Associations, Boards and Councils
The Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) is active in many insurance-related Associations, Boards, Councils and other entities. Below you
will find a brief description of each one, the Office's involvement, and
links to more information.
Associations/Corporations
Citizen's Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) is a not-for-profit,
tax-exempt government corporation whose public purpose is to provide
insurance protection to Florida property owners throughout the state.
The corporation insures homes, businesses and condominiums whose owners
otherwise might not be able to find coverage in the private market.
Citizens Plan of Operation is approved by the Financial Services
Commission (comprised of the Governor, the Chief Financial Officer, the
Attorney General, and the Agriculture Commissioner).
Section 627.351(6), Florida Statutes
The Citizens Market Accountability Advisory Committee (Committee) was created to
assist the Citizens Board in developing awareness of its rates and its
customer and agent service levels in relationship to private market
insurers writing similar coverage.
The Office of Insurance Regulation serves as a member of this Committee.
Section 627.351(6)(c)4.b, Florida Statutes
The Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Mission Review Task Force
(Task Force) was created to analyze and compile available data and to
develop a report setting forth the statutory and operational changes
needed to return Citizens to its former role as a state-created,
noncompetitive residual market entity that provides property insurance
coverage to risks that are otherwise entitled, but unable to obtain such
coverage in the private insurance market. The Task Force dissolved after
submitting its final report to the Governor and Legislature in January
2009.
Citizens Mission Review Task Force Final Report
The Office of Insurance Regulation served as a member of this Task
Force.
Senate Bill 2860 created this Task Force.
During the January 2007 Special Session, the Legislature passed House
Bill 1A which created the Citizens Property Insurance Task Force on
Claims Handling and Resolution Task Force. The Task Force was charged with, among
other things, providing a report containing actions Citizens should use to dispose of the claims remaining open from
the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.
The Task Force expired after issuing its
final report in June 2008.
House Bill 1A (Section 38) - 2007
The Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association (FAJUA) was
created in 1973 for the purpose of establishing and carrying out a
program for providing automobile insurance to qualified applicants
unable to purchase such insurance in the private market.
Section 627.311(4), Florida Statutes
The Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association
(NICA) was created in 1988. NICA manages the Florida Birth Related
Neurological Injury Compensation Plan (Plan) used to pay for the care of
infants born with certain neurological injuries. This Plan is available
to eligible families statewide without litigation. By eliminating costly
legal proceedings, and through professional management of its
disbursements, NICA ensures that birth-injured infants receive the care
they need while reducing the financial burden on medical providers and
families.
Section 766.303, Florida Statutes
The Florida Comprehensive Health Association (FCHA) is a high-risk
health insurance pool that provides coverage to Florida residents unable
to find adequate health insurance coverage in the private market due to
pre-existing conditions or their mental or physical status. The FCHA has
been closed to new enrollment since 1991 and all policies have been cancelled
as of June 30, 2014. The FCHA is in the process of phasing out the administrative operations; to be complete August 31, 2015.
The Office of Insurance Regulation annually approves the FCHA's Plan of
Operation.
Section 627.6488, Florida Statutes
For more information call (850) 309-1200
The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) was created in 1970 to
establish and maintain an operation for processing covered claims by or
against Florida policyholders of member insurance companies which become
insolvent and are ordered liquidated by a court. FIGA's membership is
composed of all Florida licensed direct writers of property or casualty
insurance.
The Department of Financial Services approves FIGA's Plan of Operation.
Section 631.50, Florida Statutes
The Florida Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association (FLAHIGA) was
created in 1979 and is composed of all insurers licensed to sell direct
life insurance, accident and health insurance, and certain annuities in
Florida. In the event that a member insurer is found to be insolvent and
is ordered to be liquidated by a court, FLAHIGA is able to provide
protection to Florida residents who have life and health insurance
policies and certain annuities with an insolvent insurer.
The Department of Financial Services approves FLAHIGA's Plan of
Operation.
Section 631.715, Florida Statutes
The Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (FMMJUA)
is a state-authorized insurance plan for medical malpractice coverage.
The FMMJUA provides professional liability insurance coverage in Florida
for health care providers (e.g., individual physicians, surgeons,
dentists, nurses, physician partnerships or corporations, hospitals,
medical facilities, etc.) that cannot find coverage in the private
market.
The Office of Insurance Regulation annually approves the FMMJUA's Plan
of Operation.
