy, the replacing
insurer shall comply with both the long-term care and the life insurance
replacement requirements.
(d) An intermediary taking an application for
a long-term care policy or certificate shall do all of the following:
1. List any other health insurance policies
or certificates the intermediary has sold to the applicant.
2. List separately the policies or
certificates that are still in force.
3. List policies or certificates sold in the
past which are no longer in force.
4. Submit the lists to the insurer with the
application.
(e) Every
insurer and person marketing long-term care insurance coverage in this state,
directly or through its intermediaries, shall do all of the following:
1. Establish marketing procedures to assure
that any comparison of policies by its intermediaries or other producers will
be fair and accurate.
2. Establish
marketing procedures to assure excessive insurance is not sold or
issued.
3. Inquire and otherwise
make every reasonable effort to identify whether a prospective applicant or
enrollee for a long-term care policy or certificate already has an accident and
sickness or a long-term care policy or certificate and the types and amounts of
any such insurance, except that in the case of qualified long-term care
insurance contract, an inquiry into whether a prospective applicant or enrollee
for long-term care insurance has accident and sickness insurance is not
required.
4. Establish auditable
procedures for verifying compliance with this paragraph.
(f) In recommending the purchase or
replacement of any long-term care policy or certificate an intermediary shall
make reasonable efforts to determine the appropriateness of a recommended
purchase or replacement.
(g)
Replacement of long-term care, nursing home and home health care policies and
certificates issued prior to June 1, 1991 is also subject to this
subsection.
(15)
UNINTENTIONAL LAPSE; LONG-TERM CARE, NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE
POLICIES.
(a) As part of the application
process, an insurer shall obtain from the applicant either a written
designation of at least one person, in addition to the applicant, who is to
receive a notice of lapse or termination of the policy or certificate for
nonpayment of premium or a written waiver dated and signed by the applicant
electing not to designate additional persons to receive notice. Designation may
not constitute acceptance of any liability by the third party for services
provided to the insured. The written designation shall include the following:
1. Space for clearly listing at least one
person.
2. The person's name and
address.
3. In the case of an
applicant who elects not to designate an additional person, the waiver shall
state, "Protection against unintentional lapse. I understand that I have a
right to designate at least one person, other than myself, to receive notice of
lapse or termination of this policy for nonpayment of premium. I understand
that notice will not be given until 30 days after a premium is due and unpaid.
I elect NOT to designate any person to receive such
notice."
(b) For those
insureds who designate another person as provided in par. (a), the insurer,
after the policy or certificate is issued shall send a letter to the designated
person indicating that the insured has designated the person to receive notice
of lapse or termination of the insured's long-term care, nursing home or home
health care policy or certificate. The letter shall ask the person to correct
any information concerning the name or address of the person. It shall also
explain the rights and duties of the designated person.
(c) Not less than once every 2 years an
insurer shall notify its policyholders of their right to designate a person to
receive the notices contained in par. (a). The notification shall allow
policyholders to change, add to or, in the case of those policyholders who
elected not to designate a person, designate a person to receive the notices
provided in par. (a).
(d) When an
insured pays premium through a payroll deduction plan, the requirements
contained in par. (a) need not be met until 60 days after the insured is no
longer on a payroll deduction plan. The application or enrollment form for such
policies or certificates shall clearly indicate the payment plan selected by
the applicant.
(e) No long-term
care, nursing home, or home health care policy or certificate shall lapse or be
terminated for nonpayment of premium unless the insurer, at least 30 days
before the effective date of the lapse or termination, has given notice to the
insured and to those designated by the insured pursuant to par. (a) at the
address provided by the insured for purposes of receiving notices of lapse or
termination. Notice may not be given until 30 days after a premium is due and
unpaid.
(16)
SUITABILITY; LONG-TERM CARE, NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES.
(a) This subsection may not apply to life
insurance policies that accelerate benefits for long-term care.
(b) Every insurer marketing long-term care
insurance policies shall do all of the following:
1. Develop and use suitability standards to
determine whether the purchase or replacement of long-term care insurance is
appropriate for the needs of the applicant.
2. Train its agents in the use of its
suitability standards.
3. Maintain
a copy of its suitability standards.
4. Report annually to the commissioner all of
the following:
a. The total number of
applications received from residents of this state.
b. The number of those who declined to
provide information on the personal worksheet.
c. The number of applicants who did not meet
the suitability standards.
d. The
number of applicants who chose to confirm after receiving a suitability
letter.
(c)
1. To determine whether the applicant meets
the standards developed by the insurer, the agent and insurer shall develop
procedures that take the following into consideration:
a. The ability to pay for the proposed
coverage and other pertinent financial information related to the purchase of
the coverage.
b. The applicant's
goals or needs with respect to long-term care and the advantages and
disadvantages of insurance to meet these goals or needs.
c. The values, benefits and costs of the
applicant's existing insurance, if any, when compared to the values, benefits
and costs of the recommended purchase or replacement.
