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law.
(h) "GAAP" refers to consistently applied United States generally
accepted accounting principles.
(i) "Governmental plan" has the meaning set forth in
IC 27-8-10-1.
(j) "Home state" means the District of Columbia or any state or
territory of the United States in which an administrator is
incorporated or maintains the administrator's principal place of
business. If the place in which the administrator is incorporated or
maintains the administrator's principal place of business is not
governed by a law that is substantially similar to this chapter, the
administrator's home state is another state:
(1) in which the administrator conducts the business of the
administrator; and
(2) that the administrator declares is the administrator's home
state.
(k) "Insurance producer" has the meaning set forth in
IC 27-1-15.6-2.
(l) "Insurer" means:
(1) a person who obtains a certificate of authority under:
(A) IC 27-1-3-20;
(B) IC 27-13-3; or
(C) IC 27-13-34; or
(2) an employer that provides life, health, or annuity coverage
in Indiana under a governmental plan or a church plan.
(m) "NAIC" refers to the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners.
(n) "Negotiate" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-1-15.6-2.
(o) "Nonresident administrator" means a person that applies for
or holds a license under section 12.2 of this chapter.
(p) "Person" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-1-15.6-2.
(q) "Sell" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-1-15.6-2.
(r) "Solicit" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-1-15.6-2.
(s) "Underwrite" refers to the:
(1) acceptance of a group application or an individual
application for coverage of an individual in accordance with the
written rules of the insurer; or
(2) planning and coordination of a benefit program provided by
an insurer.
(t) "Uniform application" means the current version of the NAIC
uniform application for third party administrators.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982,
P.L.165, SEC.1; P.L.26-1991, SEC.18; P.L.26-1994, SEC.10;
P.L.2-1995, SEC.101; P.L.185-1996, SEC.9; P.L.79-1998, SEC.31;
P.L.207-1999, SEC.1 and P.L.255-1999, SEC.1; P.L.132-2001,
SEC.7; P.L.160-2003, SEC.4; P.L.178-2003, SEC.27; P.L.97-2004,
SEC.96; P.L.11-2011, SEC.18.
IC 27-1-25-2
Written agreements
Sec. 2. (a) An administrator may act only if there is a written
agreement between the administrator and an insurer. This agreement
must conform to the requirements of this chapter, which apply to the
functions performed by the administrator.
(b) An agreement between an administrator and an insurer must
be retained by both parties as part of their official records for a
period of not less than five (5) years after the termination of the
agreement.
(c) When a policy is issued to a trustee, a copy of the trust
agreement and all amendments to it must be:
(1) furnished by the administrator to the insurer with which the
administrator has a written agreement; and
(2) retained as part of the official records of the administrator
for a period of not less than five (5) years after the termination
of the trust.
(d) The written agreement required under subsection (a) must:
(1) include a statement of functions that the administrator will
perform on behalf of the insurer;
(2) specify the lines, classes, or types of coverage that the
administrator is authorized to administer on behalf of the
insurer; and
(3) contain provisions concerning the standard of underwriting
required by the insurer.
(e) The commissioner may require any written agreement
executed by an administrator and an insurer to be filed with the
department at the time the administrator applies for a license under
this chapter. The commissioner may require any written agreement
executed subsequent to the original issue of the license to the
administrator to be filed with the department at the time the
administrator is applying for renewal of the license.
(f) An administrator or insurer may, with written notice, terminate
a written agreement for cause as provided in the written agreement.
The insurer may suspend the underwriting authority of the
administrator during the pendency of a dispute regarding the cause
for termination of the written agreement. The insurer shall fulfill
lawful obligations with respect to coverage affected by the written
agreement, regardless of a dispute described in this subsection.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982,
P.L.165, SEC.2; P.L.160-2003, SEC.5.
IC 27-1-25-3
Presumptions as to payment of premiums and claims
Sec. 3. (a) If an insurer utilizes the services of an administrator:
(1) premiums or charges for coverage paid by or on behalf of
the covered individual are considered to have been received by
the insurer when paid to the administrator; and
(2) claims or return premiums paid by the insurer to the
administrator are not considered to have been paid to the
covered individual or claimant until the payment is received by
the covered individual or claimant.
IC 27-1-25-4
Books and records; maintenance; inspection; transfer; ownership;
notice of material change; maintenance of bond
Sec. 4. (a) An administrator:
(1) shall maintain at its principal administrative office books
and records of all transactions between the administrator and
insurers for at least five (5) years after the creation of the books
and records; or
(2) may transfer the books and records of transactions between
the administrator and an insurer with which the administrator
has entered into a written agreement under section 2 of this
chapter to a new administrator if:
(A) the agreement between the administrator and the insurer
is canceled; and
(B) a written agreement for a transfer of the books and
records is made between the administrator and the insurer.
If the books and records are transferred to a new administrator under
subdivision (2), the new administrator shall acknowledge in writing
that the new administrator is responsible for retaining the books and
records of the prior administrator as required under subdivision (1).
The books and records must be maintained in accordance with
generally accepted standards of insurance record keeping.
(b) The commissioner is entitled to inspect all books and records
of the administrator for the purpose of examinations and audits.
Trade secrets contained within those books and records, including
the identity and addresses of policyholders and certificate holders,
financial information concerning the administrator, and the business
plan of the administrator, are to remain confidential. However, the
commissioner may use that confidential information in proceedings
instituted against the administrator.
(c) An insurer is the owner of records that:
(1) are generated by an administrator with which the insurer has
entered into a written agreement under section 2 of this chapter;
and
(2) pertain to the insurer.