Section 627.351, Florida Statutes
The Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA)
was created in 1993 to provide workers' compensation insurance to
Florida employers who are required by law to maintain such insurance,
but are unable to obtain coverage in the private marketplace.
The Office of Insurance Regulation annually approves the FWCJUA's Plan
of Operation.
Section 627.311, Florida Statutes
Councils/Commissions/Boards
Continuing Care Advisory Council
The Continuing Care Advisory Council (Council) acts in an advisory
capacity to the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office). The Council
recommends to the Office any changes in statutes and rules pertaining to
Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Additionally, upon the request
of the Office, the Council assists with any corrective action,
rehabilitation or cessation of business plan for a provider.
The Office monitors Council meetings. Click
here for more information on Continuing Care Retirement Communities
in Florida.
In 2003, the Florida Legislature placed the regulation of banking,
securities and insurance under two appointed officials who are selected
by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). The FSC, which comprises the
Governor and Cabinet, appoints the Commissioner of the Office of
Insurance Regulation (Office). The Office is administratively housed in
the Department of Financial Services, but reports directly to the FSC.
Commissioner Altmaier presents the following to the FSC: proposed
administrative rules, performance measures, and other items pertaining
to the regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the
business of insurance.
For more information, visit the Office's
Cabinet Affairs page.
Section 20.121,(3)(a)1, Florida Statutes
The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (Commission) was
created in 1995 to serve as an independent panel of experts to evaluate
computer models and other recently developed or improved actuarial
methodologies for projecting hurricane losses.
The Office of Insurance Regulation serves as a member of this
Commission.
Section 627.0628, Florida Statutes
The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board (FHIAB) was established by
the Florida Legislature in 1992 as the Small Employer Health Reinsurance
Program. Its purpose was to promote the availability of health care
coverage to small employers. At that time, FHIAB members were primarily
representatives of health insurers licensed under Chapter 624 or 641 of
the Florida Statutes. In 2005, the Legislature expanded the composition
of the Board to include representatives of employers, an individual
policyholder and a representative from the Agency for Health Care
Administration (AHCA). The FHIAB's responsibilities also were expanded to
include an advisory role on health insurance issues to the Office of
Insurance Regulation, AHCA, the Department of Financial Services, other
executive departments and the Legislature. As a part of that
responsibility, the FHIAB is also required to issue an annual report on
the state of the health insurance market in Florida. The report provides
enrollment and premium data for Florida's commercial health insurance
markets and statistical information on the demographics and rates of
insurance coverage for Florida's employers.
Insurance Commissioner Kevin Altmaier is chairman of the FHIAB.
Section 627.6699(11), Florida Statutes
The Florida KidCare Coordinating Council (Council) is responsible for making
recommendations concerning the implementation and operation of the
Florida KidCare Program.
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Florida KidCare, offers health insurance for children from
birth through age 18, even if one or both parents are
working. It includes four different parts:
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The Office of Insurance Regulation serves as a member of the Council.
Section 409.818(2)(b), Florida Statutes
The Low Income Pool (LIP) was established to ensure continued government
support for the provision of health care services to Medicaid,
underinsured and uninsured populations. The Medicaid Reform Low Income
Pool Council (LIP Council) is charged with advising the Agency for
Health Care Administration on the development of the LIP
plan required by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
pursuant to the Medicaid reform waiver, on the distribution of hospital
funds used to adjust inpatient hospital rates, rebase rates, or
otherwise exempt hospitals from reimbursement limits as financed by
intergovernmental transfers. The LIP Council submits its findings and
recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than February 1
of each year.
The Office of Insurance Regulation monitors the LIP Council meetings.
Section 409.911, Florida Statutes
Medicaid Reform Technical Advisory Panel
The Medicaid Reform Technical Advisory Panel advises the Agency for
Health Care Administration (AHCA) concerning areas of risk-adjusted rate
methodology to be used by the AHCA. This includes recommendations on
mechanisms to recognize the risk of all Medicaid enrollees and for the
transition to a risk-adjustment system, benefit design, data collection
and choice counseling for recipients.
The Office of Insurance Regulation is a member of the Panel.
Section 409.91211, Florida Statutes
National Council on Compensation Insurance Appeals Board
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) files rates for
member companies with the Office of Insurance Regulation for Florida's
workers' compensation insurance coverage.