2. The insurer, and where an agent is
involved, the agent shall make reasonable efforts to obtain the information set
out in subd. 1. The efforts shall include presentation to the applicant, at or
prior to application, the "Long-Term Care Insurance Personal Worksheet." The
personal worksheet used by the insurer shall contain, at a minimum, the
information in the format contained in Appendix 2, in not less than 12, point
type. The insurer may request the applicant to provide additional information
to comply with its suitability standards. A copy of the insurer's personal
worksheet shall be filed with the commissioner.
3. A completed personal worksheet shall be
returned to the insurer prior to the insurer's consideration of the applicant
for coverage, except the personal worksheet need not be returned for sales of
employer group long-term care insurance to employees and their
spouses.
4. The sale or
dissemination outside the company or agency by the insurer or agent of
information obtained through the personal worksheet in Appendix 2 is
prohibited.
(d) The
insurer shall use the suitability standards it has developed pursuant to this
section in determining whether issuing long-term care insurance coverage to an
applicant is appropriate.
(e)
Agents shall use the suitability standards developed by the insurer in
marketing long-term care insurance.
(f) At the same time as the personal
worksheet is provided to the applicant, the disclosure form entitled "Things
You Should Know Before You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance" shall be provided. The
form shall be in the format contained in Appendix 3, in not less than 12, point
type.
(g) If the insurer determines
that the applicant does not meet its financial suitability standards, or if the
applicant has declined to provide the information, the insurer may reject the
application. In the alternative, the insurer shall send the applicant a letter
similar to the sample letter in Appendix 4. However, if the applicant has
declined to provide financial information, the insurer may use some other
method to verify the applicant's intent. Either the applicant's returned letter
or a record of the alternative method of verification shall be made part of the
applicant's file.
(h) The insurer
shall maintain and have available for review by the commissioner the total
number of applications received from residents of this state, the number of
those who declined to provide information on the personal worksheet, the number
of applicants who did not meet the suitability standards, and the number of
those who, after receiving a suitability letter, indicated that the insurer
should resume processing the application.
(17) STANDARDS FOR BENEFIT TRIGGERS;
LONG-TERM CARE, NURSING HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES.
(a) The following definitions apply to this
subsection:
1. "Activities of daily living"
includes at least bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and
transferring.
2. "Bathing" means
washing oneself by sponge bath; or in either a tub or shower, including the
task of getting into or out of the tub or shower.
3. "Cognitive impairment" means a deficiency
in a person's short- or long-term memory, orientation as to person, place and
time, deductive or abstract reasoning, or judgment as it relates to safety
awareness.
4. "Continence" means
the ability to maintain control of bowel and bladder function; or, when unable
to maintain control of bowel or bladder function, the ability to perform
associated personal hygiene, including caring for catheter or colostomy
bag.
5. "Dressing" means putting on
and taking off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners or
artificial limbs.
6. "Eating" means
feeding oneself by getting food into the body from a receptacle (such as a
plate, cup or table) or by a feeding tube or intravenously.
7. "Hands-on assistance" means physical
assistance, either minimal, moderate or maximal, without which the individual
would not be able to perform the activity of daily living.
8. "Toileting" means getting to and from the
toilet, getting on and off the toilet, and performing associated personal
hygiene.
9. "Transferring" means
moving into or out of a bed, chair or wheelchair.
(b) A long-term care, nursing home only and
home health care only policy or certificate shall condition the payment of
benefits on a determination of the insured's ability to perform activities of
daily living and on cognitive impairment. Eligibility for the payment of
benefits may not be more restrictive than requiring either a deficiency in the
ability to perform not more than 3 of the activities of daily living or the
presence of cognitive impairment.
(c)
1.
Activities of daily living shall include at least those contained in the
definition in par. (a).
2. Insurers
may use deficiencies to perform activities of daily living to determine when
covered benefits are payable in addition to those contained in par. (a) as long
as they are defined in the policy.
(d) An insurer may use additional provisions
for the determination of when benefits are payable under a policy or
certificate; however, the provisions may not restrict, and are not in lieu of,
the requirements contained in pars. (b) and (c).
(e) For purposes of this section, the
determination of a deficiency may not be more restrictive than any of the
following:
1. Requiring hands-on assistance of
another person to perform the prescribed activities of daily living.
2. If the deficiency is due to the presence
of cognitive impairment, supervision or verbal cueing by another person is
needed in order to protect the insured and others.
