Transcript Highlights:

• able to be counted towards their deductible.
• Generally, the more things that get covered by insurance or are part of insurance, there's more opportunity
• We have no in-network deductible; we do have an out-of-network deductible, which is currently the only
• Then that would meet the deductible.
• We have, if on the high deductible plan. than the deductibles are larger, so would go towards the deductible

Bills: HB3015, HB3521, HB5632, HJR182, SJR57

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 544.002 of the Insurance Code is intended to protect individuals from having insurance companies
• at two types of auto insurance and two types of homeowners insurance to see whether or not Credit scores
• Credit-based insurance scores have been used in insurance for a few decades.
• American National Insurance. Okay.
• Insured patients... ...can't always meet their deductibles or pay their co-pays, and so they don't have

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• I just tell the patient to get on the phone and call the insurance company because what the insurers.
• assign to single insureds.
• , or co-insurance.
• However, Texas requires insurance providers to charge co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance for yearly
• Their study concluded that eliminating co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance for prostate cancer screenings

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• Some small districts in my area chose to do so, believing private insurance would provide more affordable
• of the TRS insurance?
• centers, trying to establish a kind of a cooperative that would bid and solicit bids for health insurance

Bills: HB3014, HB3109, HB3126, HB3474, HB3594

Keywords: gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Globe Life Insurance. I'm here to support Senate Bill 1330. in McKinney, Texas. Thank you.
• And this one really helps improve our ability to educate or tell people about private health insurance

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• options. of companies writing health insurance right now.
• In a 2021 study, it was found that 50% of state insurance commissioners nationwide had joined the insurance
• That way, the insurance cost that we're trying to buy would be less.
• overall availability of insurance in the marketplace.
• I encourage my clients to have high deductibles.

Bills: SB1642, SB1643, SB2530

Keywords: Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, rate approval, consumer protection, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, administrative penalties, coastal counties, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of the major insurers of churches... insurers like Church Mutual, Brotherhood Mutual, and GuideOne
• They were told their insurance policy wasn't going to be renewed because their insurer wasn't writing
• Insurance costs from 2023 to 2024 for the Cowboy Church have covered. $35,000 to insurance companies.
• Their insurance companies...
• This bill doesn't create any new types of insurance or eliminate insurance.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• When I do polling on windstorm insurance...
• I represent the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. Insurance solutions.
• Any insurer may provide personalized property and casualty insurance that creates economies of scale
• We're an insurance distribution firm delivering tailored insurance solutions as individuals together.
• The insured is our client, and the insurance carrier is our trading partner.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• If the claimant or the insured...
• notice prior to the 61st day, it has been documented that insurance companies have deducted the attorney's
• Flood Insurance Program policies.
• It also under flood insurance policy would not just be limited to flood insurance program policies, but
• repair costs minus the deductible.

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Dean. That's it.
• Members, healthcare provider insurance credentialing is a process by which insurers validate the qualifications
• The Texas Department of Insurance requires an insurer to determine a provider's eligibility within 90
• The insurer isn't required to include the applicant in its provider directory until approved under the
• The insurer is entitled to payment from the provider and/or their practice to cover the difference from

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• If the insurer is unable to contact the insured, the insurer denies the third party's claim.
• Insured, there is the insured under the policy, so the insurer needs to work with the actual driver of
• It shifts the duties of both the insurer and the insured.
• An insurance company has a duty when their insured causes an accident and their insured gets sued.
• The insurance company has a duty to defend that insured.

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:46.399><c> in</c> insurance in insurance in Minnesota<00:09:48.320><c> many</c><00:09:48.600><
• </c><00:10:15.000><c> companies</c> new roof by their insurance companies new roof by their insurance
• </c> conversations about dental insurance conversations about dental insurance mostly<00:25:05.840><c
• </c><01:36:51.280><c> insurance</c> affordable auto insurance insurance affordable auto insurance insurance
• policy where they may have a insurance policy where they may have a large<01:46:07.679><c> deductible

Bills: HF2228, HF46, HF856, HF2149, HF2215

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• “What I would say is, as insurance is generally a pass-through, meaning that the insurers are generally
• when a body shop and an insurance adjuster or insurance company could not agree on a loss value, to
• , not health insurance or other types.
• Commissioner to be involved in insurance rates?
• related to homeowners insurance.

