Chapter 200. Rules Governing Long-Term Care Insurance
14VAC5-200-10. Purpose.
This chapter is designed to:
1. Promote the public interest;
2. Promote the availability of long-term care insurance coverage;
3. Protect applicants for long- term care insurance from unfair or deceptive sales or enrollment practices;
4. Promote public understanding and comparison of long-term care insurance coverage; and
5. Promote flexibility and innovation in the development of long-term care Insurance.
Statutory Authority
§§ 38.2-223 and 38.2-5200 through 38.2-5208 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 2, eff. January 1, 1992.
14VAC5-200-20. (Repealed)
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 3, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; repealed Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-30. Applicability and scope.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, this chapter applies to all long-term care insurance policies delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this Commonwealth, on or after September 1, 2015, by insurers, fraternal benefit societies, health services plans, health maintenance organizations, or any other similar organization.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223, and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 4, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-40. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant" means in the case of an individual long-term care insurance policy, the person who seeks to contract for such benefits, or in the case of a group long-term care insurance policy, the proposed certificateholder.
"Certificate" means any certificate or evidence of coverage issued under a group long-term care insurance policy, which policy has been delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth.
"Commission" means the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
"Exceptional increase" means only those increases filed by an insurer and identified as exceptional for which the commission determines the need for the premium rate increase is justified (i) due to changes in laws or regulations applicable to long-term care coverage in this Commonwealth, or (ii) due to increased and unexpected utilization that affects the majority of insurers of similar products. Except as provided in 14VAC5-200-153, exceptional increases are subject to the same requirements as other premium rate schedule increases. The commission, in determining that the necessary basis for an exceptional increase exists, shall also determine any potential offsets to higher claims costs.
"Expected loss ratio" means the ratio of the present value of future benefits to the present value of future premiums over the entire period of the contract.
"Group long-term care insurance" means a long-term care insurance policy which complies with § 38.2-3521.1 or 38.2-3522.1 of the Code of Virginia delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth.
"Incidental," as used in 14VAC5-200-153 J, means that the value of the long-term care benefits provided is less than 10% of the total value of the benefits provided over the life of the policy. These values shall be measured as of the date of issue.
"Insurer" means any insurance company, health services plan, fraternal benefit society, health maintenance organization, or any other similar organization.
"Long-term care insurance" means any insurance policy or rider primarily 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, personal care, mental health or substance abuse services, provided in a setting other than an acute care unit of a hospital. Such term includes group and individual annuities and life insurance policies or riders which provide directly or which supplement long-term care insurance issued by insurers. Such term also includes a policy or rider which provides for payment of benefits based upon cognitive impairment or the loss of functional capacity. Long-term care insurance shall not include any insurance policy which is offered primarily to provide basic Medicare supplement coverage, basic hospital expense coverage, basic medical-surgical expense coverage, hospital confinement indemnity coverage, major medical expense coverage, disability income or related asset-protection coverage, accident only coverage, specified disease or specified accident coverage, or limited benefit health coverage. With regard to life insurance, this term does not include life insurance policies which accelerate the death benefit in accordance with § 38.2-3115.1 of the Code of Virginia specifically for one or more of the qualifying events of terminal illness, medical conditions requiring extraordinary medical intervention, or permanent institutional confinement, and which provide the option of a lump-sum payment for those benefits and in which neither the benefits nor the eligibility for the benefits is conditioned upon the receipt of long-term care. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, any product advertised, marketed or offered as long-term care insurance shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. Health maintenance organizations, cooperative nonprofit life benefit companies and mutual assessment life, accident and sickness insurers shall apply to the commission for approval to provide long-term care insurance prior to issuing this type of coverage.
"Policy" means any individual or group policy of insurance, contract, subscriber agreement, certificate, rider or endorsement delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth by an insurer.
"Qualified actuary" means a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
"Qualified long-term care insurance contract" or "federally tax-qualified long-term care insurance contract" means:
1. An individual or group insurance contract that meets the requirements of § 7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 USC § 7702B(b)), as follows:
a. The only insurance protection provided under the contract is coverage of qualified long-term care services. A contract shall not fail to satisfy the requirements of this subdivision by reason of payments being made on a per diem or other periodic basis without regard to the expenses incurred during the period to which the payments relate;
b. The contract does not pay or reimburse expenses incurred for services or items to the extent that the expenses are reimbursable under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 USC § 1395 et seq.), or would be so reimbursable but for the application of a deductible or coinsurance amount. The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to expenses that are reimbursable under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act only as a secondary payor. A contract shall not fail to satisfy the requirements of the subdivision by reason of payments being made on a per diem or other periodic basis without regard to the expenses incurred during the period to which the payments relate;
c. The contract is guaranteed renewable within the meaning of § 7702B(b)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
d. The contract does not provide for a cash surrender value or other money that can be paid, assigned, pledged as collateral for a loan, or borrowed except as provided in subdivision 1 e of this definition;
e. All refunds of premiums and all policyholder dividends or similar amounts under the contract are to be applied as a reduction in future premiums or to increase future benefits, except that a refund on the event of death of the insured or a complete surrender or cancellation of the contract cannot exceed the aggregate premiums paid under the contract; and
f. The contract meets the consumer protection provisions set forth in § 7702B(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and this chapter; or
2. The portion of a life insurance contract that provides long-term care insurance coverage by rider or as part of the contract that satisfies the requirements of § 7702B(b) and (e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
"Similar policy forms" means all of the long-term care insurance policies and certificates issued by an insurer in the same long-term care benefit classification as the policy form being considered. Certificates of groups as set forth in subsections A and C of § 38.2-3521.1 of the Code of Virginia are not considered similar to certificates or policies otherwise issued as long-term care insurance, but are similar to other comparable certificates with the same long-term care benefit classifications. For purposes of determining similar policy forms, long-term care benefit classifications are defined as follows: institutional long-term care benefits only, noninstitutional long-term care benefits only, or comprehensive long-term care benefits.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223, and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 5, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-50. Policy definitions.
No long-term care insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth shall use the terms set forth below, unless the terms are defined in the policy and the definitions satisfy the following requirements:
"Activities of daily living" means at least bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting and transferring.
"Acute condition" means that the individual is medically unstable. Such an individual requires frequent monitoring by medical professionals, such as physicians and registered nurses, in order to maintain his or her health status.
"Adult day care" means a program for six or more individuals, of social and health-related services provided during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting frail, impaired elderly or other disabled adults who can benefit from care in a group setting outside the home.
"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.
"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.
"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).
"Dressing" means putting on and taking off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners or artificial limbs.
"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.
"Hands-on assistance" means physical assistance (minimal, moderate or maximal) without which the individual would not be able to perform the activity of daily living.
"Home health care services" means medical and nonmedical 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.
"Medicaid" means the program administered in accordance with Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia.
"Medicare" means "The Health Insurance for the Aged Act, Title XVIII of the Social Security Amendments of 1965" (42 USC § 1395 et seq.), or "Title 1, Part I of Public Law 89-97, as enacted by the Eighty-Ninth Congress of the United States of America and popularly known as the Health Insurance for the Aged Act" (Public Law 89-97 79 Stat. 286 July 30, 1965), or words of similar import.
"Mental or nervous disorder" shall not be defined to include more than neurosis, psychoneurosis, psychopathy, psychosis, or mental or emotional disease or disorder.
"Personal care" means the provision of hands-on services to assist an individual with activities of daily living.
"Skilled nursing care," "personal care," "home health 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 must be delivered.
"Toileting" means getting to and from the toilet, getting on and off the toilet, and performing associated personal hygiene.
"Transferring" means moving into or out of a bed, chair or wheelchair.
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 facility," and "home health care agency," shall be defined in relation to the services and facilities required to be available and the licensure 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 must 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 provider of services under another name.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 6, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-60. Policy practices and provisions.
A. Renewability. The terms "guaranteed renewable" and "noncancellable" shall not be used in any individual long-term care insurance policy without further explanatory language in accordance with the disclosure requirements of 14VAC5-200-70.
1. A policy issued to an individual shall not contain renewal provisions other than "guaranteed renewable" or " noncancellable."
2. The term "guaranteed renewable" may be used only when the insured has the right to continue the long-term care insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums and when the insurer has no unilateral right to make any change in any provision of the policy or rider while the insurance is in force, and cannot decline to renew, except that rates may be revised by the insurer on a class basis.
3. The term "noncancellable" may be used only when the insured has the right to continue the long-term care insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums during which period the insurer has no unilateral right to make any change in any provision of the insurance or in the premium rate.
4. The term "level premium" may only be used when the insurer does not have the right to change the premium.
5. In addition to the other requirements of this subsection, a qualified long-term care insurance contract shall be guaranteed renewable within the meaning of § 7702B (b)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
B. Limitations and exclusions. A policy may not be delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth as long-term care insurance if such policy limits or excludes coverage by type of illness, treatment, medical condition or accident, except as follows:
1. Preexisting conditions or diseases, subject to subsection B of § 38.2-5204 of the Code of Virginia.
2. Mental or nervous disorders; however, this shall not permit exclusion or limitation of benefits on the basis of Alzheimer's Disease, senile dementia, organic brain disorder or other similar diagnoses.
3. Alcoholism and drug addiction.
4. Illness, treatment or medical condition arising out of:
a. War or act of war (whether declared or undeclared);
b. Participation in a felony, riot or insurrection;
c. Service in the armed forces or units auxiliary thereto;
d. Suicide (sane or insane), attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury; or
e. Aviation (this exclusion applies only to nonfare-paying passengers).
5. Treatment provided in a government facility (unless otherwise required by law), services for which benefits are available under Medicare or other governmental program (except Medicaid), any state or federal workers' compensation, employer's liability or occupational disease law, or any motor vehicle no-fault law, services provided by a member of the covered person's immediate family and services for which no charge is normally made in the absence of insurance.
6. Expenses for services or items available or paid under another long-term care insurance or health insurance policy.
7. 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 Title XVIII of the Social Security Act or would be so reimbursable but for the application of a deductible or coinsurance amount.
8. a. This subsection is not intended to prohibit exclusions and limitations by type of provider. However, no long-term care issuer may deny a claim because services are provided in a state other than the state of policy issued under the following conditions:
(1) When the 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; or
(2) When the state other than the state of policy issue licenses, certifies or registers the provider under another name.
b. For purposes of this section, "state of policy issue" means the state in which the individual policy or certificate was originally issued.
9. This subsection is not intended to prohibit territorial limitations.
C. Extension of benefits. Termination of long-term care insurance shall be without prejudice to any benefits payable for institutionalization if such institutionalization began while the long-term care insurance was in force and continues without interruption after termination. Such extension of benefits beyond the period the long-term care insurance was in force 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 waiting period, and all other applicable provisions of the policy.
D. Continuation or conversion.
1. Group long-term care insurance issued in this Commonwealth shall provide covered individuals with a basis for continuation of coverage or a basis for conversion of coverage.
2. For the purposes of this chapter, "a basis for continuation of coverage" means a policy provision which maintains coverage under the existing group policy when such coverage would otherwise terminate and is subject only to the continued timely payment of premium when due. Group policies which restrict provision of benefits and services to, or contain incentives to use, certain providers and/or facilities may provide continuation benefits which are substantially equivalent to the benefits of the existing group policy. The substantial equivalency of benefits is subject to review by the commission, and in doing so, the commission shall take into consideration the differences between managed care and non-managed care plans, including, but not limited to, provider system arrangements, service availability, benefit levels and administrative complexity.
3. For the purposes of this chapter, "a basis for conversion of coverage" means a policy provision stating that an individual whose coverage under the group policy would otherwise terminate or has been terminated for any reason, including discontinuance of the group policy in its entirety or with respect to an insured class, and who has been continuously insured under the group policy (and any group policy which it replaced) for at least six months immediately prior to termination, shall be entitled to the issuance of a converted policy by the insurer under whose group policy he or she is covered, without evidence of insurability.
4. For the purposes of this chapter, "converted policy" means an individual policy of long-term care insurance providing benefits identical to or benefits determined by the commission to be substantially equivalent to or in excess of those provided under the group policy from which conversion is made. Where the group policy from which conversion is made restricts provision of benefits and services to, or contains incentives to use, certain providers and/or facilities, the insurer, in making a determination as to the substantial equivalency of benefits, shall take into consideration the differences between managed care and non-managed care plans, including, but not limited to, provider system arrangements, service availability, benefit levels and administrative complexity. The determination of substantial equivalency is subject to review by the commission.
5. Written application for the converted policy shall be made and the first premium due, if any, shall be paid as directed by the insurer not later than 31 days after termination of coverage under the group policy. The converted policy shall be issued effective on the day following the termination of coverage under the group policy and shall be renewable annually.