(f) Assessments of activities of daily living
and cognitive impairment shall be performed by licensed or certified
professionals, such as physicians, nurses or social workers.
(g) Long-term care, nursing home only and
home health care only policies shall include a clear description of the process
for appealing and resolving benefit determinations.
Note: The rule revision effective August 1, 1996
applies to any policy solicited, delivered or issued after September 1, 1996.
After August 1, 1996 but before September 1, 1996, the insurer may market
policies under either the current rule or the revised rule, if a policy form
conforming to this section has been approved.
(18) TAX QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE, NURSING
HOME AND HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES. This subsection applies to long term care,
nursing home or home health care policies which are intended to be tax
qualified under and comply with the requirements of section of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations and administrative
pronouncements issued under the Code.
(a) In
order to qualify for certain tax treatment, long term care, nursing home only
and home health care only policy provisions may contain the following
conditions as defined in section of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as
amended and any regulations and administrative pronouncements issued thereunder
notwithstanding sub. (17):
1. The terms
"severe cognitive impairment " and "substantial supervision" may be used in
lieu of the term "cognitive impairment" and its accompanying supervision
requirement may be used as a benefit trigger in sub. (17) (a) 3. and (e)
2.
2. The term "substantial
assistance" may be used in lieu of the term "hands-on-assistance" in sub. (17)
(c) 1.
3. The requirement that the
claimant obtain a certification from a licensed health care practitioner, as
defined in section of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
regulations and administrative pronouncements issued under the Code, as a
condition for claim payment that the functional incapacity or inability to
perform at least 2 activities of daily living triggering benefits under the
policy is expected to last at least 90 days, may be imposed by the
insurer.
4. Except as noted in
subds. 1., 2. and 3., the definitions and provisions in sub. (17) apply to this
subsection.
(b) The
policy shall contain a clear disclosure that the policy is intended to be a tax
qualified long term care policy.
(c) The outline of coverage shall prominently
disclose that, in order to meet the requirements of a tax qualified policy, the
functional incapacity or inability to perform activities of daily living
triggering benefits under the policy must be expected to last for at least 90
days.
(d) All other applicable
provisions in this section or s.
Ins
3.455 shall continue to apply to tax qualified long
term care, nursing home and home health care policies.
(19) NONFORFEITURE BENEFIT REQUIREMENTS FOR
LONG-TERM CARE.
(a) No insurer may advertise,
market or offer a long-term care, nursing home only or home health care only
policy or certificate unless the insurer offers, at the time of sale, a
shortened benefit period nonforfeiture benefit.
(b) If the offer required to be made under
par. (a) is rejected, the insurer shall provide the contingent benefit upon
lapse described in this section.
(c)
1. After
rejection of the offer required under par. (a) for individual and group
policies without nonforfeiture benefits issued after the effective date of this
subsection, the insurer shall provide a contingent benefit upon
lapse.
2. If a group policyholder
elects to make the nonforfeiture benefit an option to the certificateholder, a
certificate shall provide either the nonforfeiture benefit or the contingent
benefit upon lapse.
3. The
contingent benefit on lapse shall be triggered every time an insurer increases
the premium rates to a level which results in a cumulative increase of the
annual premium equal to or exceeding the percentage of the insured's initial
annual premium set forth in the table in the subdivision based on the insured's
issue age, and the policy or certificate lapses within 120 days of the due date
of the premium so increased. Unless otherwise required, policyholders shall be
notified at least 60 days prior to the due date of the premium reflecting the
rate increase.
Triggers for a Substantial Premium
Increase
|
|
% Increase Over
|
Issue Age
|
Initial Premium
|
29 and under
|
200%
|
30-34
|
190%
|
35-39
|
170%
|
40-44
|
150%
|
45-49
|
130%
|
50-54
|
110%
|
55-59
|
90%
|
60
|
70%
|
61
|
66%
|
62
|
62%
|
63
|
58%
|
64
|
54%
|
65
|
50%
|
66
|
48%
|
67
|
46%
|
68
|
44%
|
69
|
42%
|
70
|
40%
|
71
|
38%
|
72
|
36%
|
73
|
34%
|
74
|
32%
|
75
|
30%
|
76
|
28%
|
77
|
26%
|
78
|
24%
|
79
|
22%
|
80
|
20%
|
81
|
19%
|
82
|
18%
|
83
|
17%
|
84
|
16%
|
85
|
15%
|
86
|
14%
|
87
|
13%
|
88
|
12%
|
89
|
11%
|
90 and over
|
10%
|
4. On
or before the effective date of a substantial premium increase as described in
subd. 3. the insurer shall do all of the following:
a. Offer to reduce policy benefits provided
by the current coverage without the requirement of additional underwriting so
that required premium payments are not increased.
b. Offer to convert the coverage to a paid-up
status where the amount payable for each benefit is 90% of the amount payable
in effect immediately prior to lapse times the ratio of the number of completed
months of paid premiums divided by the number of months in the premium paying
period. This option may be elected at any time during the 120-day period
referenced in subd. 3.
c. Notify
the policyholder or certificateholder that a default or lapse at any time
during the 120-day period referenced in subd. 3. shall be deemed to be the
election of the offer to convert in subd. 4. b., if the ratio is 40% or
more.
