Life and Health News
May 2026
Welcome to our latest newsletter! As a thought leader in the Insurance Industry for over 50 years, we are always excited to share the latest sampling of insurance compliance related bulletins, regulations, and legislative activity. Please feel free to share this newsletter with others that may be interested. Contact Us with any questions on the items in this newsletter or with any other compliance related matter we can assist you with. Enjoy!
ADVERTISING / SALES & MARKETING
Colorado updated regulations which establish minimum standards for the advertising of accident and sickness insurance and ensure accurate descriptions of policy benefits. Colorado requires clear disclosure of benefits, limitations, and exclusions and sets standards to prevent unfair, deceptive, or misleading advertising by insurers and producers. 3 CCR 702 Regulation 4-2-3 s 4
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Maine established uniform requirements and deadlines for rate, form, and Qualified Health Plan filings for non-grandfathered individual and small group health plans, including standalone dental plans, for 2027 coverage. Bulletin 493
Michigan established 2027 plan year certification and recertification requirements for Stand-Alone Dental Plans in the individual and small group markets, both on- and off-Marketplace. Michigan outlines standards for SADPs to ensure compliance with regulatory and Marketplace requirements. Bulletin 2026-12-INS
Michigan outlines 2027 form and rate filing requirements for medical plans, including certification and recertification standards for Qualified Health Plans offered on- and off-Marketplace. Michigan establishes submission timelines, templates, and compliance requirements covering rates, network adequacy, essential health benefits, cost sharing, and consumer protections. Bulletin 2026-14-INS
New Hampshire provides 2027 Plan Year guidance for health and dental insurers seeking certification as Qualified Health Plans on and off the federal exchange, as well as for non-QHPs. New Hampshire outlines compliance requirements to promote market stability and ensure consistent regulatory filings. Bulletin INS 26-019-AB
AGENT / PRODUCER LICENSING AND APPOINTMENT
Arkansas announces the 2026 company appointment renewal process for insurance producers, applying to all licensed insurers and related entities operating in the state. Arkansas establishes requirements and deadlines for renewing and terminating producer and agency appointments. Bulletin 5-2026
BENEFICIARY
Colorado enacted legislation concerning the payment of designated benefits to charitable organizations upon the death of a donor. SB 118; 15-15-104
Nebraska clarifies that transfer-on-death provisions for annuities, POD accounts, beneficiary securities, and profit-sharing plans are non-testamentary. Nebraska confirms these transfers occur outside of probate and are not treated as testamentary dispositions. LB 758
CAPTIVES
Alabama introduces new captive insurer requirements relating to financial accounts, approved service providers, biographical disclosures, plans of operation, ownership information, and commissioner approval of material changes. Alabama also increases minimum capital and surplus requirements, expands the commissioner’s review considerations, and requires annual GAAP-audited financial statements and actuarial reserve certifications. HB 415
CLAIMS / CLAIMS ISSUES
Maryland reminds insurers and third-party administrators that downcoding practices are prohibited under Insurance Article § 15-1005. Maryland prohibits modifying provider-submitted service codes without first obtaining supporting information. Uniform reductions without review of documentation are not permitted. Bulletin 26-9
CONFIDENTIALITY / PRIVACY
New Jersey enacts the Privacy Protection Act to limit government collection and disclosure of personal information to what is necessary for eligibility, public services, or legal requirements, and mandates strict data security and policy updates. New Jersey also restricts disclosure of such information under the Open Public Records Act, establishes notice and enforcement provisions, and imposes similar limits and consent requirements on health care facilities with penalties for violations. AB 4070
CYBERSECURITY
Delaware warns licensed insurance professionals of a phishing campaign involving fraudulent emails posing as past-due invoices from organizations such as the National Insurance Producer Registry. Delaware provides guidance on identifying suspicious messages and recommends protective measures to avoid malicious links and unauthorized payments. Producers and Adjusters Bulletin 41
DENTAL INSURANCE
Idaho creates Chapter 33 on dentistry within Title 54, establishing definitions, governance, licensing, and practice standards for denturists. Idaho also requires dental health insurance policies to cover denturist services when provided within the lawful scope of practice. HB 935
Mississippi establishes the Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act to improve oversight of dental insurance premiums and spending. Mississippi requires dental carriers to calculate dental loss ratios and submit annual reports to the Department of Insurance by June 30. HB 1117
DISCRIMINATION
Alabama enacted legislation to prohibit insurers from discriminating against living organ donors in life, disability, and long-term care insurance policies. The state bars insurers from denying coverage, limiting terms, or imposing conditions based solely on donor status unless justified by actuarial risk. HB 361
ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS
Maine clarifies the prohibition on charging fees for opting out of electronic billing statements while allowing reasonable fees for specific nonroutine or customized statement requests. Maine also defines “billing statement” and requires that any permitted fees be fully disclosed and authorized by the customer in advance. SP 847
FRAUD / ANTI-FRAUD
Nebraska warns insurance agents of a phishing campaign impersonating the National Insurance Producer Registry, using fraudulent emails that claim past-due invoices. Nebraska advises that these messages may appear to come from trusted domains but are not legitimate and should be treated as suspicious. Notice of 4/10/26
HEALTH INSURANCE - COMPREHENSIVE