6. Unless the group policy from which conversion is made replaced previous group coverage, the premium for the converted policy shall be calculated on the basis of the insured's age at inception of coverage under the group policy from which conversion is made. Where the group policy from which conversion is made replaced previous group coverage, the premium for the converted policy shall be calculated on the basis of the insured's age at inception of coverage under the initial group policy replaced.
7. Continuation of coverage or issuance of a converted policy shall be mandatory, except where:
a. Termination of group coverage resulted from an individual's failure to make any required payment of premium or contribution when due; or
b. The terminating coverage is replaced, as to an individual insured, not later than 31 days after termination, by group coverage effective on the day following the termination of coverage:
(1) Providing benefits identical to or benefits substantially equivalent to or in excess of those provided by the terminating coverage; and
(2) The premium for which is calculated in a manner consistent with the requirements of subdivision 6 of this subsection. The determination of substantial equivalency is subject to review by the commission.
8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a converted policy issued to an individual who at the time of conversion is covered by another long-term care insurance policy which provides benefits on the basis of incurred expenses may contain a provision which results in a reduction of benefits payable if the benefits provided under the additional coverage, together with the full benefits provided by the converted policy, would result in payment of more than 100% of incurred expenses. Such provision shall only be included in the converted policy if the converted policy also provides for a premium decrease or refund which reflects the reduction in benefits payable.
9. The converted policy may provide that the benefits payable under the converted policy, together with the benefits payable under the group policy from which conversion is made, shall not exceed those that would have been payable had the individual's coverage under the group policy remained in force and effect.
10. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any insured individual whose eligibility for group long-term care coverage is based upon his or her relationship to another person shall be entitled to continuation of coverage under the group policy upon termination of the qualifying relationship by death or dissolution of marriage.
11. For the purposes of this chapter, a "Managed Care Plan" is a health care or assisted living arrangement designed to coordinate patient care or control costs through utilization review, case management or use of specific provider networks.
E. Discontinuance and replacement. If a group long-term care policy is replaced by another group long-term care policy issued to the same policyholder, the succeeding insurer shall offer coverage to all persons covered under the previous group policy on its date of termination. Coverage provided or offered to individuals by the insurer and premiums charged to persons under the new group policy:
1. Shall not result in any exclusion for preexisting conditions that would have been covered under the group policy being replaced; and
2. Shall not vary or otherwise depend on the individual's health or disability status, claim experience or use of long-term care services.
F. Premium increases.
1. The premium charged to an insured shall not increase due to either:
a. The increasing age of the insured at ages beyond age 65; or
b. The duration the insured has been covered under the policy.
2. The purchase of additional coverage shall not be considered a premium rate increase, but for purposes of the calculation required under 14VAC5-200-185, the portion of the premium attributable to the additional coverage shall be added to and considered part of the initial annual premium.
3. A reduction in benefits shall not be considered a premium change, but for purposes of the calculation under 14VAC5-200-185, the initial annual premium shall be based on the reduced benefits.
G. Prior hospitalization. In addition to the provisions of § 38.2-5205 of the Code of Virginia, no long-term care insurance policy may be delivered or issued for delivery in the Commonwealth if the policy conditions eligibility for any benefits other than waiver of premium, post-confinement, post-acute care or recuperative benefits on a prior institutionalization requirement.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 7, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-65. Unintentional lapse.
A. Each insurer offering long-term care insurance shall, as a protection against unintentional lapse, comply with the following:
1. Notice before lapse or termination. No individual long-term care policy or certificate shall be issued until the insurer has received from the applicant either a written designation of at least one person, in addition to the applicant, who is to receive 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. The applicant has the right to designate at least one person who is to receive the notice of termination, in addition to the insured. Designation shall not constitute acceptance of any liability on the third party for services provided to the insured. The form used for the written designation must provide space clearly designated for listing at least one person. The designation shall include each person's full name and home address. In the case of an applicant who elects not to designate an additional person, the waiver shall state: "Protection against unintended lapse. I understand that I have the right to designate at least one person other than myself to receive notice of lapse or termination of this long-term care insurance 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 a person to receive this notice."
The insurer shall notify the insured in writing of the right to change this written designation, no less often than once every two years.
2. When the policyholder or certificateholder pays premium for a long-term care insurance policy or certificate through a payroll or pension deduction plan, the requirements contained in subdivision 1 of this subsection need not be met until 60 days after the policyholder or certificateholder is no longer on such a payment plan. The application or enrollment form for such policies or certificates shall clearly indicate the payment plan selected by the applicant.
3. Lapse or termination for nonpayment of premium. No individual long-term 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 persons designated pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection, at the address provided by the insured for purposes of receiving notice of lapse or termination. No notice shall be effective unless it has been mailed in accordance with one of the following:
a. The notice is sent by certified mail, or the insurer obtains a certificate of mailing by the United States Postal Service;
b. The notice is sent by a commercial delivery service, and the insurer obtains at the time of mailing a written receipt from the service showing the date of mailing, the number of items mailed, and the name and address of the insured and those persons designated pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection to whom the notice was mailed; or
c. The notice is sent by first-class United States mail, and the insurer obtains at the time of mailing a written receipt from the United States Postal Service showing the date of mailing, the number of items mailed, and the name and address of the insured and those persons designated pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection to whom the notice was mailed.
Notification shall also be provided to the agent of record of the insured, if any, within 72 hours after the notice has been mailed to the insured and those persons designated pursuant to subdivision 1 of this subsection.
There is a presumption that notice is delivered five days after the date of mailing, as evidenced in the written receipt obtained by the insurer pursuant to subdivision 3 a, b, or c of this subsection. The insurer shall retain any and all evidence of mailing the notice, including the list of recipients, as applicable, and a copy of the notice, for at least three years following the date of notice. Notice may not be given until 30 days after a premium is due and unpaid.
B. Reinstatement. In addition to the requirement in subsection A of this section, a long-term care insurance policy or certificate shall include a provision that provides for reinstatement of coverage in the event of lapse if the insurer is provided proof that the policyholder or certificateholder was cognitively impaired or had a loss of functional capacity before the grace period contained in the policy expired. This option shall be available to the insured if requested within five months after termination and shall allow for the collection of past due premium, where appropriate. The standard of proof of cognitive impairment or loss of functional capacity shall not be more stringent than the benefit eligibility criteria on cognitive impairment or the loss of functional capacity contained in the policy and certificate.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 22, eff. January 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-70. Required disclosure provisions.
A. Renewability. Individual long-term care insurance policies shall contain a renewability provision.
1. The provision shall be appropriately captioned, shall appear on the first page of the policy, and shall clearly state that the coverage is guaranteed renewable or noncancellable. This subsection shall not apply to policies that do not contain a renewability provision and under which the right to renew is reserved solely to the policyholder.
2. A long-term care insurance policy or certificate, other than one where the insurer does not have the right to change the premium, shall include a clear and prominent statement in bold type and all capital letters that the premium rates may be increased.
B. Riders and endorsements. 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, all riders or endorsements added to an individual long-term care insurance policy after date of issue or at reinstatement or renewal which reduce or eliminate benefits or coverage in the policy shall require signed acceptance by the individual insured. After the date of policy issue, any rider or endorsement which 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, such premium charge shall be set forth in the policy, rider or endorsement.
C. Payment of benefits. A long-term care insurance policy which provides for the payment of benefits based on standards described as "usual and customary," "reasonable and customary" or words of similar import shall include a definition of such terms and an explanation of such terms in its accompanying outline of coverage.
D. Limitations. If a long-term care insurance policy or certificate contains any limitations with respect to preexisting conditions, such limitations shall appear as a separate paragraph of the policy or certificate and shall be labeled as "Preexisting Condition Limitations."
E. Other limitations or conditions on eligibility for benefits. A long-term care insurance policy or certificate containing post-confinement, post-acute care or recuperative benefits, or any limitations or conditions for eligibility other than those prohibited in § 38.2-5205 A of the Code of Virginia shall set forth a description of such limitations or conditions, including any required number of days of confinement prior to receipt of benefits, in a separate paragraph of the policy or certificate and shall label such paragraph "Limitations or Conditions on Eligibility for Benefits."
F. Disclosure of tax consequences. With regard to life insurance policies which 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.
G. Benefit triggers. Activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be used to measure an insured's need for long-term care and shall be described in the policy or certificate in a separate paragraph and shall be labeled "Eligibility for the Payment of Benefits." Any additional benefit triggers shall also be explained in this section. If these triggers differ for different benefits, explanation of the trigger shall accompany each benefit description. If an attending physician or other specified person must certify a certain level of functional dependency in order to be eligible for benefits, this too shall be specified.
H. A qualified long-term care insurance contract shall include a disclosure statement in the policy and in the outline of coverage as contained in 14VAC5-200-200 that the policy is a qualified long-term care insurance contract under § 7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
I. A nonqualified long-term care insurance contract shall include a disclosure statement in the policy and in the outline of coverage as contained in 14VAC5-200-200 that the policy is not intended to be a qualified long-term care insurance contract.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 8, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-75. Required disclosure of rating practices to consumer.
A. Other than policies for which no applicable premium rate or rate schedule increases can be made, insurers shall provide all of the information listed in this subsection to the applicant at the time of application or enrollment, unless the method of application does not allow for delivery at that time. In such a case, an insurer shall provide all of the information listed in this section to the applicant no later than at the time of delivery of the policy or certificate.
1. A statement that the policy may be subject to rate increases in the future;
2. An explanation of potential future premium rate revisions, and the policyholder's or 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. A description of when premium rate or rate schedule adjustments will be effective (e.g., next anniversary date, next billing date, etc.); and
b. The right to a revised premium rate or rate schedule as provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection if the premium rate or rate schedule is changed;
5. a. Information regarding each premium rate increase on this policy form or similar policy forms over the past 10 years for this Commonwealth or any other state that, at a minimum, identifies:
(1) The policy forms for which premium rates have been increased;
(2) The calendar years when the form was available for purchase; and
(3) 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.
b. The insurer may, in a fair manner, provide additional explanatory information related to the rate increases.
c. 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.
d. If an acquiring insurer files for a rate increase on a long-term care policy form or a block of policy forms acquired from nonaffiliated insurers 24 months or more following the acquisition of the policy form or the block of policies, the acquiring insurer may exclude that rate increase from the disclosure. However, the nonaffiliated selling company shall include the disclosure of that rate increase in accordance with subdivision 5 a of this subsection.
e. If the acquiring insurer in subdivision 5 d of this subsection files for a subsequent rate increase, even within the 24-month period, on the same policy form acquired from nonaffiliated insurers or block of policy forms acquired from nonaffiliated insurers referenced in subdivision 5 d of this subsection, the acquiring insurer shall make all disclosures required by subdivision 5 of this subsection, including disclosure of the earlier rate increase referenced in subdivision 5 d of this subsection.
B. An applicant shall sign an acknowledgment at the time of application, unless the method of application does not allow for signature at that time, that the insurer made the disclosure required under subdivisions A 1 and 5 of this section. If due to the method of application the applicant cannot sign an acknowledgment at the time of application, the applicant shall sign no later than at the time of delivery of the policy or certificate. The insurer shall maintain copies of the signed acknowledgment for the duration of the policy or certificate.
C. An insurer shall use Forms B and F to comply with the requirements of subsections A and B of this section.
D. An insurer shall provide notice of an upcoming premium rate schedule increase to all policyholders or certificateholders, if applicable, at least 75 days prior to the implementation of the premium rate schedule increase by the insurer. Such notice shall be filed with the commission at the time the premium rate increase is filed. The notice shall include at least the following information:
1. All applicable information identified in subsection A of this section when the rate increase is implemented;
2. A clear explanation of options available to the policyholder as alternatives to paying the increased premium amount, including:
a. An offer to reduce policy benefits provided by the current coverage consistent with the requirements of 14VAC5-200-183;
b. A disclosure stating that all options available to the policyholder may not be of equal value;
c. In the case of a partnership policy, a disclosure that some benefit reduction options may result in a loss in partnership status that may reduce policyholder protections; and
d. Contact information that will allow the policyholder to contact the insurer for additional options available;
3. A clear identification of the driving factors of the premium rate increase; and
4. A statement substantially similar to the following:
The rate increase request was reviewed by the commission and was found to be compliant with applicable Virginia laws and regulations addressing long-term care insurance. All premium rate filings are available for public inspection and may be accessed online through the Virginia Bureau of Insurance's webpage at https://scc.virginia.gov/boi/SERFFInquiry/LtcFilings.aspx.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015; Volume 36, Issue 22, eff. June 22, 2020.