(d) The
required benefits continued as nonforfeiture benefits under par. (a), including
contingent benefits upon lapse under par. (b), are computed as follows:
1. "Attained age rating" as applied in this
paragraph is defined as a schedule of premiums starting from the issue date
which increases with age at least 1% per year prior to age 50, and at least 3%
per year for age 50 and beyond.
2.
The nonforfeiture benefit shall provide paid-up long-term care, nursing home
only or home care only insurance coverage after lapse. The amounts and
frequency of benefits in effect at the time of lapse, but not increased
thereafter, shall be payable for a qualifying claim, but the lifetime maximum
dollars or days of benefits shall be determined as specified in subd.
3.
3. The standard nonforfeiture
credit shall be at least 100% of the sum of all premiums paid, including the
premiums paid prior to any changes in benefits. The insurer may offer
additional shortened benefit period options, as long as the benefits for each
duration equal or exceed the standard nonforfeiture credit for that duration.
However, the minimum nonforfeiture credit may not be less than 30 times the
daily nursing home benefit at the time of lapse. In either event, the
calculation of the nonforfeiture credit is subject to the limitation of par.
(e).
4. The nonforfeiture benefit
shall begin not later than the end of the third year following the policy or
certificate issue date. The contingent benefit upon lapse shall be effective
during the first 3 years and subsequent years. For a policy or certificate with
attained age rating, the nonforfeiture benefit shall begin on the earlier of
end of the tenth year following the policy or certificate issue date or of the
end of the second year following the date the policy or certificate is no
longer subject to attained age rating.
5. Nonforfeiture credits may be used for all
care and services qualifying for benefits under the terms of the policy or
certificate, up to the limits specified in the policy or certificate.
(e) All benefits paid by the
insurer while the policy or certificate is in premium-paying status and in the
paid-up status may not exceed the maximum benefits which would have been
payable if the policy or certificate had remained in premium-paying
status.
(f) There shall be no
difference in the minimum nonforfeiture benefits as required under this
subsection for group and individual policies.
(g) Premiums charged for a policy or
certificate containing nonforfeiture benefits shall be subject to the loss
ratio requirements contained in s.
Ins
3.455(5) treating the policy as a
whole.
(h) This subsection shall
apply as follows:
1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., the provisions of this subsection apply to any long-term care,
nursing home, and home health care policy issued in this state on or after
January 1, 2002.
2. For group
long-term care, nursing home, and home health care insurance certificates
issued to employer-sponsored groups or labor organizations in this state and in
force on or after January 1, 2002, which policy was in force on January 1,
2001, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply.
(i) To determine whether contingent
nonforfeiture upon lapse provisions are triggered under par. (c) 3. a replacing
insurer that purchased or otherwise assumed a block or blocks of long-term care
insurance policies from another insurer shall calculate the percentage increase
based on the initial annual premium paid by the insured when the policy was
first purchased from the original insurer.
(j) A contingent benefit on lapse shall also
be triggered for policies with a fixed or limited premium paying period every
time an insurer increases the premium rates to a level that results in a
cumulative increase of the annual premium equal to or exceeding the percentage
of the insured's initial annual premium set forth in par. (c) 3. based on the
insured's issue age, the policy or certificate lapses within 120 days of the
due date of the premium so increased, and the ratio is 40% or more. Unless
otherwise required, policyholders shall be notified at least 30 days prior to
the due date of the premium reflecting the rate increase.
(20) INCONTESTABILITY PERIOD. An insurer may
rescind a long-term care insurance policy or certificate or deny an otherwise
valid long-term care insurance claim only as permitted under ss.
631.11(1)
(b) and
632.76,
Stats., and only if in addition to complying with ss.
631.11(1)
(b) and
632.76,
Stats., any of the following apply:
(a) For a
policy or certificate that has been in force for less than 6 months, the
insurer shows the misrepresentation is material to the acceptance for
coverage.
(b) For a policy or
certificate that has been in force for at least 6 months but less than 2 years,
the insurer shows the misrepresentation is both material to the acceptance for
coverage and pertains to the condition for which benefits are sought.
(c) For a policy or certificate that has been
in force 2 years or more, the insurer shows that the insured knowingly,
intentionally and fraudulently misrepresented relevant facts relating to the
insured's health.
