As a result of the filing of a Writ of Mandate and Declaratory Relief Action by Barger & Wolen LLP Senior Regulatory Counsel Robert W. Hogeboom and Litigation Partner John Holmes, the California Department of Insurance (“CDI”) agreed to cease and desist its practice of requiring insurers to file and pay fees on insurer notices to policyholders policyholder “notices” in connection with Medicare supplement policies. Further, the CDI agreed to refund to each of the plaintiff insurers in the suit all filing fees that had been paid to the CDI since 2012.

The action was filed on behalf of five Torchmark Group insurers who issue Medicare supplement insurance policies in California. Under California Insurance Code (“CIC”) § 10192.14(c), each insurer is required to submit an annual rate filing for each Medicare supplement product to demonstrate compliance with a minimum lifetime loss ratio requirement.   

Since June 2012, the CDI has required insurers which issue Medicare supplement policies to file and seek approval for each form of “notice” to policyholders. The term “notice” was broadly defined by the CDI to include invoices, friendly reminder letters, changes in premium, lapse notices, etc. The CDI alleged that all of these notices were “policy forms” subject to approval under CIC § 10192.15(a). Each notice was subject to a filing fee of $460. 

The CDI also withheld approval of rate filings pending the filing of notices and payment of filing fees notwithstanding that actuarial approval had been given. The notice filing fees alone aggregated approximately $15,000 each year for the plaintiff insurers. 

A Writ of Mandate and complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief was filed against the CDI alleging that the notices were not “policy forms” within the meaning of CIC § 10192.15(a). Further, we alleged the CDI had no authority to disapprove a rate filing based on failure to file notices for approval. 

Prior to a hearing on the action, the CDI agreed to discontinue the notice filing requirements and fee charges. The CDI also agreed to refund all filing fees that had been previously collected.