Bills: HB3048, HB3259, HB3646, HB3696, HB3780, HB3781, HB3802, HB3818, HB4294, HB4488, HB2929

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Summary: The committee heard a series of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on homeowners insurance rates, transparency, and regulatory oversight. House Bill 3696, a proposed rate-approval style measure for homeowners insurance, drew extensive questioning about whether it would actually lower premiums, its comparison to Texas, the role of the Insurance Department and Attorney General, and possible effects on carriers and agents. The author said the bill was intended to increase transparency and consumer protections, acknowledged it was a work in progress, and agreed to strike the title and keep working with the committee. The bill ultimately passed the committee on a recorded vote. The committee also advanced House Bill 3259, which would prohibit certain health care contract clauses such as all-or-nothing, anti-steering, gag, and most-favored-nation provisions; House Bill 4294, a follow-up to Dylan’s Law dealing with epilepsy-related insurance coverage and neurostimulator devices; and House Bill 4488, which would let the Insurance Commissioner appoint an impartial umpire when a body shop and insurer cannot agree on a loss value. House Bill 3646, a broad and still-developing insurance bill involving rate review, litigation, venue, AI use, and Attorney General involvement, generated substantial concern from members about workability, litigation, and agent exposure. Its author said it was not final, but the committee voted it down. Later, the committee passed House Bill 3048, a cleanup measure for surplus lines licensing laws; House Bill 3780, requiring an independent actuary review as a transparency measure; House Bill 3781, changing the timing from use-and-file to file-and-use with a 60-day review period while the author said he did not want rate approval; House Bill 3802, delaying rate adjustments after a spouse’s death until renewal; House Bill 3818, creating a home and auto savings account framework intended to help policyholders raise deductibles and lower premiums; and House Bill 2929, which limits how far back insurers may look at homeowners and auto claims for underwriting purposes. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition after brief questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• But unfortunately, the federal law does not cover life insurers, long-term care, or disability insurers
• She said, secure life insurance now before you get tested.
• She said, secure life insurance now before you get tested.
• I have pretty good insurance.
• Third, this bill does not undermine the insurance market.

Bills: H5112, S2921, H4914

Keywords: genetic discrimination, genetic testing, genetic information, DNA, hereditary risk, insurance underwriting, life insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, medical privacy, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, insurer regulation, Commissioner of Insurance, chapter 176D, underwriting, hereditary disease, genomics, travel insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• What I would say is, as insurance is generally a pass-through, meaning that the insurers are generally
• By the insurance representatives that I spoke with today.
• House Bill 4488 says that when a body shop and the insurance adjuster or the insurance company don't
• Attorneys that do a lot of insurance litigation.
• involved in insurance rates?

Bills: HB3048, HB3259, HB3646, HB3696, HB3780, HB3781, HB3802, HB3818, HB4294, HB4488, HB2929

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would add a new requirement to the insurance code for life insurers to send written notice of
• The bill would require life insurers that deliver individual life insurance policies...
• life insurance policies, life insurance policies for which payment of the premium is due monthly or
• Council of Life Insurers.
• insurance program, to the private flood insurance and the availability of that.

Bills: HB2428, HB2399, HB2087

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three insurance bills. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice before terminating an individual life insurance policy for nonpayment, including notice of the three-year reinstatement right, and would allow policyholders to designate a third party to receive lapse notices. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said the bill is intended to prevent unintentional lapses, especially for older adults or people with cognitive decline. The life insurance industry supported the consumer goal but asked for a delayed implementation date and noted a need for a small technical amendment. House Bill 2399 would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance, making such agreements void and subject to enforcement by the Insurance Commissioner. The prime sponsor, the OIC, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all testified in support, saying the practice can let contractors take over claim rights, create leverage for inflated claims, and leave homeowners without control over their own insurance claims after a loss. Members asked about steering by adjusters, whether homeowners could still authorize contractors or direct payment, and the size of the proposed $50,000 fine; witnesses said the bill does not bar direct payment to contractors or other lawful representation and that the penalty would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact the Washington Travel Insurance Act, largely based on the NAIC model, to regulate travel insurance sales, licensing, disclosures, and unfair trade practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choices and standardize rules, while the OIC supported much of the framework but raised concerns about claim adjustment by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office asked for language clarifying that existing discrimination and consumer protection laws still apply. The committee then moved into work sessions on flood insurance, wildfire mitigation recommendations from a prior work group, and a feasibility study on a joint underwriting association for certain child care services, with staff and agency presentations outlining current market conditions and policy options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance Federation. Mass. Insurance Federation. Thank you, Chair Feeney.
• “So as more and more patients are switched to high-deductible health insurance plans, the burden of prescription
• on hold with the insurer.
• And when they are insured, they're insured with actual cash value policies, is not replace.
• And the insurance companies do not give you any reason why they're raising the insurance.