(d)
1. No long-term care insurance policy or
certificate may be field issued based on medical or health status unless the
compensation to the field issuer is not based on the number of policies or
certificates issued.
2. For
purposes of this paragraph, a policy or certificate that is "field issued"
means the producer or third-party administrator using the insurer's
underwriting guidelines underwrites the policy not the insurer, pursuant to the
authority granted to the producer or third-party administrator by an
insurer.
(e) If an
insurer has paid benefits under the long-term care insurance policy or
certificate, the benefit payments may not be recovered by the insurer in the
event that the policy or certificate is rescinded.
(f) In the event of the death of the insured,
this subdivision may not apply to the remaining death benefit of a life
insurance policy that accelerates benefits for long-term care. In this
situation, the remaining death benefits under these policies shall be governed
by s.
632.46,
Stats. In all other situations, this subdivision shall apply to life insurance
policies that accelerate benefits for long-term care.
(21) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Every insurer shall maintain records for
each intermediary of that intermediary's amount of replacement sales as a
percent of the intermediary's total annual sales and the amount of lapses of
long-term care insurance policies sold by the intermediary as a percent of the
intermediary's total annual sales.
(b) Every insurer shall report annually by
June 30 the 10% of its intermediaries with the greatest percentages of lapses
and replacements as measured by par. (a) using Appendix 10.
(c) Reported replacement and lapse rates do
not alone constitute a violation of insurance laws or necessarily imply
wrongdoing. The reports are for the purpose of reviewing more closely
intermediary activities regarding the sale of long-term care
insurance.
(d) Every insurer shall
report annually by June 30 the number of lapsed policies as a percent of its
total annual sales and as a percent of its total number of policies in force as
of the end of the preceding calendar year using Appendix 10.
(e) Every insurer shall report annually by
June 30 the number of replacement policies sold as a percent of its total
annual sales and as a percent of its total number of policies in force as of
the preceding calendar year using Appendix 10.
(f) Every insurer shall report annually by
June 30, for qualified long-term care insurance contracts, the number of claims
denied for each class of business, expressed as a percentage of claims denied
using Appendix 9.
(22)
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVERTISING. Every insurer, health care service plan or
other entity providing long-term care insurance or benefits in this state shall
provide a copy of any long-term care insurance advertisement whether through
written, radio or television medium to the commissioner as required by s.
Ins
3.27. In addition, all advertisements shall be
retained by the insurer, health care service plan or other entity for at least
3 years from the date the advertisement was first used.
(23) STANDARDS FOR MARKETING.
(a) Every insurer or other entity marketing
long-term care insurance coverage in this state, directly or through its
intermediaries, shall do all of the following:
1. Establish marketing procedures and
intermediary training requirements to assure that both of the following are
met:
a. Any marketing activities, including
any comparison of policies, by its intermediaries or other producers will be
fair and accurate.
b. Excessive
insurance is not sold or issued.
2. Display prominently by type, stamp or
other appropriate means, on the first page of the outline of coverage and
policy the following notice:
"Notice to buyer: This policy may not cover all of the costs
associated with long-term care incurred by the buyer during the period of
coverage. The buyer is advised to review carefully all policy
limitations."
3. Provide
copies of the disclosure forms required in Appendices 2 and 3 to the
applicant.
4. Inquire and otherwise
make every reasonable effort to identify whether a prospective applicant or
enrollee for long-term care insurance already has accident and sickness or
long-term care insurance and the types and amounts of any such insurance,
except that in the case of qualified long-term care insurance contracts as
defined in s.
Ins
3.465(2) (d), an inquiry into whether
a prospective applicant or enrollee for long-term care insurance has accident
and sickness insurance is not required.
5. Every insurer or entity marketing
long-term care insurance shall establish auditable procedures for verifying
compliance with this paragraph.
6.
If the state in which the policy or certificate is to be delivered or issued
for delivery has a senior insurance counseling program, the insurer shall, at
solicitation, provide written notice to the prospective policyholder and
certificateholder that the program is available and the name, address and
telephone number of the program.
7.
For long-term care insurance policies and certificates, use the terms
"noncancellable" or "level premium" only when the policy or certificate
conforms with sub. (3) (f).
8.
Provide an explanation of contingent benefit upon lapse provided for in sub.
(19) (c), and, if applicable, the additional contingent benefit upon lapse
provided to policies with fixed or limited premium paying periods in sub. (15)
(e).
(b) In addition to
the practices prohibited in s.
628.34(12),
Stats., the following acts and practices are prohibited by insurers or other
entities marketing long-term care insurance coverage in this state, directly or
through its intermediaries:
1. "Twisting."