14VAC5-200-77. Initial filing requirements.
A. This section shall apply to any long-term care policy form filed with the commission on or after September 1, 2015.
B. An insurer shall provide the information listed in this section to the commission and receive approval of the form prior to making a long-term care insurance form available for sale.
1. A copy of the disclosure documents required in 14VAC5-200-75; and
2. An actuarial certification consisting of at least the following:
a. A statement that the initial premium rate schedule is sufficient to cover anticipated costs under moderately adverse experience and that the premium rate schedule is reasonably expected to be sustainable over the life of the form with no future premium increases anticipated;
b. An explanation for supporting subdivision 2 a of this subsection, including (i) a description of the margin for moderately adverse experience that is included in the premium rates and (ii) a description of the testing of pricing assumptions that was done to support the conclusion that the filed premium rates are sustainable over the life of the form;
c. A statement that the policy design and coverage provided have been reviewed and taken into consideration;
d. A statement that the underwriting and claims adjudication processes have been reviewed and taken into consideration;
e. A statement that the premiums contain at least the minimum margin for moderately adverse experience defined in subdivision 2 e (1) of this subsection or the specification of and justification for a lower margin required by subdivision 2 e (2) of this subsection.
(1) A composite margin shall not be less than 10% of lifetime claims.
(2) A composite margin that is less than 10% may be justified in uncommon circumstances. The proposed amount, full justification of the proposed amount, and methods to monitor developing experience that would be the basis for withdrawal of approval for such lower margins shall be submitted.
(3) A composite margin lower than otherwise considered appropriate for the stand-alone long-term care policy may be justified for long-term care benefits provided through a life policy or an annuity contract. Such lower composite margin, if utilized, shall be justified by appropriate actuarial demonstration addressing margins and volatility when considering the entirety of the product.
(4) A greater margin may be appropriate in circumstances where the company has less credible experience to support its assumptions used to determine the premium rates.
f. (1) A statement that the premium rate schedule is not less than the premium rate schedule for existing similar policy forms also available from the insurer except for reasonable differences attributable to benefits; or
(2) A comparison of the premium rate schedules for similar policy forms that are currently available from the insurer with an explanation of the differences. It is not expected that the insurer will need to provide a comparison of every age and set of benefits, period of payment or elimination period. A broad range of expected combinations is to be provided in a manner designed to provide a fair presentation for review by the commission.
g. A statement that reserve requirements have been reviewed and considered. Support for this statement shall include: (i) sufficient detail or sample calculations provided so as to have a complete depiction of the reserve amounts to be held; and (ii) a statement that the difference between the gross premium and the net valuation premium for renewal years is sufficient to cover expected renewal expenses; or if such a statement cannot be made, a complete description of the situations where this does not occur. An aggregate distribution of anticipated issues may be used as long as the underlying gross premiums maintain a reasonably consistent relationship.
3. An actuarial memorandum prepared, dated, and signed by a qualified actuary shall be included and shall address and support each specific item required as part of the actuarial certification and provide at least the following information:
a. A description of the basis on which the long-term care insurance premium rates were determined;
b. A description of the basis for the reserves;
c. A summary of the type of policy, benefits, renewability, general marketing method, and limits on ages of issuance;
d. A description and a table of each actuarial assumption used. For expenses, an insurer must include percentage of premium dollars per policy and dollars per unit of benefits, if any;
e. A description and a table of the anticipated policy reserves and additional reserves to be held in each future year for active lives;
f. The estimated average annual premium per policy and the average issue age;
g. A statement that includes a description of the types of underwriting used, such as medical underwriting or functional assessment underwriting. Concerning a group policy, the statement shall indicate whether the enrollee or any dependent will be underwritten and when underwriting occurs;
h. An explanation of the review performed by the actuary prior to making the statements in subdivisions B 2 c and d of this section;
i. A complete description of pricing assumptions;
j. Sources and levels of margins incorporated into the gross premiums that are the basis for the statement in subdivision B 2 a of this section of the actuarial certification and an explanation of the analysis and testing performed in determining the sufficiency of the margins. Deviations in margins between ages, sexes, plans, or states shall be clearly described. Deviations in margins required to be described are other than those produced utilizing generally accepted actuarial methods for smoothing and interpolating gross premium scales;
k. A demonstration that the gross premiums include the minimum composite margin specified in subdivision B 2 e of this section; and
l. The anticipated loss ratio and a description of how it was calculated.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-80. Prohibition of post-claims underwriting.
A. All applications and enrollment forms for long-term care insurance policies or certificates except those which are guaranteed issue shall contain clear and unambiguous questions designed to ascertain the health condition of the applicant.
B. Requirements for applications or enrollment forms:
1. If an application or enrollment form for long-term care insurance contains a question that asks whether the applicant has had medication prescribed by a physician, it must also ask the applicant to list each medication that has been prescribed.
2. If the medications listed in such application or enrollment form 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 policy or certificate shall not be rescinded for that condition, even if such condition is not otherwise disclosed in the application or enrollment form.
C. Except for policies or certificates which are guaranteed issue:
1. The following language shall be set out conspicuously and in close conjunction with the applicant's signature block on an application or enrollment form for a long-term care insurance policy or certificate:
Caution: If your answers on this application or enrollment form are incorrect or untrue, [company] has the right to deny benefits or rescind your [policy] [certificate].
The agent and the applicant must sign this section.
2. The following language, or language substantially similar to the following, shall be set out conspicuously, in bold face type, on the long-term care insurance policy or certificate at the time of delivery:
Caution: This policy may not apply when you have a claim! Please read! The issuance of this long-term care insurance [policy] [certificate] is based upon your responses to the questions on your [application] [enrollment form]. A copy of your [application] [enrollment form] [is enclosed] [was retained by you when you applied]. If your answers are incorrect or untrue, the company has the right to deny benefits or rescind your [policy] [certificate]. The best time to clear up any questions is now, before a claim arises! If, for any reason, any of your answers are incorrect, contact the company at this address: [insert address].
3. Prior to issuance of a long-term care policy or certificate to an applicant age 80 or older, the insurer shall obtain one of the following:
a. A report of a physical examination;
b. An assessment of functional capacity;
c. An attending physician's statement; or
d. Copies of medical records.
D. A copy of the completed application or enrollment form (whichever is applicable) 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.
E. Every insurer selling or issuing long-term care insurance benefits shall maintain a record of all policy or certificate rescissions, both state and countrywide, except those which the insured voluntarily effectuated, and shall annually by March 1 furnish this information to the commission in the format prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (Form A).
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 9, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-90. Minimum standards for home health and community care benefits in long-term care insurance policies.
A. A long-term care insurance policy or certificate may not, if it provides benefits for home health and community care services, limit or exclude benefits:
1. By requiring that the insured/claimant would need skilled care in a skilled nursing facility if home health care services were not provided;
2. By requiring that the insured/claimant first or simultaneously receive nursing and/or therapeutic services in a home or community setting before home health care services are covered;
3. By limiting eligible services to services provided by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses;
4. By 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;
5. By excluding coverage for personal care services provided by a home health aide;
6. By 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;
7. By requiring that the insured/claimant have an acute condition before home health care services are covered;
8. By limiting benefits to services provided by Medicare-certified agencies or providers; or
9. By excluding coverage for adult day care services.
B. If a long-term care insurance policy or certificate 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 shall not apply to policies or certificates issued to residents of continuing care retirement communities.
C. Home health care coverage may be applied to the nonhome health care benefits provided in the policy or certificate when determining maximum coverage under the terms of the policy or certificate.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 10, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-100. Requirement to offer inflation protection.
A. No insurer may offer a long-term care insurance policy unless the insurer also offers to the policyholder in addition to any other inflation protection offers the option to purchase a policy that provides for benefit levels to increase with benefit maximums or reasonable durations which are meaningful to account for reasonably anticipated increases in the costs of long-term care services covered by the policy. Insurers must offer to each policyholder, at the time of purchase, the option to purchase a policy with an inflation protection feature no less favorable than one of the following:
1. Increases benefit levels annually, in a manner so that the increases are compounded annually, at a rate not less than 5.0%;
2. Guarantees the insured individual the right to periodically increase benefit levels without providing evidence of insurability or health status; so long as the option for the previous period has not been declined. The amount of the additional benefit shall be no less than the difference between the existing policy benefit and that benefit compounded annually at a rate of at least 5.0% for the period beginning with the purchase of the existing benefit and extending until the year in which the offer is made; or
3. Covers a specified percentage of actual or reasonable charges and does not include a maximum specified indemnity amount or limit.
B. Where the policy is issued to a group, the required offer in subsection A of this section shall be made to each proposed certificateholder; except if the policy is issued to a continuing care retirement community the offering shall be made to the group policyholder.
C. The offer in subsection A of this section shall not be required of life insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term care benefits.
D. Insurers shall include the following information in or with the outline of coverage:
1. A graphic comparison of the benefit levels of a policy that increases benefits over the policy period with a policy that does not increase benefits. The graphic comparison shall show benefit levels over at least a 20-year period.
2. Any expected premium increases or additional premiums to pay for automatic or optional benefit increases. If premium increases or additional premiums will be based on the attained age of the applicant at the time of the increase, the insurer shall also disclose the magnitude of the potential premiums the applicant would need to pay at ages 75 and 85 for benefit increases. An insurer may use a reasonable hypothetical, or a graphic demonstration, for the purposes of this disclosure.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 11, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-110. Requirements for application forms and replacement coverage.
A. Application or enrollment 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 such questions may be used. With regard to a replacement policy issued to a group the following questions may be modified only to the extent necessary to elicit information about accident and sickness or long-term care insurance policies other than the group policy being replaced; provided, however, that the certificateholder has been notified of the replacement.
1. Do you have another long-term care insurance policy or certificate in force (including a health services plan contract, or a health maintenance organization contract)?
2. Did you have another long-term care insurance policy or certificate in force during the last 12 months?
a. If so, with which company?
b. If that policy lapsed, when did it lapse?
3. Are you covered by Medicaid?
4. Do you intend to replace any of your medical or health insurance coverage with this policy [certificate]?
B. Agents shall list any other health insurance policies they have sold to the applicant.
1. List policies sold which are still in force.
2. List policies sold in the past five years which are no longer in force.
C. Solicitations other than direct response. Upon determining that a sale will involve replacement, an insurer, other than an insurer using direct response solicitation methods, or its agent, 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 such 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 phrased as follows:
NOTICE TO APPLICANT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS OR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
[INSURANCE COMPANY'S NAME AND ADDRESS]
SAVE THIS NOTICE
IT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU IN THE FUTURE
According to (your application) (information you have furnished), you intend to lapse or otherwise terminate existing accident and sickness or long-term care insurance and replace it with an individual long-term care insurance policy to be issued by (Company Name). Your new policy provides 30 days within which you may decide, without cost, whether you desire to keep the policy. For your own information and protection, you should be aware of and seriously consider certain factors which may affect the insurance protection available to you under the new policy. You should review this new coverage carefully, comparing it with all accident and sickness or long-term care insurance coverage you now have, and terminate your present policy only if, after due consideration, you find that purchase of this long-term care coverage is a wise decision.
STATEMENT TO APPLICANT BY AGENT [OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE]:
(Use additional sheets, as necessary.)
I have reviewed your current medical or health insurance coverage; I believe the replacement of insurance involved in this transaction materially improves your position. My conclusion has taken into account the following considerations, which I call to your attention.
1. [In the event that the replacing policy does not have exclusions or limitations for preexisting conditions this language may be deleted.] Health conditions which you may presently have (preexisting conditions), may not be immediately or fully covered under the new policy. This could result in denial or delay in payment of benefits under the new policy, whereas a similar claim might have been payable under your present policy.
2. State law provides that your replacement policy or certificate may not contain new preexisting conditions, or probationary periods. The insurer will waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions or probationary periods in the new policy (or coverage) for similar benefits to the extent such time was spent (depleted) under the original policy.
3. You may wish to secure the advice of your present insurer or its agent regarding the proposed replacement of your present policy. This is not only your right, but it is also in your best interest to make sure you understand all the relevant factors involved in replacing your present coverage.
4. If, after due consideration, you still wish to terminate your present policy and replace it with new coverage, be certain to truthfully and completely answer all questions on the application concerning your medical health history. Failure to include all material medical information on an application may provide a basis for the company to deny any future claims and to refund your premium as though your policy had never been in force. After the application has been completed and before you sign it, reread it carefully to be certain that all information has been properly recorded.
