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LEADERSHIP AGENDA

OPERATIONAL SCAN

DEPARTMENT PERFORMANCE

Commerce - Insurance

Susan Voss, Commissioner

Mission Statement:
The Iowa Insurance Division shall protect consumers through consumer education and by effectively and efficiently providing a fair, flexible and positive regulatory environment.

Resolving complaints
Making sure insurance companies are financially sound
Medicare beneficiary counseling contacts

•  Performance Plan - How we measure our progress


•  Strategic Plan - How we plan for progress
•  Performance Report - How we report our progress


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Why this is important:
Iowa consumers depend upon insurance coverage for a variety of needs in their lives. From auto coverage following an accident to health insurance coverage in times of hospitalization, insurance provides consumers with necessary protection and assistance at critical times in their lives.


What we're doing about this:
To make sure that Iowa consumers receive the assistance they need, we have streamlined the consumer complaint process. Trained personnel answer phones throughout the day to get consumers information immediately. Complaints are now received through our web site and investigators and staff attorneys review complaints daily. Follow up cards are sent to consumers we have assisted to see if we did help them and how we can improve upon our services.

Why this is important:
To protect consumers and insure that they have coverage that will help them when needed. It is important to have financially sound companies doing business in the state of Iowa. By examining a company's finances once every 5 years (or more as needed) the state can identify companies that need to address issues of soundness and solvency.


What we're doing about this:
The Division is required to examine each company once every 5 years or more if necessary. The Division staff examines all companies domiciled in Iowa on a regular basis. We train staff with the latest in financial information from the experts in their fields. Along with ongoing training, the Division interacts with financial regulators from other states and agencies to monitor companies doing business in the State of Iowa. Iowa has 209 companies located (domiciled) in Iowa.

Why this is important:
Iowa has over 500,000 people on Medicare. Every year over 20,000 Iowans become eligible for Medicare, need to learn about and enroll in the program (Parts A, B, C, and/or D). They also need to learn about insurance that supplements Medicare. For those already on Medicare, the complexity of the program results in many questions and need for assistance with the annual opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans. SHIIP was created to assist any Medicare beneficiary with questions and problems they have related to Medicare and supplemental health insurance.

What we're doing about this:
Every year SHIIP trains new volunteer counselors to staff local SHIIP sites in counties across the state. Their services are free, confidential and objective. Our goal is to serve beneficiaries in all counties. To assure we assist as many people as possible, we have volunteers that travel to neighboring counties if a local counselor is not available. We also have a consumer 800# staffed daily to assist individuals. We hold special events during the Medicare Part D annual election period. A special informational mailing is sent to Iowans three months before they turn 65 and become Medicare eligible. We have a speakers bureau which provides educational seminars around the state, including a Welcome to Medicare seminar. Special funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has included special efforts are directed at reaching out to low income and Mentally disabled Iowans.

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