Bills: S2732, S2738, S2739

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance, referrals, network providers, payment denial, insurance costs, manufactured homes, homeowners insurance, affordability, state regulations, insurance market, consumer protection, mobile homes, firefighting, water supply, cistern program, rural areas, urban interface, state funding

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on late-filed matters, with testimony focused mainly on two Senate bills: S. 2738, which would create a special commission to study rising insurance costs for manufactured and mobile home residents, and S. 2739, which would establish a program or fund to help communities install and maintain fire cisterns. Senator Kelly Duner and Representative Lisa Field, along with Taunton officials and residents, described sharp premium increases, limited insurer participation, confusing coverage practices, and the impact on seniors, veterans, and low-income homeowners in manufactured housing communities. Several speakers urged the commission to include residents directly and to produce recommendations for more affordable, transparent, and adequate coverage. Local officials from Taunton, Carver, and other communities echoed those concerns, saying many residents face few options, actual cash value policies, and premiums that can exceed $4,000 annually. On the fire cistern bill, fire chiefs from Hopkinton and East Hampton testified that many communities lack municipal water or hydrants and need year-round dedicated water sources to fight structure fires, brush fires, and newer hazards such as lithium-ion battery fires. They said cisterns improve response times, reduce damage, and can help with insurance ratings, but maintenance and funding are often inadequate. A representative of the Massachusetts Insurance Federation supported the concept of helping fire services but objected to funding the program through insurance policy assessments, arguing that such surcharges drive up premiums and should instead be paid from the general fund. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2732, a direct primary care bill filed by Senator Michael Moore. Physicians and medical association representatives said the bill would let direct primary care doctors make referrals for HMO patients and dispense medications directly from their offices. They argued this would reduce delays, improve continuity of care, lower prescription costs, and help patients with transportation or access barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state departments of insurance as a public
• insurance adjuster.
• The Texas Department of Insurance, on their website, advises the insured to seek appraisal before filing
• Today's Texas Department of Insurance suggests the insured check their policy to see if it has that right
• I think if she... ...follows those same guidelines, it'll be good for the insured and the insurer.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute also adds a shared savings cap of $20,000 or the enrollees' insured deductibles and out-of-pocket
• I have been an insurance-based provider, with 98% of my clientele billed through insurance.
• We're seeing increased rates and reduced coverage from private insurance. ...insurers will exacerbate
• If title insurance rates, which are set by the Texas Department of Insurance, are only updated every
• Unlike traditional health insurance plans that often include complicated deductibles or co-insurance

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• law's settlement provisions in an insurance policy guide the insurance claim.
• Janet McDaniel with Pemco Insurance and Marion Smith with the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
• insurance premiums down and protect the health of our insurers and the insurance market.
• Premiums down, and protect the health of our insurers and the insurance market.
• and insurance consumers.

Bills: SB5831, SB6031, SB6178, SB5928, SB5919

Keywords: mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime prevention, penalties, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee heard a tribal gaming compact amendment for the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Washington State Gambling Commission. Testifiers said the amended, restated compact consolidates six prior amendments, updates appendices, and adds new provisions for electronic table games and high-limit room options. The tribe and commission described the agreement as a clarification and modernization of the compact that supports tribal regulation, economic development, and public protection. No questions were raised, and the compact was presented as moving next through the commission and gubernatorial review process. The committee then held public hearings on three bills. SB 5831 would enact the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, creating safe harbors so certain mortgage modifications do not affect lien priority in foreclosure; the sponsor, staff, and Uniform Law Commission said it clarifies current law and helps homeowners and businesses modify mortgages more easily. SB 6178, requested by the Insurance Commissioner, would prohibit post-loss assignments of insurance benefits to contractors in property claims; the sponsor, OIC, and supporting witnesses said it protects vulnerable homeowners after disasters from losing control of their claims, while still allowing direct payment to vendors. SB 6031, also requested by the Insurance Commissioner, would expand and modernize the state’s insurance fraud laws, make insurance fraud a Class B felony, broaden reporting and investigative authority, and improve restitution and prosecution tools; the OIC, anti-fraud groups, and insurers supported it, while the Washington Society of CPAs said concerns would be addressed by amendment. In executive session, the committee considered SB 5928 and SB 5919. Staff described SB 5928 as dealing with wildfire risk scores, insurer disclosure and appeals, rate-filing requirements, and confidentiality, with a proposed substitute making a mitigation-discount standard actuarially sound and correcting a drafting error. The committee adopted the substitute and advanced SB 5928 with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. The committee also advanced SB 5919, which encourages voluntary collaboration between fire districts and insurers on wildfire mitigation incentives for agricultural activities, with a do-pass recommendation to Rules.