Knowingly making any misleading representation or incomplete or fraudulent
comparison of any insurance policies or insurers for the purpose of inducing,
or tending to induce, any person to lapse, forfeit, surrender, terminate,
retain, pledge, assign, borrow on or convert any insurance policy or to take
out a policy of insurance with another insurer.
2. "High pressure tactics." Employing any
method of marketing having the effect of or tending to induce the purchase of
insurance through force, fright, threat, whether explicit or implied, or undue
pressure to purchase or recommend the purchase of insurance.
3. "Cold lead advertising." Making use
directly or indirectly of any method of marketing which fails to disclose in a
conspicuous manner that a purpose of the method of marketing is solicitation of
insurance and that contact will be made by an insurance agent or insurance
company.
4. "Misrepresentation."
Misrepresenting a material fact in selling or offering to sell a long-term care
insurance policy.
(c) In
regards to any transaction involving a long-term care insurance product, no
person subject to regulation under chs. 600 to 655, Stats., may knowingly
prevent or dissuade or attempt to prevent or dissuade, any person from any of
the following:
1. Filing a complaint with the
office of the commissioner of insurance.
2. Cooperating with the office of the
commissioner of insurance in any investigation.
3. Attending or giving testimony at any
proceeding authorized by law.
(d) If an insured exercises the right to
return a policy during the free-look period, the issuer shall mail the entire
premium refund directly to the person who paid the premium.
(e)
1. With
respect to the obligations set forth in this subsection, the primary
responsibility of an association, as described in s.
600.01(1)
(b) 3, Stats., when endorsing or selling
long-term care insurance shall be to educate its members concerning long-term
care issues in general so that its members can make informed decisions.
Associations shall provide objective information regarding long term care
insurance policies or certificates endorsed or sold by such associations to
ensure that members of such associations receive a balanced and complete
explanation of the features in the policies or certificates that are being
endorsed or sold.
2. The insurer
shall file with the office of the commissioner of insurance all of the
following material:
a. The policy and
certificate.
b. A corresponding
outline of coverage.
c. All
advertisements requested by the insurance department.
3. The association shall disclose in any
long-term care insurance solicitation the following:
a. The specific nature and amount of the
compensation arrangements, including all fees, commissions, administrative fees
and other forms of financial support, that the association receives from
endorsement or sale of the policy or certificate to its members.
b. A brief description of the process under
which the policies and the insurer issuing the policies were
selected.
4. If the
association and the insurer have interlocking directorates or trustee
arrangements, the association shall disclose that fact to its
members.
5. The board of directors
of associations selling or endorsing long-term care insurance policies or
certificates shall review and approve the insurance policies as well as the
compensation arrangements made with the insurer.
6. The association shall also do all of the
following:
a. Conduct an examination of its
policies, including benefits, features, and rates and subsequently update the
examination in the event of material change at the time of the association's
decision to endorse or engage the services of a person with expertise in
long-term care insurance not affiliated with the insurer.
b. Actively monitor the marketing efforts of
the insurer and its intermediaries.
c. Review and approve all marketing materials
or other insurance communications used to promote sales or sent to members
regarding the policies or certificates.
d. Subd. to may not apply to qualified
long-term care insurance contracts.
7. No group long-term care insurance policy
may be issued to an association unless the insurer files with the office of the
commissioner of insurance the information required in this
subsection.
8. An insurer may not
issue a long-term care policy or certificate to an association or continue to
market such a policy or certificate unless the insurer certifies annually that
the association has complied with the requirements set forth in this
subsection.
9. Failure to comply
with the filing and certification requirements of this section constitutes an
unfair trade practice in violation of s.
628.34(11),
Stats.
(24)
AVAILABILITY OF NEW SERVICES OR PROVIDERS.
(a) An insurer shall notify policyholders of
the availability of a new long-term care policy series that provides coverage
for new long-term care services or providers material in nature and not
previously available through the insurer to the general public. The notice
shall be provided within 12 months of the date the new policy series is made
available for sale in this state.
(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), notification is
not required for any policy issued prior to the effective date of this section
or to any policyholder or certificateholder who is eligible for benefits, is
within an elimination period or is receiving benefits, or who previously
received benefits under the terms of the policy, or who would not be eligible
to apply for coverage due to issue age limitations under the new policy. The
insurer may require that policyholders meet all eligibility requirements,
including underwriting and payment of the required premium to add such new
services or providers.
(c) The
insurer shall make the new coverage available in one of the following ways:
1. By adding a rider to the existing policy
and charging a separate premium for the new rider based on the insured's
attained age.
2. By exchanging the
existing policy or certificate for one with an issue age based on the present
age of the insured and recognizing past insured status by granting premium
credits toward the premiums for the new policy or certificate. The premium
credits shall be based on premiums paid or reserves held for the prior policy
or certificate.