The NCCI also administers the Florida Workers' Compensation Appeals
Board (Appeals Board), which hears appeals from the application of the rating rules in
accordance with Section 627.291, Florida Statutes. If the consumer
disagrees with the decision of the Appeals Board, then the consumer can
then take their grievance to the Office of Insurance Regulation for
review.
The Office of Insurance Regulation also monitors the activities of the
Appeals Board.
Section 627.291, Florida Statutes
The State Consumer Health Information and Policy Advisory Council
(Advisory Council) assists the Florida Center for Health Information and
Policy Analysis (Florida Center), within the Agency for Health Care
Administration, in reviewing the comprehensive health information
system. This includes the identification, collection, standardization,
sharing, and coordination of health-related data, fraud and abuse data,
and professional and facility licensing data among federal, state,
local, and private entities. The Advisory Council also recommends
improvements and long-range planning for making health care quality
measures and financial data available for consumers to compare health
care services.
The Office of Insurance Regulation is a member of the Advisory Council.
Section 408.05(8), Florida Statutes
Title Insurance Study Advisory Council
In 2008, the Title Insurance Study Advisory Council (Council) was
created to conduct a comprehensive examination of Florida’s title
insurance system and to make recommendations to the Governor and
Legislature on the best course of action regarding title insurance for
both consumers and the industry. Issues that were examined by the
Council included the history of title insurance in Florida, the
regulatory structure, ways to obtain meaningful data to develop title
insurance rates, etc. The Office of Insurance Regulation served as a
member of the Council. The Council expired December 1, 2009, after its
final report was issued.
Title Insurance Study Commission Final Report
Other (Task Forces, Funds, etc.)
Florida Employee Long-Term Care Plan
The Florida Employee Long-Term Care Plan (Plan) is a self-funded or fully
insured, voluntary, long-term care plan for public employees and their
families that provides an opportunity to purchase long-term care
insurance by means of payroll deduction.
The Office of Insurance Regulation is a member of the Plan's Board of
Directors.
Section 110.1227, Florida Statutes
Florida Health Choices was created by the Florida Legislature in 2008 with the goal of increasing
access to affordable small group health products through a statewide insurance marketplace. The
marketplace was intended to focus on products designed for businesses with 4-50 employees. Florida
Health Choices is administered by a 15-member board comprised of appointees chosen by the Governor,
the Senate President, and the House Speaker.
In 2012, Florida Health Choices began rolling out its central web portal in different phases to allow
small businesses, health care agents, and eligible small employers to choose from a variety of health
plans and services. Florida Health Choices is presently offering discount and limited benefit plans through the marketplace. Pre-paid clinic, individual and
group plans are identified as "coming soon."
Section 408.910, Florida Statutes
The Florida Health Maintenance Organization Consumer Assistance Plan
(HMOCAP) protects Floridians by assuring payment for services under
covered subscriber contracts from the date of the insolvency for up to
six additional months, subject to statutory limitations. In addition,
the HMOCAP works with subscribers of insolvent HMOs to find health
care coverage on an ongoing basis.
The Office of Insurance Regulation approves the HMOCAP's Plan of
Operation.
Section 631.811, Florida Statutes
The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) was created in November
1993 during a special legislative session after Hurricane Andrew. The
purpose of the FHCF is to protect and advance the state's interest in
maintaining insurance capacity in Florida by providing reimbursements to
insurers for a portion of their catastrophic hurricane losses.
The Office of Insurance Regulation monitors the FHCF's meetings.
Section 215.555, Florida Statutes
Florida Patient's Compensation Fund
The Florida Patient's Compensation Fund (FPCF) was created in 1975 for
healthcare providers to utilize to pay claims for bodily injury or
property damage sustained by a patient. The FPCF has taken no new
policies since June 3, 1983.
The Office of Insurance Regulation annually approves the FPCF's
Plan of Operation.
For more information call (850) 681-6667.
Section 766.105, Florida Statutes
The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) is a self-regulating
organization that permits surplus lines insurance to be placed with
approved surplus lines insurers and is a source of advice and counsel
for the benefit of consumers, surplus lines agents, insurers and
government agencies concerning the operation of the surplus lines
insurance market.
The FSLSO submits monthly policy reports to the Florida Department of
Financial Services. The FSLSO is also required to prepare and deliver to
each surplus lines agent monthly and quarterly reports of each surplus
lines agent's business and collect a service fee, along with the surplus
lines premium receipts tax as provided in Sections
626.932 and
626.9325, Florida Statutes.
