West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner 2009 Annual ...
West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner 2009 Annual ...
West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner 2009 Annual ...
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Major Activities in <strong>2009</strong><br />
The Plan’s focus in <strong>2009</strong> was on expanding access to <strong>the</strong> high risk pool with broadened legislative<br />
authority. Plan activities included:<br />
Legislation passed permitting <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a premium subsidy program for low-income<br />
individuals<br />
Legislation passed expanding <strong>the</strong> classes <strong>of</strong> individuals eligible to enter without a pre-existing<br />
condition exclusion period<br />
Premiums and product design for Plan Year 2010 (beginning 7-1-<strong>2009</strong>)<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> residency survey<br />
Open enrollment period for members<br />
Updating <strong>the</strong> Plan's Operational Protocols<br />
Outreach activities to promote AccessWV to <strong>the</strong> target population<br />
Financial audit <strong>of</strong> State Fiscal Year <strong>2009</strong> statements<br />
The introduction <strong>of</strong> a new Director, Nancy Maleček<br />
Program Outreach and Related Activities<br />
During <strong>2009</strong>, AccessWV continued to rely on its strategy <strong>of</strong> working through stakeholders to reach <strong>the</strong><br />
target population. Stakeholders include insurance agents, carriers, providers, disease organizations and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r service entities that have contact with potential members. Public appearances by <strong>the</strong> Executive<br />
Director, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Insurance</strong> <strong>Commissioner</strong> and staff from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Offices</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Insurance</strong> <strong>Commissioner</strong> also<br />
contributed to <strong>the</strong> outreach effort.<br />
AccessWV was represented and provided information at <strong>the</strong> Mountain State Arts & Crafts Festival,<br />
Friends <strong>of</strong> Coal Auto Fair, WV State Fair, Forest Festival, Pumpkin Festival, National Associations <strong>of</strong><br />
Health Underwriters, and Growing Healthy Children Conference. The Consumer Services Division <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Offices</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Insurance</strong> <strong>Commissioner</strong> <strong>of</strong>fered information on AccessWV at numerous fairs<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> state. AccessWV continued to provide promotional materials to numerous stakeholders<br />
for distribution and/or display at <strong>the</strong>ir locations.<br />
While many agents inform <strong>the</strong>ir clients about Access WV on a goodwill basis, in <strong>2009</strong>, 24 agents<br />
received a $50 rebate check through <strong>the</strong> one-time referral fee incentive made possible by <strong>the</strong> Board’s<br />
decision to enact <strong>the</strong> Referral Fee Program in 2008. The Program serves as an incentive and<br />
opportunity for agent involvement in AccessWV.<br />
Access WV maintains a toll-free number (1-866-445-8491) as well as a local number (304-558-8264) to<br />
receive calls from prospective applicants. During <strong>2009</strong> AccessWV fulfilled 492 requests for<br />
application packets. Approximately 125 additional callers declined information, most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m because<br />
<strong>the</strong>y considered <strong>the</strong> premiums unaffordable. In such situations, AccessWV staff attempts to refer <strong>the</strong><br />
caller to "safety net" providers or o<strong>the</strong>r organizations that might be <strong>of</strong> assistance.<br />
Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield continued to be <strong>the</strong> most prominent source <strong>of</strong> referrals to <strong>the</strong><br />
phone line accounting for 40 percent <strong>of</strong> all callers who are sent application packets. The internet served<br />
as <strong>the</strong> second most important source <strong>of</strong> referrals, accounting for 13 percent <strong>of</strong> callers. Six percent <strong>of</strong><br />
those receiving kits reported <strong>the</strong>y learned about AccessWV through <strong>the</strong> agents. The remaining 41<br />
percent learned <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program through targeted mailings, flyers in stakeholder <strong>of</strong>fices, various state<br />
governmental agencies including Workforce <strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong>, and miscellaneous sources. The majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> applicants download <strong>the</strong> materials directly from <strong>the</strong> program website, www.accesswv.org.<br />
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