______________________________
(Signature of Agent or Other Representative)
______________________________
(Typed Name and Address of Agent)
The above "Notice to Applicant" was delivered to me on:
(Date)____________________________
(Applicant's Signature)_______________
D. Direct Response Solicitations: 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 phrased as follows:
NOTICE TO APPLICANT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS OR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
Insurance Company's Name and Address
SAVE THIS NOTICE!
IT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU IN THE FUTURE
According to (your application) (information you have furnished), you intend to lapse or otherwise terminate existing accident and sickness or long-term care insurance and replace it with the long-term care insurance policy delivered herewith issued by (Company Name). Your new policy provides 30 days within which you may decide, without cost, whether you desire to keep the policy. For your own information and protection, you should be aware of and seriously consider certain factors which may affect the insurance protection available to you under the new policy. You should review this new coverage carefully, comparing it with all accident and sickness or long-term care insurance coverage you now have, and terminate your present policy only if, after due consideration, you find that purchase of this long-term care coverage is a wise decision.
1. [In the event that the replacing policy does not have exclusions or limitations for preexisting conditions, this language may be deleted.] Health conditions which you may presently have (preexisting conditions), may not be immediately or fully covered under the new policy. This could result in denial or delay in payment of benefits under the new policy, whereas a similar claim might have been payable under your present policy.
2. State law provides that your replacement policy or certificate may not contain new preexisting conditions or probationary periods. Your insurer will waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions or probationary periods in the new policy (or coverage) for similar benefits to the extent such time was spent (depleted) under the original policy.
3. You may wish to secure the advice of your present insurer or its agent regarding the proposed replacement of your present policy. This is not only your right, but it is also in your best interest to make sure you understand all the relevant factors involved in replacing your present coverage.
4. (To be included only if the application is attached to the policy or certificate.) If, after due consideration, you still wish to terminate your present policy and replace it with new coverage, read the copy of the application or enrollment form attached to your new policy and be sure that all questions are answered fully and correctly. Omissions or misstatements in the application or enrollment form could cause an otherwise valid claim to be denied. Carefully check the application or enrollment form and write to (Company Name and Address) within thirty (30) days if any information is not correct or complete, or if any past medical history has been left out of the application or enrollment form.
______________________________
(Company Name)
E. 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. Such notice shall be made within five working days from the date the application is received by the insurer or the date the policy is issued, whichever is sooner.
F. 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 14VAC5-30. 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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 12, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-120. Reporting requirements.
A. Every insurer shall maintain records for each agent of that agent's amount of replacement sales as a percent of the agent's total annual sales and the amount of lapses of long-term care insurance policies sold by the agent as a percent of the agent's total annual sales.
B. Every insurer shall report annually by June 30 the 10% of its agents with the greatest percentages of lapses and replacements as measured by subsection A of this section (Form G).
C. Reported replacement and lapse rates do not alone constitute a violation of the insurance laws or necessarily imply wrongdoing. The reports are for the purpose of reviewing more closely agent 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 (Form G).
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 (Form G).
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 (Form E).
G. For purposes of this section:
1. Subject to subdivision 2 of this subsection, "claim" means a request for payment of benefits under an in-force policy regardless of whether the benefit claimed is covered under the policy or any terms or conditions of the policy have been met;
2. "Denied" means the insurer refuses to pay a claim for any reason other than for claims not paid for failure to meet the waiting period or because of an applicable preexisting condition;
3. "Policy" means only long-term care insurance; and
4. "Report" means on a statewide basis.
H. Reports required under this section shall be based on the previous calendar year data and filed with the commission.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 13, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-125. Annual rate reports.
A. Every insurer shall report to the commission annually premium rates for all long-term care insurance policies. The commission shall establish the due date and post this report to the Bureau of Insurance's webpage. The rate report shall include:
1. For policies issued on or after October 1, 2003, an actuarial certification prepared, dated, and signed by a qualified actuary that provides at least the following information:
a. A statement of the sufficiency of the current premium rate schedule including:
(1) For policies currently marketed:
(a) The premium rate schedule continues to be sufficient to cover anticipated costs under moderately adverse experience, consistent with the margins as defined in the original rate filing or any subsequent rate filing, and that the premium rate schedule is reasonably expected to be sustainable over the life of the form with no future premium increases anticipated; or
(b) If the statement in subdivision 1 a (1) (a) of this subsection cannot be made, a statement that margins for moderately adverse experience, consistent with the margins as defined in the original rate filing or any subsequent rate filing, may no longer be sufficient. In this situation, the insurer shall submit to the commission within 60 days of the date of the actuarial certification a plan of action, including a timeframe, for the reestablishment of adequate margins for moderately adverse experience so that the ultimate premium rate schedule would be reasonably expected to be sustainable over the future life of the form with no future premium increases anticipated. Failure to submit a plan of action to the commission within 60 days or to comply with the timeframe stated in the plan of action constitutes grounds for withdrawal or modification of approval of the form for future sales.
(2) For policies that are no longer marketed:
(a) A statement that the premium rate schedule continues to be sufficient to cover anticipated costs under best estimate assumptions; or
(b) A statement that the premium rate schedule may no longer be sufficient. The insurer shall submit to the commission within 60 days of the date of the actuarial certification a plan of action, including a timeframe for the reestablishment of adequate margins for moderately adverse experience.
b. A description of the review performed that led to the statement.
c. At least once every three years, an actuarial memorandum dated and signed by a qualified actuary that supports the actuarial certification and provides at least the following information:
(1) A detailed explanation of the data sources and review performed by the actuary prior to making the statement in subdivision 1 a (1) of this subsection;
(2) A complete description of experience assumptions and their relationship to the initial pricing assumptions;
(3) A description of the credibility of the experience data; and
(4) An explanation of the analysis and testing performed in determining the current presence of margins.
2. For policies issued prior to October 1, 2003, the report shall include a statement signed by a qualified actuary that a complete analysis and review of the premium rates was conducted, a description of the analysis, the date on which the analysis was completed, and any rate action found to be necessary as a result of the analysis.
B. Reports required in this section shall be based on the previous calendar year data and filed with the commission no later than the due date. The commission may request any additional information that will support the information required in this section.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 21, eff. June 15, 2020.
14VAC5-200-130. Discretionary powers of commission.
The Commission may upon written request modify or suspend a specific provision or provisions of this chapter with respect to a specific long-term care insurance policy or certificate upon a written finding that:
1. The modification or suspension would be in the best interest of the insureds; and
2. The purposes to be achieved could not be effectively or efficiently achieved without the modification or suspension; and
a. The modification or suspension is necessary to the development of an innovative and reasonable approach for insuring long-term care; or
b. The policy or certificate is to be issued to residents of a life care or continuing care retirement community or some other residential community for the elderly and the modification or suspension is reasonably related to the special needs or nature of such a community; or
c. The modification or suspension is necessary to permit long-term care insurance to be sold as part of, or in conjunction with, another insurance product.
Statutory Authority
§§ 38.2-223 and 38.2-5200 through 38.2-5208 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 14, eff. January 1, 1992.
14VAC5-200-140. Reserve standards.
A. When long-term care benefits are provided through the acceleration of benefits under group or individual life policies or riders to such policies, policy reserves for such benefits shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 7 of § 38.2-1369 of the Code of Virginia. Claim reserves must also be established in the case when such policy or rider is in claim status. Reserves for policies and riders subject to this subsection should be based on the multiple decrement model utilizing all relevant decrements except for voluntary termination rates. Single decrement approximations are acceptable if the calculation produces essentially similar reserves, if the reserve is clearly more conservative, or if the reserve is immaterial. The calculations may take into account the reduction in life insurance benefits due to the payment of long-term care benefits. However, in no event shall the reserves for the long-term care benefit and the life insurance benefit be less than the reserves for the life insurance benefit assuming no long-term care benefit. In the development and calculation of reserves for policies and riders subject to this subsection, due regard shall be given to the applicable policy provisions, marketing methods, administrative procedures and all other considerations which have an impact on projected claim costs, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Definition of insured events;
2. Covered long-term care facilities;
3. Existence of home convalescence care coverage;
4. Definition of facilities;
5. Existence or absence of barriers to eligibility;
6. Premium waiver provision;
7. Renewability;
8. Ability to raise premiums;
9. Marketing method;
10. Underwriting procedures;
11. Claims adjustment procedures;
12. Waiting period;
13. Maximum benefit;
14. Availability of eligible facilities;
15. Margins in claim costs;
16. Optional nature of benefit;
17. Delay in eligibility for benefit;
18. Inflation protection provisions; and
19. Guaranteed insurability option.
Any applicable valuation morbidity table shall be certified as appropriate as a statutory valuation table by a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
B. When long-term care benefits are provided other than as in subsection A of this section, reserves shall be determined in accordance with 14VAC5-320.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 15, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-150. Premium rate increases for policies issued before October 1, 2003.
A. This section applies to any premium rate increase filed with the commission on or after September 1, 2015, for any long-term care insurance policy issued in this Commonwealth before October 1, 2003.
B. Benefits under long-term care insurance policies shall be deemed reasonable in relation to premiums provided the expected loss ratio is the greater of 60% or the lifetime loss ratio used in the original pricing applied to the current rate schedule plus: (i) 80% applied to any premium rate increase for individual policy forms or (ii) 75% applied to any premium rate increase on group policy forms.
In evaluating the expected loss ratio, due consideration shall be given to all relevant factors, including:
1. Statistical credibility of incurred claims experience and earned premiums;
2. The period for which rates are computed to provide coverage;
3. Experienced and projected trends;
4. Concentration of experience within early policy duration;
5. Expected claim fluctuation;
6. Experience refunds, adjustments or dividends;
7. Renewability features;
8. All appropriate expense factors;
9. Interest;
10. Experimental nature of the coverage;
11. Policy reserves;
12. Mix of business by risk classification; and
13. Product features such as long elimination periods, high deductibles and high maximum limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of 14VAC5-130-50 with regard to interest, demonstrations of loss ratios shall be made in compliance with the Rules Governing the Filing of Rates for Individual and Certain Group Accident and Sickness Insurance Policy Forms (14VAC5-130). All present and accumulated values used to determine rate increases, including the lifetime loss ratio used in the original pricing, shall use the maximum valuation interest rate for contract reserves as specified in § 38.2-1371 of the Code of Virginia.
C. Any insurer may request a series of scheduled rate increases that are actuarially equivalent to a single amount requested over the lifetime of the policy. The entire series may be approved at one time as part of the current rate increase filing.
D. As a condition of approval of a rate increase for a block of business for which the contingent benefit upon lapse is not otherwise required, a contingent benefit upon lapse provision will be required in accordance with 14VAC5-200-185 D. If the rate increase is approved in a series of scheduled rate increases and the sum of all scheduled rate increases will trigger the offering of a contingent benefit upon lapse, the insurer shall be required to include contingent benefit upon lapse at the time of each scheduled increase.
E. All submissions shall include information required by 14VAC5-200-75.
F. Subsection B of this section shall not apply to life insurance policies that accelerate benefits for long-term care. A life insurance policy that funds long-term care benefits entirely by accelerating the death benefit is considered to provide reasonable benefits in relation to premiums paid, if the policy complies with all of the following provisions:
1. The interest credited internally to determine cash value accumulations, including long-term care, if any, are guaranteed not to be less than the minimum guaranteed interest rate for cash value accumulations without long-term care set forth in the policy;
2. The portion of the policy that provides life insurance benefits meets the nonforfeiture requirements of Chapter 32 (§ 38.2-3200 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia;
3. If an application for a long-term care insurance contract or certificate is approved, the issuer shall deliver the contract or certificate of insurance to the applicant no later than 30 days after the date of approval;
4. At the time of policy delivery, a policy summary shall be delivered for an individual life insurance policy that provides long-term care benefits within the policy or by rider. In the case of direct response solicitations, the insurer shall deliver the policy summary upon the applicant's request, but regardless of request shall make delivery no later than at the time of policy delivery. In addition to complying with all applicable requirements, the summary shall also include:
a. An explanation of how the long-term care benefit interacts with other components of the policy, including deductions from death benefits;
b. An illustration of the amount of benefits, the length of benefit, and the guaranteed lifetime benefits, if any, for each covered person;
c. Any exclusions, reductions and limitations on benefits of long-term care;
d. A statement that any long-term care inflation protection option required by 14VAC5-200-100 is not available under this policy;
e. If applicable to the policy type, the summary shall also include:
(1) A disclosure of the effects of exercising other rights under the policy;
(2) A disclosure of guarantees related to long-term care costs of insurance charges; and
(3) Current and projected maximum lifetime benefits; and
f. The provisions of the policy summary listed above may be incorporated into a basic illustration or into the life insurance policy summary;
5. Any time a long-term care benefit, funded through a life insurance vehicle by the acceleration of the death benefit, is in benefit payment status, a monthly report shall be provided to the policyholder. The report shall include:
a. Any long-term care benefits paid out during the month;
b. An explanation of any changes in the policy (e.g., death benefits or cash values) due to long-term care benefits being paid out; and
c. The amount of long-term care benefits existing or remaining;
6. Any policy illustration that meets the applicable requirements of 14VAC5-41; and
7. An actuarial memorandum is filed with the Bureau of Insurance that includes:
a. A description of the basis on which the long-term care rates were determined;
b. A description of the basis for the reserves;
c. A summary of the type of policy, benefits, renewability, general marketing method, and limits on ages of issuance;
d. A description and a table of each actuarial assumption used. For expenses, an insurer must include percentage of premium dollars per policy and dollars per unit of benefits, if any;
e. A description and a table of the anticipated policy reserves and additional reserves to be held in each future year for active lives;
f. The estimated average annual premium per policy and the average issue age;
g. A statement as to whether underwriting is performed at the time of application. The statement shall indicate whether underwriting is used and, if used, the statement shall include a description of the type or types of underwriting used, such as medical underwriting or functional assessment underwriting. Concerning a group policy, the statement shall indicate whether the enrollee or any dependent will be underwritten and when underwriting occurs; and
h. A description of the effect of the long-term care policy provision on the required premiums, nonforfeiture values and reserves on the underlying life insurance policy, both for active lives and those in long-term care claim status.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 16, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-153. Premium rate increases for policies issued on or after October 1, 2003, but prior to September 1, 2015.
