In conjunction with the Locke Lord COVID-19 task force, we are reviewing, analyzing, and compiling regulatory updates to provide clients easy access to information during this unprecedented time. If you have any questions on the subject matter below, do not hesitate to reach out. The information below relates to state and federal bulletins, emergency orders, pending/enacted legislation, and other related actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property and Casualty Insurance
Washington: On June 25, Commissioner Kreidler partially extended Insurance Commissioner Emergency Order 20-05, issued on April 27, 2020, until July 25, 2020. The Extended Order states that, “all regulated entities transacting any property or casualty insurance business in the state of Washington that have deadlines requiring policyholders to report completed repairs in order to claim withheld depreciation payments that will expire between April 27, 2020 and July 25, 2020, or the expiration of the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation 20-25 Stay Home –Stay Healthy and any subsequent extensions or amendments, whichever is first, shall extend these deadlines to at least 60 days after July 25, 2020, or the expiration of the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation 20-25 Stay Home – Stay Healthy and any subsequent extensions or amendments, whichever is first, to give policyholders a meaningful opportunity to meet reporting requirements for withheld depreciation payments.”
Health Insurance
Massachusetts: On June 25, Commissioner Anderson released Bulletin 2020-21, which continued relaxation of prior authorization procedures in response to COVID-19. The Bulletin discusses the Division’s expectations that carriers take steps to relax prior authorization related requirements until September 30, 2020, including forgoing prior authorization review or concurrent reviews for scheduled surgeries and behavioral health, devoting carrier resources to assist hospitals with discharge planning, providing hospitals additional time to respond to carrier request for claims review information, and exploring ways to streamline coding and billing policies.