Illinois provides guidance to ensure uniform application of biomarker testing coverage required under 215 ILCS 5/356z.46. Illinois clarifies that coverage must include a broad range of biomarker testing methods and be performed in a way that delivers complete, medically appropriate results without unnecessary delays or repeat procedures. Bulletin 2026-5
Kentucky requires health benefit plans to cover prostheses and orthoses at levels at least equivalent to federal standards for the aged and disabled. Kentucky also mandates coverage for medically necessary devices, related materials, training, and repairs or replacements, while allowing cost sharing that is not applied solely to these benefits. SB 97
Maine expands coverage requirements for early detection of prostate cancer and prohibits insurers from imposing deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost sharing for these services. These requirements apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. HP 986
Maine expands health insurance coverage for vaccines by requiring policies to cover immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. HP 1384
Maine requires health insurance carriers to cover blood testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. SP 265
HIV
DC updates the Prohibition of Discrimination in the Provision of Insurance Act of 1986 to prohibit insurers from using HIV prevention treatment, including PrEP and PEP, in underwriting decisions for disability, life, or long-term care policies. I-B 159
Maine permits disclosure of HIV test results to a designated health care provider without requiring written patient authorization. Maine also allows providers to share HIV-related information with other providers involved in a patient’s care solely for the purpose of delivering medical or dental treatment. HP 1314
New Hampshire amended regulations governing the confidentiality of HIV test information. Regulation 1101.01
HOLDING COMPANIES
DC amends the Holding Company System Act of 1993 to update group capital calculation requirements for insurance holding company system solvency supervision. DC also adds a liquidity stress test requirement to support macroprudential surveillance. B 426
INSURER INVESTMENTS / SECURITIES
Idaho amends Section 41-735 to clarify permissible miscellaneous investments. SB 1262
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY SOLICITATION
Arizona amends Rule R20-6-209 to align with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Regulation #580 and recent legislative changes governing life insurance illustrations. Reg. R20-6-209
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE
Maryland requires insurers issuing Medicare supplement policies to offer coverage to eligible individuals through two 63-day special enrollment periods. Maryland establishes these enrollment windows to ensure access for individuals meeting specified criteria. HB 275
MISCELLANEOUS
California reminds insurers, producers, adjusters, and other licensees and applicants to report any changes in background information to the Department of Insurance within 30 days of becoming aware of the change. California requires written disclosure through the Department’s online form. Notice dated 3/20/26
Florida adopts and incorporates by reference the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Market Regulation Handbook 2025. Florida updates the prior adoption of the 2023 handbook to reflect the latest NAIC standards for market regulation. FAC Rule 690-142.012
MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH / ACCIDENT
Delaware clarifies step therapy exception requirements to ensure consistent application of statutory exclusions and reinforce a patient-centered framework. Delaware requires carriers to maintain accessible exception processes, defines clinical circumstances for granting exceptions, and preserves provider authority to override step therapy when medically inappropriate. Domestic and Foreign Insurers Bulletin 165
Maine amended the act that clarifies that health insurers must comply with plan sponsors' statutory rights to audit claims and data requests related to those audits. The changes enacted concern liability for disclosure of protected information, clarifies who is an administrator, and confidentiality of specified information. SP 135
NONFORFEITURE
Iowa amended Section 508.38 to specify that the section shall not apply to certain types of annuities and contracts. SF 2215
Kansas updates its nonforfeiture law to address contingent deferred annuities by exempting them from certain provisions. HB 2540
PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS
Kansas creates the Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act to regulate pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy auditing entities through audit standards, registration and reporting requirements, transparency, reimbursement obligations, and regulatory oversight. SB 20
PREMIUM TAX
Kentucky provides guidance for the 2026–2027 Local Government Premium Tax cycle, outlining updated forms, filing requirements, adjudication standards, and local tax rate changes for insurers. Kentucky clarifies reporting obligations and administrative procedures to ensure proper compliance. Bulletin 2026-2
PRE-NEED CONTRACTS
Alabama increases fees for certificates of authority to sell preneed contracts, raises branch and agent registration costs, and requires annual statements and activity reports with penalties for noncompliance. SB 107
REINSURANCE
Kansas clarifies that nonpublic information submitted by certified reinsurers is not subject to disclosure under the Kansas Open Records Act and must be withheld from public release. Kansas also removes the prior sunset provision, ensuring that these confidentiality protections do not expire absent legislative review. HB 2519
THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS
Maryland revises the regulation of third-party administrators by expanding the grounds for denial, nonrenewal, suspension, or revocation of registration. HB 277
TRADE PRACTICES
Colorado establishes requirements for insurers and producers offering value-added products or services, including limits on noncash gifts. Colorado also requires specified filings with the Division of Insurance, mandates oversight of pilot programs to prevent unfair discrimination, and requires follow-up evidence after one year of operation. Reg 3 CCR 702 Reg. 1-1-11
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
Maine amended the Maine Revised Unclaimed Property Act. Changes include clarification of when certain accounts are considered abandoned, when virtual currency is presumed abandoned, and other modifications. HP 1313