A. This section applies to any premium rate increase filed with the commission on or after September 1, 2015, for any long-term care insurance policy issued in this Commonwealth on or after October 1, 2003, but prior to September 1, 2015.
B. An insurer shall request the commission's approval of a pending premium rate schedule increase, including an exceptional increase, prior to the notice to the policyholders and shall include:
1. Information required by 14VAC5-200-75;
2. Certification by a qualified actuary that:
a. If the requested premium rate schedule increase is implemented and the underlying assumptions, which reflect moderately adverse conditions, are realized, no further premium rate schedule increases are anticipated; and
b. The premium rate filing is in compliance with the provisions of this section;
3. An actuarial memorandum justifying the rate schedule change request that includes:
a. Lifetime projections of earned premiums and incurred claims based on the filed premium rate schedule increase and the method and assumptions used in determining the projected values, including reflection of any assumptions that deviate from those used for pricing other forms currently available for sale;
(1) Annual values for the five years preceding and the three years following the valuation date shall be provided separately;
(2) The projections shall include the development of the lifetime loss ratio, unless the rate increase is an exceptional increase;
(3) The projections shall demonstrate compliance with subsection C of this section; and
(4) For exceptional increases,
(a) The projected experience should be limited to the increases in claims expenses attributable to the approved reasons for the exceptional increase; and
(b) In the event the commission determines as provided in the definition of exceptional increase in 14VAC5-200-40 that offsets may exist, the insurer shall use appropriate net projected experience;
b. Disclosure of how reserves have been incorporated in this rate increase whenever the rate increase will trigger contingent benefit upon lapse;
c. Disclosure of the analysis performed to determine why a rate adjustment is necessary, which pricing assumptions were not realized and why, and what other actions taken by the company have been relied on by the actuary;
d. A statement that policy design, underwriting, and claims adjudication practices have been taken into consideration;
e. In the event that it is necessary to maintain consistent premium rates for new policies and policies receiving a rate increase, the insurer will need to file composite rates reflecting projections of new policies; and
f. A demonstration that actual and projected costs exceed costs anticipated at the time of initial pricing under moderately adverse experience and that the composite margin is projected to be exhausted;
4. A statement that renewal premium rate schedules are not greater than new business premium rate schedules except for differences attributable to benefits, unless sufficient justification is provided to the commission; and
5. Sufficient information for review and approval of the premium rate schedule increase by the commission.
An insurer may request a series of scheduled rate increases that are actuarially equivalent to a single amount requested over the lifetime of the policy. The entire series may be approved at one time as part of the current rate increase filing. The insurer shall be required to include contingent benefit upon lapse at the time of each scheduled increase.
The insurer may request a premium rate schedule increase less than what is required under this section and the commission may approve such premium rate schedule increase, without submission of the certification in subdivision 2 a of this subsection, if the actuarial memorandum discloses the premium rate schedule increase necessary to make such certification required, the premium rate schedule increase filing satisfies all other requirements of this section, and is, in the opinion of the commission, in the best interest of policyholders.
C. All premium rate schedule increases shall be determined in accordance with the following requirements:
1. Exceptional increases shall provide that 70% of the present value of projected additional premiums from the exceptional increase will be returned to policyholders in benefits;
2. Premium rate schedule increases shall be calculated such that the sum of the accumulated value of incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, and the present value of future projected incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, will not be less than the sum of the following:
a. The accumulated value of the initial earned premium times 58%;
b. 85% of the accumulated value of prior premium rate schedule increases on an earned basis;
c. The present value of future projected initial earned premiums times 58%; and
d. 85% of the present value of future projected premiums not in subdivision 2 c of this subsection on an earned basis;
3. In the event that a policy form has both exceptional and other increases, the values in subdivisions 2 b and d of this subsection will also include 70% for exceptional rate increase amounts; and
4. All present and accumulated values used to determine rate increases shall use the maximum valuation interest rate for contract reserves as specified in § 38.2-1371 of the Code of Virginia. The actuary shall disclose as part of the actuarial memorandum the use of any appropriate averages.
D. For each rate increase that is implemented, the insurer shall file for approval by the commission updated projections, as defined in subdivision B 3 a of this section, annually for the next three years and include a comparison of actual results to projected values. The commission may extend the period to greater than three years if actual results are not consistent with projected values from prior projections. For group insurance policies that meet the conditions in subsection K of this section, the projections required by subdivision B 3 a of this section shall be provided to the policyholder in lieu of filing with the commission.
E. If any increased premium rate in the revised premium rate schedule is greater than 200% of the comparable rate in the initial premium schedule, the premiums exceeding 200% shall be clearly identified and lifetime projections, as defined in subdivision B 3 a of this section, shall be filed for approval by the commission every five years following the end of the required period in subsection D of this section. For group insurance policies that meet the conditions in subsection K of this section, the projections required by this subsection shall be provided to the policyholder in lieu of filing with the commission.
F. 1. If the commission has determined that the actual experience following a rate increase does not adequately match the projected experience and that the current projections under moderately adverse conditions demonstrate that incurred claims will not exceed proportions of premiums specified in subsection C of this section, the commission may require the insurer to implement any of the following:
a. Premium rate schedule adjustments; or
b. Other measures to reduce the difference between the projected and actual experience.
It is to be expected that the actual experience will not exactly match the insurer's projections. During the period that projections are monitored as described in subsections D and E of this section, the commission should determine that there is not an adequate match if the differences in earned premiums and incurred claims are not in the same direction (both actual values higher or lower than projections) or the difference as a percentage of the projected is not of the same order.
2. In determining whether the actual experience adequately matches the projected experience, consideration should be given to subdivision B 3 e of this section, if applicable.
G. If the majority of the policies or certificates to which the increase is applicable are eligible for the contingent benefit upon lapse, the insurer shall file:
1. A plan, subject to commission approval, for improved administration or claims processing designed to eliminate the potential for further deterioration of the policy form requiring further premium rate schedule increases or to demonstrate that appropriate administration and claims processing have been implemented or are in effect; otherwise the commission may impose the condition in subsection H of this section; and
2. The original anticipated lifetime loss ratio, and the premium rate schedule increase that would have been calculated according to subsection C of this section had the greater of the original anticipated lifetime loss ratio or 58% been used in the calculations described in subdivisions C 2 a and c of this section.
H. 1. For a rate increase filing that meets the following criteria, the commission shall review, for all policies included in the filing, the projected lapse rates and past lapse rates during the 12 months following each increase to determine if significant adverse lapsation has occurred or is anticipated:
a. The rate increase is not the first rate increase requested for the specific policy form or forms;
b. The rate increase is not an exceptional increase; and
c. The majority of the policies or certificates to which the increase is applicable are eligible for the contingent benefit upon lapse.
2. In the event significant adverse lapsation has occurred, is anticipated in the filing or is evidenced in the actual results as presented in the updated projections provided by the insurer following the requested rate increase, the commission may determine that a rate spiral exists. Following the determination that a rate spiral exists, the commission may require the insurer to offer, without underwriting, to all in-force insureds subject to the rate increase the option to replace existing coverage with any other long-term care insurance product being offered by the insurer or its affiliates.
a. The offer shall:
(1) Be subject to the approval of the commission;
(2) Be based on actuarially sound principles, but not be based on attained age; and
(3) Provide that maximum benefits under any new policy accepted by an insured shall be reduced by comparable benefits already paid under the existing policy.
b. The insurer shall maintain the experience of all the replacement insureds separate from the experience of insureds originally issued the policy forms. In the event of a request for a rate increase on the policy form, the rate increase shall be limited to the lesser of:
(1) The maximum rate increase determined based on the combined experience; or
(2) The maximum rate increase determined based only on the experience of the insureds originally issued the form plus 10%.
I. If the commission determines that the insurer has exhibited a persistent practice of filing inadequate initial premium rates for long-term care insurance, the commission may, in addition to the provisions of subsection H of this section, prohibit the insurer from either of the following:
1. Filing and marketing comparable coverage for a period of up to five years; or
2. Offering all other similar coverages and limiting marketing of new applications to the products subject to recent premium rate schedule increases.
J. Subsections A through I of this section shall not apply to policies for which the long-term care benefits provided by the policy are incidental, as defined in 14VAC5-200-40, if the policy complies with all of the following provisions:
1. The interest credited internally to determine cash value accumulations, including long-term care, if any, are guaranteed not to be less than the minimum guaranteed interest rate for cash value accumulations without long-term care set forth in the policy;
2. The portion of the policy that provides insurance benefits other than long-term care coverage meets the nonforfeiture requirements as applicable in any of the following:
a. Sections 38.2-3200 through 38.2-3218 of the Code of Virginia; or
b. Sections 38.2-3219 through 38.2-3229 of the Code of Virginia;
3. The policy meets the disclosure requirements of §§ 38.2-5207.1 and 38.2-5207.2 of the Code of Virginia;
4. The portion of the policy that provides insurance benefits other than long-term care coverage meets the requirements as applicable in 14VAC5-20 and 14VAC5-41; and
5. An actuarial memorandum is filed with the commission that includes:
a. A description of the basis on which the long-term care rates were determined;
b. A description of the basis for the reserves;
c. A summary of the type of policy, benefits, renewability, general marketing method, and limits on ages of issuance;
d. A description and a table of each actuarial assumption used. For expenses, an insurer shall include percent of premium dollars per policy and dollars per unit of benefits, if any;
e. A description and a table of the anticipated policy reserves and additional reserves to be held in each future year for active lives;
f. The estimated average annual premium per policy and the average issue age;
g. A statement as to whether underwriting is performed at the time of application. The statement shall indicate whether underwriting is used and, if used, the statement shall include a description of the type or types of underwriting used, such as medical underwriting or functional assessment underwriting. Concerning a group policy, the statement shall indicate whether the enrollee or any dependent will be underwritten and when underwriting occurs; and
h. A description of the effect of the long-term care policy provision on the required premiums, nonforfeiture values and reserves on the underlying insurance policy, both for active lives and those in long-term care claim status.
K. Subsections F and H of this section shall not apply to group insurance policies as defined in subsections A and C of § 38.2-3521.1 of the Code of Virginia where:
1. The policies insure 250 or more persons and the policyholder has 5,000 or more eligible employees of a single employer; or
2. The policyholder, and not the certificateholders, pays a material portion of the premium, which shall not be less than 20% of the total premium for the group in the calendar year prior to the year a rate increase is filed.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-154. Premium rate increases for policies issued after September 1, 2015.