3. By exchanging
the existing policy or certificate for a new policy or certificate in which
consideration for past insured status shall be recognized by setting the
premium for the new policy or certificate at the issue age of the policy or
certificate being exchanged. The cost for the new policy or certificate may
recognize the difference in reserves between the new policy or certificate and
the original policy or certificate.
(d) An insurer is not required to notify
policyholders of a new proprietary policy series created and filed for use in a
limited distribution channel. For purposes of this paragraph, "limited
distribution channel" means through a discrete entity, such as a financial
institution or brokerage, for which specialized products are available that are
not available for sale to the general public. Policyholders that purchased such
a proprietary policy shall be notified when a new long-term care policy series
that provides coverage for new long-term care services or providers material in
nature is made available to that limited distribution channel.
(e) Policies issued pursuant to this
subsection may not be considered replacements.
(f) Where the policy is offered through an
employer, labor organization, or professional, trade or occupational
association, the required notification in par. (a) shall be made to the
offering entity.
(g) Nothing in
this subsection shall prohibit an insurer from offering any policy, rider,
certificate or coverage change to any policyholder or certificateholder.
However, upon request any policyholder may apply for available coverage that
includes the new services or providers. The insurer may require that
policyholders meet all eligibility requirements, including underwriting and
payment of the required premium to add such new services or
providers.
(h) This subsection does
not apply to life insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term
care benefits.
(25)
RIGHT TO REDUCE COVERAGE AND LOWER PREMIUMS.
(a)
1.
Every long-term care insurance policy and certificate shall include a provision
that allows the policyholder or certificateholder to reduce coverage and lower
the policy or certificate premium in at least one of the following ways:
a. Reducing the maximum benefit.
b. Reducing the daily, weekly or monthly
benefit amount.
2. The
insurer may also offer other reduction options that are consistent with the
policy or certificate design or the insurer's administrative
processes.
(b) The
provision shall include a description of the ways in which coverage may be
reduced and the process for requesting and implementing a reduction in
coverage.
(c) The age to determine
the premium for the reduced coverage shall be based on the age used to
determine the premiums for the existing coverage.
(d) The insurer may limit any reduction in
coverage to plans or options available for that policy form and to those for
which benefits will be available after consideration of claims paid or
payable.
(e) If a policy or
certificate is due to lapse, the insurer shall provide a written reminder to
the policyholder or certificateholder of his or her right to reduce coverage
and premiums in the notice required by sub. (15) (e).
(f) This subsection does not apply to life
insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term care
benefits.
(26) INSURANCE
INTERMEDIARY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. This section applies to all insurance
intermediaries that sell, solicit or negotiate long-term care insurance
products in this state. For purposes of this paragraph, an hour of training
means a period of study consisting of no less than 50 minutes. The requirements
of this paragraph do not supersede any other intermediary education
requirements contained in chs. Ins 26 and
28.
(a) No insurance intermediary may sell,
solicit or negotiate long-term care insurance in this state unless the
intermediary is duly licensed and appointed by an insurer and has completed the
initial training and ongoing training every 24 months as specified in s.
628.348(1),
Stats. The insurer shall be able to verify compliance with the training
requirements as specified in this paragraph and s.
628.348(2),
Stats. The training shall meet the requirements set forth in this paragraph to
par. (d).
1.
a. Initial training. The initial training
required shall be no less than 8 hours, of which 2 hours shall contain
Wisconsin specific Medicaid and long-term care information. Training shall be
completed in one six-hour course for non-Wisconsin specific Medicaid and
long-term care information training and one two-hour course for Wisconsin
specific Medicaid and long-term care information or one eight-hour course that
includes the two-hours of training containing specific Medicaid and long-term
care information.
b. Ongoing
training. After completion of the initial 8 hours of training, all insurance
intermediaries shall complete one 4-hour of training course specific to
long-term care insurance and shall incorporate updates to the state partnership
program as is available from the department's website. Training shall be
completed as specified in par. (b) 2.
2. The training specified in this subsection
may not include training that is insurer or company product specific or that
includes any sales or marketing information, materials, or training, other than
those required by state or federal law.
3. The training required by this subsection
shall be submitted and approved and may be approved as continuing education
courses under ch. Ins 28.
4. The
training required by this subsection shall consist of topics related to
long-term care insurance, long-term care services and the state partnership
program. The training shall include, but not be limited to, all of the
following:
a. State and federal regulations
and requirements and the relationship between qualified state long-term care
partnership plan policies and other public and private coverage of long-term
care services, including Medicaid programs in this state.
b. Available long-term care services and
providers.
c. Changes or
innovations in long-term care services or providers.
d. Alternatives to the purchase of private
long-term care insurance.
e. The
effect of inflation on benefits and the importance of inflation
protection.
f. Insurance
suitability standards and guidelines.
