Iowa Association of Health Underwriters

IOWA INSURANCE DIVISION BULLETIN 20-07

The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in many of Iowa’s insurance producer licensing testing centers being closed, leaving those who want to obtain an insurance producer license unable to do so.  In response, the Iowa Insurance Division has developed a process to issue temporary licenses to those persons undergoing training, but not yet able to take the required insurance licensing examinations. 

The temporary licenses may be obtained under the authority of the Commissioner’s Order until June 1, 2020 or as amended by Order of the Commissioner.  Temporary licenses will expire on the last day of the third full month following the date of the license issuance.  A temporary license will not be issued as a standard license, but rather issued as a certificate that does not include a National Producer Number.

To obtain a temporary producer license, the applicant must have an Iowa licensed resident producer in good standing supervise the business of the individual. The producer sponsoring the applicant must attest to being responsible for all business of the applicant.

Carriers will not be required to make appointments of temporary licensees through the standard appointment filing process. Insurance carriers are allowed to determine the appointment relationship with an individual by receiving a copy of the Iowa temporary license certificate from the licensee. Carriers should keep a copy of the certificate and require an updated license after the expiration of the temporary license to ensure the individual’s continued authorization to engage as an insurance producer.

The procedures for obtaining a temporary insurance license are detailed on the Iowa Insurance Division webpage.  

As described, the temporary producer license will expire after three months.  For a producer to continue to engage as an insurance producer following the expiration of the temporary license, individuals must take and pass the required insurance producer exams, apply for the appropriate license online athttps://www.nipr.com/, and submit the required application fees. 

Although the insurance licensing examination is waived in this procedure, all individuals who wish to obtain a temporary license and engage in the sale of annuity products, indexed products, long-term care or other relevant products must complete all required training prior to the sale of any such products, and all issuing carriers that have appointed a producer must verify appropriate training compliance.  More detail concerning this training is available at: https://iid.iowa.gov/insurance-producer-required-trainings

Questions regarding this process or the form can be directed to Producer Licensing at: producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov or 515-725-0690.

GOV. REYNOLDS SIGNS NEW PROCLAMATION CONTINUING STATE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION, ORDERING ADDITIONAL CLOSURES 

On Monday, April 6, 2020, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures and relaxing additional regulations to support the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. The proclamation also calls on law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of these mitigation efforts. Gov. Reynolds discussed the new proclamation at her 11:00 a.m. press conference. View that press conference on her Facebook page here. To encourage further social distancing and mitigation efforts, the proclamation orders additional closures effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7th until Thursday, April 30th.The full text of the proclamation can be read below and viewed online.

LICENSING RELIEF IN LIGHT OF COVID-19

CARES ACT 

Here, check out the relevant health care sections we've found in the CARES Act.

IOWA SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM GRANT

Resources and information are made available on the Iowa Economic Development website.

Iowa Small Business Relief Program Grant

To be eligible for a small business relief grant, eligible businesses must:   

• Be experiencing business disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic  
• Have employed between 2-25 people prior to March 17, 2020 

The Small Business Relief Grants will assist eligible businesses in maintaining operations or reopening business following the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may not be used to pay debts incurred prior to March 17, 2020.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority will review grant applications for eligibility and will determine the grant amount by the level of impact including loss in sales revenue and employees. Notification of award decisions and disbursement of grant funds will be expedited.

Tax Assistance

The Iowa Department of Revenue will review each application as applicable, to determine if it is appropriate to grant a deferral of the eligible taxes and waiver of penalty and interest.

The dual application for grant assistance and tax deferral is available at iowabusinessrecovery.com. The deadline for applications is March 31 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). The program may be restricted due to funding availability.  

US Small Business Administration Loans

The SBA is now making loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Applications can be made via the SBA’s website.

Unemployment Insurance Claims:

• If you are laid off due to COVID-19 or have to stay home to self-isolate, care for family members or due to illness related to COVID-19, you can receive unemployment benefits, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.  Those requirements essentially include working for wages from an employer who claims you as an employee in six of the last eighteen months and have earned at least $2,500 in the same time period. More specific explanation of benefit eligibility can be found at this link. 
• Claimants can expect to receive payment within 7-10 days after the date the claim is filed.
• Claims that are filed and identified as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19, will not be charged to employers.  Fact-finding interviews for these claims will be waived and not be held although employers will be notified of claims received. 
• IWD will process unemployment insurance payments to ensure payment will continue to be paid in a timely manner. 

“The Iowa Workforce Development team is dedicated to providing assistance to employees and employers affected by COVID-19.  Please do not hesitate to contact myself or our team for assistance at 1-866-239-0843,” said Director Townsend. 

For more information, visit www.IowaWorkforceDevelopment.gov

IOWA INSURANCE DIVISION BULLETIN 

Please review the bulletin shared by the Iowa Insurance Division regarding the impact of COVID-19 on individual and small group coverage.

ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM MOVED TO AUGUST 

Due to an abundance of caution in light of the COVID-19 health crisis, and in order to focus on the well-being and health of you, your families, your employees, and your closest business colleagues, the IAHU Annual Symposium has been moved from June to August. 

MONTHLY CEC PROGRAMS ON HOLD

Using an abundance of caution to our members and attendees, the IAHU Board has made the decision to cancel monthly CEC programs through August. 

IMPROVE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WE HAVE

See what IAHU President James West had to say about facing the unique challenges in tackling the rising cost of today's health care in this Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier article posted November 17, 2019.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and Governor Kim Reynolds both sent IAHU video messages to share with the attendees at the 2019 IAHU Symposium. Watch the videos below to hear what they had to say about the current state of healthcare in Iowa!