A. An insurer shall request the commission's approval of a pending premium rate schedule increase, including an exceptional increase, prior to the notice to the policyholders and shall include:
1. Information required by 14VAC5-200-75;
2. Certification by a qualified actuary that:
a. If the requested premium rate schedule increase is implemented and the underlying assumptions, which reflect moderately adverse conditions, are realized, no further premium rate schedule increases are anticipated; and
b. The premium rate filing is in compliance with the provisions of this section;
3. An actuarial memorandum justifying the rate schedule change request that includes:
a. Lifetime projections of earned premiums and incurred claims based on the filed premium rate schedule increase and the method and assumptions used in determining the projected values, including reflection of any assumptions that deviate from those used for pricing other forms currently available for sale;
(1) Annual values for the five years preceding and the three years following the valuation date shall be provided separately;
(2) The projections shall include the development of the lifetime loss ratio, unless the rate increase is an exceptional increase;
(3) The projections shall demonstrate compliance with subsection B of this section; and
(4) For exceptional increases:
(a) The projected experience should be limited to the increases in claims expenses attributable to the approved reasons for the exceptional increase; and
(b) In the event the commission determines as provided in the definition of exceptional increase in 14VAC5-200-40 that offsets may exist, the insurer shall use appropriate net projected experience;
b. Disclosure of how reserves have been incorporated in this rate increase whenever the rate increase will trigger contingent benefit upon lapse;
c. Disclosure of the analysis performed to determine why a rate adjustment is necessary, which pricing assumptions were not realized and why, and what other actions taken by the company have been relied on by the actuary;
d. A statement that policy design, underwriting, and claims adjudication practices have been taken into consideration;
e. In the event that it is necessary to maintain consistent premium rates for new policies and policies receiving a rate increase, the insurer will need to file composite rates reflecting projections of new policies; and
f. A demonstration that actual and projected costs exceed costs anticipated at the time of initial pricing under moderately adverse experience and that the composite margin is projected to be exhausted;
4. A statement that renewal premium rate schedules are not greater than new business premium rate schedules except for differences attributable to benefits, unless sufficient justification is provided to the commission; and
5. Sufficient information for review and approval of the premium rate schedule increase by the commission.
An insurer may request a series of scheduled rate increases that are actuarially equivalent to a single amount requested over the lifetime of the policy. The entire series may be approved at one time as part of the current rate increase filing. The insurer shall be required to include contingent benefit upon lapse at the time of each scheduled increase.
The insurer may request a premium rate schedule increase less than what is required under this section and the commission may approve such premium rate schedule increase, without submission of the certification in subdivision 2 a of this subsection, if the actuarial memorandum discloses the premium rate schedule increase necessary to make such certification required, the premium rate schedule increase filing satisfies all other requirements of this section, and is, in the opinion of the commission, in the best interest of policyholders.
B. All premium rate schedule increases shall be determined in accordance with the following requirements:
1. Exceptional increases shall provide that 70% of the present value of projected additional premiums from the exceptional increase will be returned to policyholders in benefits;
2. Premium rate schedule increases shall be calculated such that the sum of the lesser of (i) the accumulated value of actual incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, or (ii) the accumulated value of historic expected claims without the inclusion of active life reserves, plus the present value of the future expected incurred claims, projected without the inclusion of actual life reserves, will not be less than the sum of the following:
a. The accumulated value of the initial earned premium times the greater of (i) 58% and (ii) the lifetime loss ratio consistent with the original filing including margins for moderately adverse experience;
b. 85% of the accumulated value of prior premium rate schedule increases on an earned basis;
c. The present value of future projected initial earned premiums times the greater of (i) 58% and (ii) the lifetime loss ratio consistent with the original filing including margins for moderately adverse experience; and
d. 85% of the present value of future projected premiums not in subdivision 2 c of this subsection on an earned basis;
3. Expected claims shall be calculated based on the original filing assumptions assumed until new assumptions are filed as part of a rate increase. New assumptions shall be used for all periods beyond each requested effective date of a rate increase. Expected claims are calculated for each calendar year based on the in-force policies at the beginning of the calendar year. Expected claims shall include margins for moderately adverse experience; either amounts included in the claims that were used to determine the lifetime loss ratio consistent with the original filing or as modified in any rate increase filing;
4. In the event that a policy form has both exceptional and other increases, the values in subdivisions 2 b and d of this subsection will also include 70% for exceptional rate increase amounts; and
5. All present and accumulated values used to determine rate increases, including the lifetime loss ratio consistent with the original filing reflecting margins for moderately adverse experience, shall use the maximum valuation interest rate for contract reserves as specified in § 38.2-1371 of the Code of Virginia. The actuary shall disclose as part of the actuarial memorandum the use of any appropriate averages.
C. For each rate increase that is implemented, the insurer shall file for approval by the commission updated projections, as defined in subdivision A 3 a of this section, annually for the next three years and include a comparison of actual results to projected values. The commission may extend the period to greater than three years if actual results are not consistent with projected values from prior projections. For group insurance policies that meet the conditions in subsection J of this section, the projections required by subdivision A 3 a of this section shall be provided to the policyholder in lieu of filing with the commission.
D. If any increased premium rate in the revised premium rate schedule is greater than 200% of the comparable rate in the initial premium schedule, the premiums exceeding 200% shall be clearly identified and lifetime projections, as defined in subdivision A 3 a of this section, shall be filed for approval by the commission every five years following the end of the required period in subsection C of this section. For group insurance policies that meet the conditions in subsection J of this section, the projections required by this subsection shall be provided to the policyholder in lieu of filing with the commission.
E. 1. If the commission has determined that the actual experience following a rate increase does not adequately match the projected experience and that the current projections under moderately adverse conditions demonstrate that incurred claims will not exceed proportions of premiums specified in subsection B of this section, the commission may require the insurer to implement any of the following:
a. Premium rate schedule adjustments; or
b. Other measures to reduce the difference between the projected and actual experience.
It is to be expected that the actual experience will not exactly match the insurer's projections. During the period that projections are monitored as described in subsections C and D of this section, the commission may determine that there is not an adequate match if the differences in earned premiums and incurred claims are not in the same direction (both actual values higher or lower than projections) or the difference as a percentage of the projected is not of the same order.
2. In determining whether the actual experience adequately matches the projected experience, consideration should be given to subdivision A 3 e of this section, if applicable.
F. If the majority of the policies or certificates to which the increase is applicable are eligible for the contingent benefit upon lapse, the insurer shall file a plan, subject to commission approval, for improved administration or claims processing designed to eliminate the potential for further deterioration of the policy form requiring further premium rate schedule increases, or both, or to demonstrate that appropriate administration and claims processing have been implemented or are in effect; otherwise the commission may impose the condition in subsection G of this section.
G. 1. For a rate increase filing that meets the following criteria, the commission shall review, for all policies included in the filing, the projected lapse rates and past lapse rates during the 12 months following each increase to determine if significant adverse lapsation has occurred or is anticipated:
a. The rate increase is not the first rate increase requested for the specific policy form or forms;
b. The rate increase is not an exceptional increase; and
c. The majority of the policies or certificates to which the increase is applicable are eligible for the contingent benefit upon lapse.
2. In the event significant adverse lapsation has occurred, is anticipated in the filing, or is evidenced in the actual results as presented in the updated projections provided by the insurer following the requested rate increase, the commission may determine that a rate spiral exists. Following the determination that a rate spiral exists, the commission may require the insurer to offer, without underwriting, to all in-force insureds subject to the rate increase the option to replace existing coverage with any other long-term care insurance product being offered by the insurer or its affiliates.
a. The offer shall:
(1) Be subject to the approval of the commission;
(2) Be based on actuarially sound principles, but not be based on attained age; and
(3) Provide that maximum benefits under any new policy accepted by an insured shall be reduced by comparable benefits already paid under the existing policy.
b. The insurer shall maintain the experience of all the replacement insureds separate from the experience of insureds originally issued the policy forms. In the event of a request for a rate increase on the policy form, the rate increase shall be limited to the lesser of:
(1) The maximum rate increase determined based on the combined experience; or
(2) The maximum rate increase determined based only on the experience of the insureds originally issued the form plus 10%.
H. If the commission determines that the insurer has exhibited a persistent practice of filing inadequate initial premium rates for long-term care insurance, the commission may, in addition to the provisions of subsection G of this section, prohibit the insurer from either of the following:
1. Filing and marketing comparable coverage for a period of up to five years; or
2. Offering all other similar coverages and limiting marketing of new applications to the products subject to recent premium rate schedule increases.
I. Subsections A through H of this section shall not apply to policies for which the long-term care benefits provided by the policy are incidental, as defined in 14VAC5-200-40, if the policy complies with all of the following provisions:
1. The interest credited internally to determine cash value accumulations, including long-term care, if any, are guaranteed not to be less than the minimum guaranteed interest rate for cash value accumulations without long-term care set forth in the policy;
2. The portion of the policy that provides insurance benefits other than long-term care coverage meets the nonforfeiture requirements as applicable in any of the following:
a. Sections 38.2-3200 through 38.2-3218 of the Code of Virginia; or
b. Sections 38.2-3219 through 38.2-3229 of the Code of Virginia;
3. The policy meets the disclosure requirements of §§ 38.2-5207.1 and 38.2-5207.2 of the Code of Virginia;
4. The portion of the policy that provides insurance benefits other than long-term care coverage meets the requirements as applicable in 14VAC5-20 and 14VAC5-41; and
5. An actuarial memorandum is filed with the commission that includes:
a. A description of the basis on which the long-term care rates were determined;
b. A description of the basis for the reserves;
c. A summary of the type of policy, benefits, renewability, general marketing method, and limits on ages of issuance;
d. A description and a table of each actuarial assumption used. For expenses, an insurer shall include percent of premium dollars per policy and dollars per unit of benefits, if any;
e. A description and a table of the anticipated policy reserves and additional reserves to be held in each future year for active lives;
f. The estimated average annual premium per policy and the average issue age;
g. A statement as to whether underwriting is performed at the time of application. The statement shall indicate whether underwriting is used and, if used, the statement shall include a description of the type or types of underwriting used, such as medical underwriting or functional assessment underwriting. Concerning a group policy, the statement shall indicate whether the enrollee or any dependent will be underwritten and when underwriting occurs; and
h. A description of the effect of the long-term care policy provision on the required premiums, nonforfeiture values and reserves on the underlying insurance policy, both for active lives and those in long-term care claim status.
J. Subsections E and G of this section shall not apply to group insurance policies as defined in subsections A and C of § 38.2-3521.1 of the Code of Virginia where:
1. The policies insure 250 or more persons and the policyholder has 5,000 or more eligible employees of a single employer; or
2. The policyholder, and not the certificateholders, pays a material portion of the premium, which shall not be less than 20% of the total premium for the group in the calendar year prior to the year a rate increase is filed.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223, and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-155. Filing requirement.
Prior to an insurer or similar organization offering group long-term care insurance to a resident of this Commonwealth pursuant to § 38.2-3522.1 of the Code of Virginia, it shall file with the commission evidence that the group policy or certificate thereunder has been approved by a state having statutory or regulatory long-term care insurance requirements substantially similar to those adopted in this Commonwealth.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000.
14VAC5-200-160. Filing requirements for advertising.
A. Every insurer providing long-term care insurance or benefits in this Commonwealth shall provide a copy of any long-term care insurance advertisement, as defined in 14VAC5-90-30, intended for use in this Commonwealth whether through written, radio or television or other electronic medium to the commission. To the extent that it may be required or permitted under the laws of this Commonwealth, the commission may review or review for approval all such advertisements. In addition, all advertisements shall be retained by the insurer for at least three years from the date the advertisement was first used.
B. The commission may exempt from these requirements any advertising form or material when in the commission's opinion, this requirement may not be reasonably applied.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 17, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002.
14VAC5-200-170. Standards for marketing.
A. Every insurer, marketing long-term care insurance coverage in this Commonwealth directly or through its agents, shall:
1. Establish marketing procedures to assure that any comparison of policies by its agents will be fair and accurate.
2. Establish marketing procedures to assure excessive insurance is not sold or issued.
3. Display prominently by type, stamp or other appropriate means on the first page of the outline of coverage and policy the following:
"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."
4. Provide copies of the disclosure forms (Forms B and F) to the applicant.
5. 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, an inquiry into whether a prospective applicant or enrollee for long-term care insurance has accident and sickness insurance is not required.
6. Every insurer, marketing long-term care insurance shall establish auditable procedures for verifying compliance with this subsection.
7. At solicitation, provide written notice to the prospective policyholder and certificateholder that the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program is available at: Virginia Department for the Aging, 1610 Forest Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, Virginia 23229, Aging Services Hotline 1-800-552-3402.
8. For long-term care health insurance policies and certificates, use the terms "noncancellable" or "level premium" only when the policy or certificate conforms with 14VAC5-200-60.
9. Provide an explanation of contingent benefit upon lapse provided for in 14VAC5-200-185 D 3 and, if applicable, the additional contingent benefit upon lapse provided to policies with fixed or limited premium paying periods in 14VAC5-200-185 D 4.
B. In addition to the practices prohibited in Chapter 5 (§ 38.2-500 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia, the following acts and practices are prohibited:
1. Twisting. 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.
C. 1. Associations that provide long-term care insurance policies or certificates endorsed or sold by the association shall disclose in any long-term care insurance solicitation:
a. The specific nature and amount of the compensation arrangements (including 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; and
b. A brief description of the process under which the policies and the insurer issuing the policies were selected.