The Office of Insurance Regulation annually approves the FSLSO's Plan of
Operation and budget.
Section 626.921, Florida Statutes
Health Care Transition Services Task Force for Youth and Young Adults
In 2008, the Department of Health was charged with coordinating a Health
Care Transition Services Task Force for Youth and Young Adults with
Disabilities to assess the need for health care transition services for
youth with disabilities, develop strategies to ensure successful
transition from the pediatric to the adult health care system, and
identify existing and potential funding sources.
The Task Force dissolved after it issued a
final report in December 2008.
The Office of Insurance Regulation participated in the Task Force
proceedings.
Senate Bill 988 (2008)
Interagency Committee for Women's Health
The Office of Women's Health Strategy is housed within the Department of
Health for the purpose of improving the overall health status of women
in Florida through research, awareness, and education. The women's
health program works with other state agencies and private organizations
via the Interagency Committee for Women's Health to promote women's
health programs in Florida.
The Office of Insurance Regulation serves as a member of the Committee.
Section 381.04015, Florida Statutes
Long-Term Solutions for Florida's Hurricane Insurance Market Task Force
In 2005, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1486, which created
the Task Force on Long-Term Solutions for Florida's Hurricane Market
(Task Force) and charged the Task Force with gathering information and
making recommendations for ways to ensure that hurricane insurance is
available for Floridians. Over the course of meetings from August 2005
through January 2006, the Task Force gathered information, heard expert
testimony and received public testimony. The report that follows
characterizes the issues examined, the information and testimony
received, and provides a number of recommendations that the Task Force
believes will help to address the short-term and long-term availability
problems.
Commissioner Altmaier served as Chair of the Task Force.
Final Report
The Subscriber Assistance Program is a State of Florida program created
to assist consumers (referred to as subscribers) of managed care
entities, such as Health Maintenance Organizations, Prepaid Health
Clinics, Prepaid Health Plans, and Exclusive Provider Organizations,
with grievances that have not been satisfactorily resolved. If the
subscriber's grievance meets the Program's required criteria, the
program's staff will schedule the grievance for a hearing before the
Subscriber Assistance Panel (Panel). The Panel makes a recommendation
based on the facts, either to the Agency for Health Care Administration
or the Office of Insurance Regulation, to ensure that consumers receive
the quality medical services rightfully.
Section 408.7056, Florida Statutes
Workers' Compensation Three-Member Panel
The Workers' Compensation Three-Member Panel determines statewide
schedules of maximum reimbursement allowances for medically-necessary
treatment, care, and attendance provided by physicians, hospitals,
ambulatory surgical centers, work-hardening programs, pain programs, and
durable medical equipment.
The Commissioner is the Chief Financial Officer’s designee as chair.
Section 440.13(12), Florida Statutes
National Organizations
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the
organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of
Columbia and the five U.S. territories. The NAIC provides a forum for
the development of uniform insurance regulatory policy, when uniformity
is appropriate.
Florida has exercised leadership within the NAIC by serving as members,
Chair or Vice Chair of significant standing committees and continues to
be actively involved in several key committees of the NAIC.
At the Winter National Meeting in December 2008, Commissioner Altmaier
was elected by his peers to become the NAICs Secretary-Treasurer. In
December 2009, Altmaier was elected Vice President. In October 2010, the
Commissioner was elected President-Elect of the NAIC, and served in that
role through December 2011. On January 1, 2012, the Commissioner became
President of the NAIC.
The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) was founded in
1969, to help state legislators make informed decisions about insurance
issues that affect their constituents and to preserve state authority
for insurance oversight.
The Office of Insurance Regulation attends NCOIL meetings as the budget
permits.
International Organizations
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) is made up of five committees (Audit, Implementation,
Executive, Technical and Budget) and numerous subcommittees and task
forces. Commissioner Altmaier is directly involved as a member of the
Technical Committee, which seeks to establish global insurance
regulatory and supervisory standards with its subcommittees, and as a
member of the Executive Committee, which makes all final IAIS decisions.
The Joint Forum was developed in 1996 for the regulators of banking,
securities and insurance to deal with issues that were common among the
three financial sectors. The Joint Forum consists of the
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS),
International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), and the
International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), each of
whom have an equal number of senior supervisors representing each
supervisory constituency.