6. Wisconsin specific Medicaid and long-term
care training shall consist of the training developed and made available by the
department.
7. Satisfaction of the
training requirements in any state shall be deemed to satisfy the training
requirements in this state subject to verification and compliance with the
training requirements in subd. 1. except for the initial 2 hours of Wisconsin
specific Medicaid and long-term care information training.
(b)
1.
Insurance intermediaries licensed prior to January 1, 2009, shall complete the
initial training prior to selling long-term care products on or after January
1, 2009. Completion of initial training courses on or after October 27, 2007,
that meet the requirements of par. (a) 4., may be counted towards completion of
the initial 8 hour training requirement.
2. For purposes of complying with s.
628.348(1),
Stats., compliance with this subsection will comply with s.
628.348(1),
Stats. Insurance intermediaries who complete initial training by January 1,
2009, are required to complete the required 4 hours of ongoing training by the
first complete license renewal cycle as specified in s.
Ins 6.63.
Insurance intermediaries completing initial training after January 1, 2009
shall complete the required 4 hours of ongoing training by the date of their
next complete license renewal cycle as specified in s.
Ins
6.63.
(c) Insurers subject to this section shall
obtain and maintain verification that the intermediaries appointed with the
insurer received the training required by sub. (1) and shall make such
information available to the commissioner upon request.
(d) Insurers offering long-term care
insurance intended as a qualifying partnership policy shall maintain records
that its authorized insurance intermediaries have demonstrated an understanding
of the state partnership program and the relationship of the state partnership
program to public and private coverage of long-term care including Wisconsin
Medicaid long-term care programs. Information maintained shall be in a form
that allows the commissioner to provide assurance to the department that the
insurer's intermediaries have received the long-term care insurance
training.
Notes
Wis. Admin. Code Office of the Commissioner of Insurance § Ins 3.46
Cr. Register, June, 1981,
No. 305, eff. 11-1-81; cr. (3) (c), Register, June, 1982, No. 318, eff. 7-1-82;
am. (1) and (3) (b), Register, March, 1985, No. 351, eff. 4-1-85; (6m) deleted
under s. 13.93(2m) (b) 16., Stats., Register, March, 1985, No. 351; r. and
recr. Register, December, 1986, No. 372, eff. 1-1-87; r. and recr., Register,
April, 1991, No. 424, eff. 6-1-91; cr. (3) (cm), (4) (t), (9) (b), (11m), (15),
(16), (17), am. (4) (b), (g), renum. (9) (intro.), (a) and (b) to be (9) (a)
(intro.), (a) 1. and 2., Register, July, 1996, No. 487, eff. 8-1-96; am. (4)
(g) and cr. (18), Register, August, 1997, No. 500, eff. 9-1-97; r. (9) (b),
Register, January, 1999, No. 517, eff. 2-1-99; CR 00-188: cr. (3) (j), (4) (u),
(9) (b) to (j) and (19), am. (5) (b) 5. and 9., r. (11m), Register July 2001,
No. 547 eff. 1-1-02; EmR0817: emerg. r. (2) (a), am. (2) (d) (intro.), (4) (c),
(j) to (n), (r), (5) (a), (b) 9., (16) (b), r. and recr. (3), (14), (19) (c) 4.
and (d), cr. (8) (c), (d), (9) (k) to (m), (10) (f) to (j), (11) (a) 4., (19)
(j) and (20) to (26), eff. 6-3-08; CR 08-032: r. (2) (a), am. (2) (d) (intro.),
(4) (c), (j) to (n), (r), (5) (a), (b) 9., (16) (b), r. and recr. (3), (14),
(19) (c) 4. and (d), cr. (8) (c), (d), (9) (k) to (m), (10) (f) to (j), (11)
(a) 4., (h), (19) (j) and (20) to (26) Register October 2008 No. 634, eff.
11-1-08; corrections in (3) (a), (11) (h) and (20) made under s.
13.92(4)
(b) 1 and 7., Stats., Register October 2008
No. 634; 2013 Wis. Act 278: cons. and renum. (13) (a) (intro.) and 2. to (13)
(a) and am., r. (13) (a) 1., am. (13) (b), cr. (13) (c) Register May 2014 No.
701, eff. 6-1-14.
The amendment to sub. (4) (g) and creation of sub. (18)
first applies to any tax qualified long term policy solicited in Wisconsin
after December 31, 1996.
CR 08-032 first applies to policies or certificates issued on
or after January 1, 2009 or on the first renewal date on or after January 1,
2009, but no later than January 1, 2010 for collectively bargained policies or
certificates.