2. If the association and the insurer have interlocking directorates or trustee arrangements, the association shall disclose that fact to its members.
3. 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.
4. A group long-term care insurance policy or certificate may not be issued to an association unless the insurer obtains the information contained in this subsection. The insurer may be required to provide such information to the commission upon request or certify that the association has complied with the requirements set forth in this subsection.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 18, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-175. Suitability.
A. This section shall not apply to life insurance policies that accelerate benefits for long-term care.
B. Every insurer marketing long-term care insurance (the "issuer") shall:
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; and
3. Maintain a copy of its suitability standards and make them available for inspection upon request by the commission.
C. 1. To determine whether the applicant meets the standards developed by the issuer, the agent and issuer 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; and
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 issuer and, where an agent is involved, the agent shall make reasonable efforts to obtain the information set out in subdivision 1 of this subsection. The efforts shall include presentation to the applicant, at or prior to application, of the "Long-Term Care Insurance Personal Worksheet." The personal worksheet used by the issuer shall contain, at a minimum, the information in the format contained in Form B in not less than 12-point type. The issuer may request the applicant to provide additional information to comply with its suitability standards. A copy of the issuer's personal worksheet shall be filed with the commission for approval as required for a policy pursuant to § 38.2-316 of the Code of Virginia.
3. A completed personal worksheet shall be returned to the issuer prior to the issuer'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 issuer or agent of information obtained through the personal worksheet in Form B is prohibited.
D. The issuer 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 issuer 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 Form C in not less than 12-point type.
G. If the issuer determines that the applicant does not meet its financial suitability standards, or if the applicant has declined to provide the information, the issuer may reject the application. In the alternative, the issuer shall send the applicant a letter similar to Form D. If a letter similar to Form D is sent, it may be in lieu of a notice of adverse underwriting decision as set forth in § 38.2-610 of the Code of Virginia. However, if the applicant has declined to provide financial information, the issuer 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 issuer shall report annually by June 30 to the commission the total number of applications received from residents of this Commonwealth, 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 chose to confirm after receiving a suitability letter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-180. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 19, eff. January 1, 1992; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000.
14VAC5-200-181. 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 subsection A of this section, notification is not required for any policy issued prior to the effective date of this section or to any policyholder or certificateholder who is currently eligible for benefits, within an elimination period or on a claim, or who previously has been in claim status, 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; or
4. By an alternative program developed by the insurer that meets the intent of this section if the program is filed with and approved by the commission.
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 subsection, "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 section shall be considered exchanges and not replacements. These exchanges shall not be subject to 14VAC5-200-110 and 14VAC5-200-175, and the reporting requirements of 14VAC5-200-120 A though E.
F. Where the policy is offered through an employer, a labor union or organization, or an association or other group identified in § 38.2-3521.1 of the Code of Virginia, the required notification in subsection A of this section shall be made to the offering entity. However, if the policy is issued to a group defined in § 38.2-3522.1 of the Code of Virginia, the notification shall be made to each certificateholder.
G. Nothing in this section 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 currently 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 section does not apply to life insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term care benefits.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-183. 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; or
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 carrier's administrative processes.
3. Except for a long-term care policy issued prior to September 1, 2015, that contains language to the contrary, in the event the reduction in coverage involves the reduction or elimination of the inflation protection provision, the insurer shall allow the policyholder to continue the benefit amount in effect at the time of the reduction.
B. The provision shall include a description of the process for requesting and implementing a reduction in coverage.
C. The premium for the reduced coverage shall be:
1. Based on the same age and underwriting class used to determine the premium for the coverage currently in force; and
2. Consistent with the approved rate table.
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 about to lapse, the insurer shall provide a written reminder to the policyholder or certificateholder of his right to reduce coverage and premiums in the notice required by 14VAC5-200-65 A 3.
F. This section does not apply to life insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term care benefits.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-185. Nonforfeiture benefit requirement.
A. This section does not apply to life insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term care benefits.
B. To comply with the requirement to offer a nonforfeiture benefit pursuant to the provisions of § 38.2-5210 of the Code of Virginia:
1. A policy or certificate offered with nonforfeiture benefits shall have coverage elements, eligibility, benefit triggers and benefit length that are the same as coverage to be issued without nonforfeiture benefits. The nonforfeiture benefit included in the offer shall be the benefit described in subsection E of this section; and
2. The offer shall be in writing if the nonforfeiture benefit is not otherwise described in the Outline of Coverage or other materials given to the prospective policyholder.
When a group long-term care insurance policy is issued, the offer required in § 38.2-5210 of the Code of Virginia shall be made to the group policyholder. However, if the policy is issued as group long-term care insurance as defined in § 38.2-3522.1 of the Code of Virginia other than to a continuing care retirement community or other similar entity, the offer shall be made to each proposed certificateholder.
C. If the offer required to be made under § 38.2-5210 of the Code of Virginia is rejected, the insurer shall provide the contingent benefit upon lapse described in this section. Even if this offer is accepted for a policy with a fixed or limited premium paying period, the contingent benefit upon lapse in subdivision D 4 of this section shall still apply.
D. 1. After rejection of the offer required under § 38.2-5210 of the Code of Virginia, for individual and group policies without nonforfeiture benefits, the insurer shall provide a contingent benefit upon lapse.
2. In the event 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. A contingent benefit upon 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 below 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 75 days prior to the due date of the premium reflecting the rate increase.
|
| Triggers for a Substantial Premium Increase | |
| Issue Age | Percent Increase | |
| 54 and under | 100% | |
| 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. 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 below 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 in subdivision 6 b of this subsection is 40% or more. Unless otherwise required, policyholders shall be notified at least 75 days prior to the due date of the premium reflecting the rate increase.
|
| Triggers for a Substantial Premium Increase | |
| Issue Age | Percent Increase | |
| Under 65 | 50% | |
| 65-80 | 30% | |
| Over 80 | 10% | |
This provision shall be in addition to the contingent benefit provided by subdivision 3 of this subsection, and where both are triggered, the benefit provided shall be at the option of the insured.
5. On or before the effective date of a substantial premium increase as defined in subdivision 3 of this subsection, the insurer shall:
a. Offer to reduce policy benefits provided by the current coverage consistent with 14VAC5-200-183 so that required premium payments are not increased;
b. Offer to convert the coverage to a paid-up status with a shortened benefit period in accordance with the terms of subsection E of this section. This option may be elected at any time during the 120-day period referenced in subdivision 3 of this subsection; and
c. Notify the policyholder or certificateholder that a default or lapse at any time during the 120-day period referenced in subdivision 3 of this subsection shall be deemed to be the election of the offer to convert in subdivision 5 b of this subsection unless the automatic option in subdivision 6 c of this subsection applies.
6. On or before the effective date of a substantial premium increase as defined in subdivision 4 of this subsection, the insurer shall:
a. Offer to reduce policy benefits provided by the current coverage consistent with the requirements of 14VAC5-200-183 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 subdivision 4 of this subsection; and
c. Notify the policyholder or certificateholder that a default or lapse at any time during the 120-day period referenced in subdivision 4 of this subsection shall be deemed to be the election of the offer to convert in subdivision 6 b of this subsection if the ratio is 40% or more.
7. In the event the policy was issued at least 20 years prior to the effective date of the premium rate increase, a value of 0% shall be used in place of all values in the tables in subdivision 3 or 4 of this subsection.
E. Benefits continued as nonforfeiture benefits, including contingent benefits upon lapse in accordance with subdivision D 3 but not subdivision D 4 of this section, are described in this subsection:
1. For purposes of this subsection, attained age rating is defined as a schedule of premiums starting from the issue date which increases age at least 1.0% per year prior to age 50, and at least 3.0% per year at age 50 and beyond.
2. For purposes of this subsection, the nonforfeiture benefit shall be of a shortened benefit period providing paid-up long-term care insurance coverage after lapse. The same benefits (amounts and frequency in effect at the time of lapse but not increased thereafter) will be payable for a qualifying claim, but the lifetime maximum dollars or days of benefits shall be determined as specified in subdivision 3 of this subsection.
3. The standard nonforfeiture credit will be equal to 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 shall 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 subsection F of this section.
4. a. 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 three years as well as thereafter.
b. Notwithstanding subdivision 4 a of this subsection, except that for a policy or certificate with a contingent benefit upon lapse or a policy or certificate with attained age rating, the nonforfeiture benefit shall begin on the earlier of: (i) the end of the tenth year following the policy or certificate issue date; or (ii) 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.
F. All benefits paid by the insurer while the policy or certificate is in premium paying status and in the paid-up status will not exceed the maximum benefits which would be payable if the policy or certificate had remained in premium paying status.
G. There shall be no difference in the minimum nonforfeiture benefits as required under this section for group and individual policies.
H. Premiums charged for a policy or certificate containing nonforfeiture benefits or a contingent benefit on lapse shall be subject to the loss ratio requirements of 14VAC5-200-150, 14VAC5-200-153, or 14VAC5-200-154, whichever is applicable, treating the policy as a whole.
I. To determine whether contingent nonforfeiture upon lapse provisions are triggered under subdivision D 3 or D 4 of this section, 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 nonforfeiture benefit for qualified long-term care insurance contracts that are level premium contracts shall be offered that meets the following requirements:
1. The nonforfeiture provision shall be appropriately captioned;
2. The nonforfeiture provision shall provide a benefit available in the event of a default in the payment of any premiums and shall state that the amount of the benefit may be adjusted subsequent to being initially granted only as necessary to reflect changes in claims, persistency and interest as reflected in changes in rates for premium paying contracts approved by the commission for the same contract form; and
3. The nonforfeiture provision shall provide at least one of the following:
a. Reduced paid-up insurance;
b. Extended term insurance;
c. Shortened benefit period; or
d. Other similar offerings approved by the commission.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223 and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007; Volume 24, Issue 15, eff. April 1, 2008; Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-187. Standards for benefit triggers.
A. A long-term care insurance policy 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 shall not be more restrictive than requiring either a deficiency in the ability to perform not more than three of the activities of daily living or the presence of cognitive impairment.
B. 1. Activities of daily living shall include at least the following as defined in 14VAC5-200-50 and in the policy:
a. Bathing;
b. Continence;
c. Dressing;
d. Eating;
e. Toileting; and
f. Transferring.
2. Insurers may use activities of daily living to trigger covered benefits in addition to those contained in subdivision 1 of this subsection as long as they are defined in the policy.
C. An insurer may use additional provisions for the determination of when benefits are payable under a policy or certificate; however, the provisions shall not restrict and are not in lieu of the requirements contained in subsections A and B of this section.
D. For purposes of this section, the determination of a deficiency shall not be more restrictive than:
1. Requiring the hands-on assistance of another person to perform the prescribed activities of daily living; or
2. If the deficiency is due to the presence of a cognitive impairment, supervision or verbal cueing by another person is needed in order to protect the insured or others.
E. Assessments of activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be performed by licensed or certified professionals, such as physicians, nurses or social workers.
F. Long-term care insurance policies shall include a clear description of the process for appealing and resolving benefit determinations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-190. Prohibition against preexisting conditions and probationary periods in replacement policies or certificates.
If a long-term care insurance policy or certificate replaces another long-term care policy or certificate, the replacing insurer shall waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions 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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 38.2-223 and 38.2-5200 through 38.2-5208 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 20, eff. January 1, 1992.
14VAC5-200-195. Rate increase hearings.
The commission may, at its sole discretion and as a condition of approval, conduct a public hearing or order an insurer to present information concerning its premium rate increase submission before the commission if it determines that a hearing or presentation is in the public interest. One consideration for a hearing may be the percentage or level of premium rate increase requested.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223, and 38.2-5202 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 18, eff. September 1, 2015.
14VAC5-200-200. Standard format outline of coverage.
This section of the chapter implements, interprets and makes specific, the provisions of § 38.2-5207 of the Code of Virginia in prescribing a standard format and the content of an outline of coverage.
1. The outline of coverage shall be a freestanding document in at least 10-point type.
2. The outline of coverage shall contain no material of an advertising nature.
3. Text which is capitalized or underscored in the standard format for outline of coverage may be emphasized by other means which provide prominence equivalent to such capitalization or underscoring.
4. The text and sequence of text of the standard format for outline of coverage is mandatory, unless otherwise specifically indicated.
5. Format for outline of coverage:
[COMPANY NAME]
[ADDRESS-CITY AND STATE]
[TELEPHONE NUMBER]
LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE OUTLINE OF COVERAGE
[Policy Number or Group Master Policy and Certificate Number]
[Except for policies or certificates which are guaranteed issue, the following caution statement, or language substantially similar, must appear as follows in the outline of coverage.]
Caution: The issuance of this long-term care insurance [policy] [certificate] is based upon your responses to the questions on your application. A copy of your [application] [enrollment form] [is enclosed] [was retained by you when you applied.] If your answers are incorrect or untrue, the company 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 are incorrect, contact the company at this address: [insert address]
1. This policy is [an individual policy of insurance] ([a group policy] which was issued in the [indicate jurisdiction in which the group policy was issued]).
2. PURPOSE OF OUTLINE OF COVERAGE. This outline of coverage provides a very brief description of the important features of the policy. You should compare this outline of coverage to outlines of coverage for other policies available to you. This is not an insurance contract, but only a summary of coverage. Only the individual or group policy contains governing contractual provisions. This means that the policy or group policy sets forth in detail the rights and obligations of both you and the insurance company. Therefore, if you purchase this coverage, or any other coverage, it is important that you READ YOUR POLICY (OR CERTIFICATE) CAREFULLY!
3. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES.
This [POLICY] [CERTIFICATE] is a federally tax-qualified long-term care insurance contract under § 7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
OR
Federal Tax Implications of this [POLICY] [CERTIFICATE]. This [POLICY] [CERTIFICATE] is not intended to be a federally tax-qualified long-term care insurance contract under § 7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Benefits received under the [POLICY] [CERTIFICATE] may be taxable as income.
4. TERMS UNDER WHICH THE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE MAY BE CONTINUED IN FORCE OR DISCONTINUED.
a. [For long-term care health insurance policies or certificates describe one of the following permissible policy renewability provisions:]
1. [Policies and certificates that are guaranteed renewable shall contain the following statement:] RENEWABILITY: THIS [POLICY] [CERTIFICATE] IS GUARANTEED RENEWABLE. This means you have the right, subject to the terms of your [policy] [certificate], to continue this policy as long as you pay your premiums on time. [Company name] cannot change any of the terms of your policy on its own, except that, in the future, IT MAY INCREASE THE PREMIUM YOU PAY.
2. [Policies and certificates that are noncancellable shall contain the following statement:] RENEWABILITY: THIS [POLICY] [CERTIFICATE] IS NONCANCELLABLE. This means that you have the right, subject to the terms of your policy, to continue this policy as long as you pay your premiums on time. [Company name] cannot change any of the terms of your policy on its own and cannot change the premium you currently pay. However, if your policy contains an inflation protection feature where you choose to increase your benefits, [Company name] may increase your premium at that time for those additional benefits.
b. [For group coverage, specifically describe continuation or conversion provisions applicable to the certificate and group policy;]
c. [Describe waiver of premium provisions or state that there are not such provisions.]
5. TERMS UNDER WHICH THE COMPANY MAY CHANGE PREMIUMS.
[In bold type larger than the maximum type required to be used for the other provisions of the outline of coverage, state whether or not the company has a right to change the premium, and if the right exists, describe clearly and concisely each circumstance under which the premium may change.]
6. TERMS UNDER WHICH THE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE MAY BE RETURNED AND PREMIUM REFUNDED.
a. [Provide a brief description of the right to return--"free look" provision of the policy.] If your application is denied, [Company name] will refund any paid premium within 30 days of the denial.
b. [Include a statement that the policy either does or does not contain provisions providing for a refund or partial refund of premium upon the death of an insured or surrender of the policy or certificate. If the policy contains such provisions, include a description of them.]
7. THIS IS NOT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT COVERAGE. If you are eligible for Medicare, review the Medicare Supplement Buyer's Guide available from the insurance company.
a. [For agents] Neither [insert company name] nor its agents represent Medicare, the federal government or any state government.
b. [For direct response] [insert company name] is not representing Medicare, the federal government, or any state government.
8. LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE. Policies of this category are designed to provide coverage 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, such as in a nursing home, in the community or in the home.
This policy provides coverage in the form of a fixed dollar indemnity benefit for covered long-term care expenses, subject to policy [limitations] [waiting periods] and [coinsurance] requirements. [Modify this paragraph if the policy is not an indemnity policy.]
9. BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS POLICY.
a. [Covered services, related deductible or deductibles, waiting periods, elimination periods and benefit maximums.]
b. [Institutional benefits, by skill level.]
c. [Non-institutional benefits, by skill level.]
d. Eligibility for payment of benefits. [Activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be used to measure an insured's need for long-term care and must be defined and described as part of the outline of coverage.]
[Any additional benefit triggers must also be explained. If these triggers differ for different benefits, explanation of the triggers should accompany each benefit description. If an attending physician or other specified person must certify a certain level of functional dependency in order to be eligible for benefits, this too must be specified.]
10. LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS.
[Describe:
a. Preexisting conditions;
b. Noneligible facilities/provider;
c. Noneligible levels of care (e.g., unlicensed providers, care or treatment provided by a family member, etc.);
d. Exclusions/exceptions;
e. Limitations.]
[This section should provide a brief specific description of any policy provisions which limit, exclude, restrict, reduce, delay, or in any other manner operate to qualify payment of the benefits described in paragraph 9 above.]
THIS POLICY MAY NOT COVER ALL THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS.
11. RELATIONSHIP OF COST OF CARE AND BENEFITS. Because the costs of long-term care services will likely increase over time, you should consider whether and how the benefits of this plan may be adjusted. [As applicable, indicate the following:
a. That the benefit level will not increase over time;
b. Any automatic benefit adjustment provisions;
c. Whether the insured will be guaranteed the option to buy additional benefits and the basis upon which benefits will be increased over time if not by a specified amount or percentage;
d. If there is such a guarantee, include whether additional underwriting or health screening will be required, the frequency and amounts of the upgrade options, and any significant restrictions or limitations;
e. And finally, describe whether there will be any additional premium charge imposed, and how that is to be calculated.]
12. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER ORGANIC BRAIN DISORDERS.
[State that the policy provides coverage for insureds clinically diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease or related degenerative and dementing illnesses. Specifically describe each benefit screen or other policy provision which provides preconditions to the availability of policy benefits for such an insured.]
13. PREMIUM.
[a. State the total annual premium for the policy;
b. If the premium varies with an applicant's choice among benefit options, indicate the portion of annual premium which corresponds to each benefit option.]
14. ADDITIONAL FEATURES.
[a. Indicate if medical underwriting is used;
b. Describe other important features.]
15. CONTACT THE VIRGINIA INSURANCE COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IF YOU HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS REGARDING LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE. CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 21, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2000; Volume 19, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-201. Requirement to deliver shopper's guide.
A. A long-term care insurance shopper's guide in the format developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or a guide developed or approved by the commission, shall be provided to all prospective applicants of a long-term care insurance policy or certificate.
1. In the case of agent solicitations, an agent must deliver the shopper's guide prior to the presentation of an application or enrollment form.
2. In the case of direct response solicitations, the shopper's guide must be presented in conjunction with any application or enrollment form.
B. Life insurance policies or riders containing accelerated long-term care benefits are not required to furnish the above-referenced guide, but shall furnish the policy summary required under § 38.2-5207.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-205. State Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program.
A. In accordance with § 6021 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Pub.L. 109-171) and § 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia, in addition to the applicable provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this section shall apply to any qualified state long-term care insurance partnership policy.
B. "Qualified state long-term care insurance partnership policy" or "partnership policy" means an insurance policy that meets all the requirements specified in 12VAC30-40-290 and meets the following requirements:
1. The policy covers an insured who was a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia (a Partnership State) when coverage first became effective under the policy.
2. The policy is a qualified long-term care insurance policy as defined in § 7702B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and was issued no earlier than September 1, 2007.
3. The policy meets all the applicable requirements of this chapter and the requirements of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners long-term care insurance model act and model regulation as those requirements are set forth in § 1917(b)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 USC § 1396p(b)(5)(A)).
4. The policy provides the following inflation protections:
a. If the policy is sold to an individual who has not attained age 61 as of the date of purchase, the policy shall provide a compound annual inflation protection feature at least equivalent to the provisions of 14VAC5-200-100;
b. If the policy is sold to an individual who has attained age 61 but has not attained age 76 as of the date of purchase, the policy shall provide an inflation protection feature at least equivalent to the provisions of 14VAC5-200-100;
c. If the policy is sold to an individual who has attained age 76 as of the date of purchase, the policy may provide inflation protection, but shall at least comply with the provisions of 14VAC5-200-100.
C. 1. An insurer or its agent, soliciting or offering to sell a policy that is intended to qualify as a partnership policy, shall provide to each prospective applicant a Partnership Program Notice (Form 200-A), outlining the requirements and benefits of a partnership policy. A similar notice may be used for this purpose if filed and approved by the commission. The Partnership Program Notice shall be provided with the required Outline of Coverage.
2. A partnership policy issued or issued for delivery in the Commonwealth of Virginia shall include a Partnership Disclosure Notice (Form 200-B) explaining the benefits associated with a partnership policy and indicating that at the time issued, the policy is a qualified state long-term care insurance partnership policy. A similar notice may be used if filed and approved by the commission. The Partnership Disclosure Notice shall also include a statement indicating that by purchasing this partnership policy, the insured does not automatically qualify for Medicaid.
D. 1. A partnership policy shall not be issued or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth unless filed with and approved by the commission in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 38.2-316 of the Code of Virginia. Any policy submitted for approval as a partnership policy shall be accompanied by a Partnership Certification Form (Form 200-C), or a similar form filed and approved by the commission.
2. Insurers requesting to make use of a previously approved policy form as a qualified state long-term care partnership policy shall submit to the commission a Partnership Certification Form signed by an officer of the company. The Partnership Certification Form shall be accompanied by a copy of the policy or certificate form listed, the approval date, and a bookmark for each of the requirements listed in sections II and III of the form. A Partnership Certification Form shall be required for each policy form submitted for partnership qualification.
E. Agent training requirements. An individual may not sell, solicit or negotiate a partnership policy unless the individual is a licensed and appointed insurance agent in accordance with provisions of Chapter 18 (§ 38.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia and has completed an initial training component and ongoing training every 24 months thereafter. The training shall meet the following requirements:
1. All training shall be approved as continuing education by the Insurance Continuing Education Board in accordance with § 38.2-1867 of the Code of Virginia.
2. The initial training required by this subsection shall be no less than eight hours, and the on-going training required by this subsection shall be no less than four hours.
3. The training required under subdivision 2 of this subsection shall consist of topics related to long-term care insurance, long-term care services, and qualified state long-term care insurance partnership programs, including, but not limited to:
a. State and federal regulations and requirements and the relationship between qualified state long-term care insurance partnership programs and other public and private coverage of long-term care services, including Medicaid;
b. Available long-term care services and providers;
c. Changes or improvements 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; and
f. Consumer suitability standards and guidelines.
F. Insurers offering a partnership policy shall obtain verification that an agent has received the training required by subsection E of this section before the agent is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate the insurer's partnership policy.
G. Each insurer shall maintain records with respect to the training of its agents qualified to sell, solicit or negotiate partnership policies, to include training received and that the agent has demonstrated an understanding of the partnership policies and their relationship to public and private coverage of long-term care, including Medicaid, in this Commonwealth. These records shall be maintained for a period of not less than five years and shall be made available to the commission upon request.
H. Each insurer issuing a partnership policy shall provide regular reports to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services in accordance with regulations of the Secretary that include notification of the date benefits were paid, the amount paid, the date the policy terminates, and such other information as the Secretary determines may be appropriate to the administration of partnerships.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 17, eff. September 1, 2007.
14VAC5-200-210. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is for any reason held to be invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Statutory Authority
§§ 38.2-223 and 38.2-5200 through 38.2-5208 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Regulation 40, Case No. INS910239, § 22, eff. January 1, 1992.
Forms (14VAC5-200)
Rescission Reporting Form, Form A (eff. 2/2002)
Long-Term Care Insurance Personal Worksheet, Form B (rev. 4/2015)
Things You Should Know Before You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance, Form C (rev. 9/2007)
Long-Term Care Insurance Suitability Letter, Form D (rev. 2/2002)
Claims Denial Reporting Form, Form E (rev. 4/2015)
Potential Rate Increase Disclosure Form, Form F (rev. 12/2015)
Replacement and Lapse Reporting Form, Form G (eff. 9/2007)
Partnership Program Notice, Form 200-A (eff. 9/2007)
Partnership Disclosure Notice, Form 200-B (eff. 9/2007)
Long-Term Care Partnership Certification Form, Form 200-C (rev. 4/2015)