However, the administrator retains the right to continuing access to
books and records necessary to fulfill the administrator's contractual
obligations to covered individuals, claimants, and the insurer.
(d) An administrator that is licensed under section 11.1 of this
chapter shall make available for inspection by the commissioner
copies of written agreements with insurers.
(e) An administrator that is licensed under section 11.1 of this
chapter shall:
(1) produce the administrator's accounts, records, and files for
examination; and
(2) make the administrator's officers available to provide
information concerning the affairs of the administrator;
whenever reasonably required by the commissioner.
(f) An administrator that is licensed under section 11.1 of this
chapter shall immediately notify the commissioner of a material
change in:
(1) the ownership or control of the administrator; or
(2) another fact or circumstance that affects the administrator's
qualification for a license.
The commissioner, upon receiving notice under this subsection, shall
report the change to an electronic data base maintained by the NAIC
or an affiliate or a subsidiary of the NAIC.
(g) An administrator that is licensed under section 11.1 of this
chapter and that administers a governmental plan or a church plan
shall maintain a bond:
(1) for the use and benefit of:
(A) the commissioner; and
(B) the insurance regulator of any state in which the
administrator is authorized to conduct business; and
(2) that covers an individual and a person that has remitted
premiums, insurance, charges, or other money to the
administrator in the course of the administrator's business;
in an amount equal to the greater of one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000) or ten percent (10%) of the total of funds administered in
connection with governmental plans or church plans in Indiana and
all other states in which the administrator is authorized to conduct
business.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982,
P.L.165, SEC.3; P.L.2-1995, SEC.102; P.L.160-2003, SEC.7.
IC 27-1-25-5
Advertising
Sec. 5. An administrator may use advertising relating to the
business underwritten by an insurer only to the extent that the
advertising has been approved in writing by that insurer before the
advertising is used.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.160-2003,
SEC.8.
IC 27-1-25-5.5
Insurer responsibilities
Sec. 5.5. (a) If an insurer uses the services of an administrator, the
insurer is responsible for:
(1) determining the:
(A) benefits;
(B) premium rates;
(C) underwriting criteria; and
(D) claims payment procedures;
that apply to the coverage; and
IC 27-1-25-6
Fiduciary status of administrator; fiduciary accounts
Sec. 6. (a) An administrator is a fiduciary in collecting or
returning premiums or charges for the insurer with whom it has a
written agreement for administrative services.
(b) Funds collected by the administrator shall be immediately
remitted to the person entitled to the funds or deposited in a fiduciary
account, which shall be established and maintained by the
administrator in a federally insured or state insured financial
institution.
(c) The administrator shall maintain records clearly showing the
deposits and withdrawals from the fiduciary account for each insurer
with whom it has a written agreement for administrative services.
The administrator shall furnish to the insurer:
(1) upon the insurer's request, copies of the required records;
and
(2) at intervals specified in the written agreement, a periodic
accounting of transactions performed by the administrator
pertaining to the business underwritten by the insurer.
(d) Subject to the written agreement required by section 2 of this
chapter, withdrawals from the fiduciary account shall only be made
for the following:
(1) Remittance to an insurer entitled to the funds.
(2) Deposit in an account maintained in the name of the insurer
with whom the administrator has a written agreement.
(3) Transfer to and deposit in a claims paying account, with
claims to be paid as required under section 7 of this chapter.
(4) Payment to a group policyholder for remittance to the
insurer entitled to the funds.
(5) Payment to the administrator for its commission, fees, or
charges.
(6) Remittance of return premiums to the person entitled to the
funds.
IC 27-1-25-7
Payment of claims
Sec. 7. All claims paid by an administrator from funds collected
on behalf of an insurer shall only be paid on drafts or checks
authorized by the insurer.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982,
P.L.165, SEC.5; P.L.160-2003, SEC.11.
IC 27-1-25-7.5
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.11-2011, SEC.46.)
IC 27-1-25-8
Administrator compensation
Sec. 8. (a) An administrator may not enter into an agreement or
understanding with an insurer if the effect of the agreement or
understanding is to make the amount of a:
(1) commission;
(2) fee; or
(3) charge;
that is payable to the administrator contingent on savings effected in
the adjustment, settlement, and payment of losses covered by the
insurer's obligations.
(b) This section does not prevent an administrator from receiving
performance based compensation for providing hospital auditing
services or other auditing services.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.26-1991,
SEC.21; P.L.160-2003, SEC.12.
IC 27-1-25-9
Delivery of written communications
Sec. 9. Policies, certificates, booklets, termination notices, or
other written communications delivered by an insurer to an
administrator for delivery to its covered individuals shall be
delivered by the administrator promptly after receipt of instructions
from the insurer to do so.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.160-2003,
SEC.13.
IC 27-1-25-10
Notice of relationship; statement of premiums or charges
Sec. 10. (a) An administrator having a written agreement with an
insurer shall provide written notice, which must first be approved by
the insurer, to covered persons advising them of the relationship
among the administrator, the covered person, and the insurer.
(b) When the administrator collects premiums or charges, the
administrator shall state separately the amount of any premium or
charge for coverage specified by the insurer to the person paying the
premium or charge. Additional charges may not be made for a
service to the extent that the charge for the service has been paid by
the insurer.
(c) The administrator shall disclose to the insurer:
(1) charges;
(2) fees; and
(3) commissions;
received by the administrator in connection with the provision of
administrative services for the insurer, including fees or commissions
paid by insurers that provide reinsurance.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982,
P.L.165, SEC.6; P.L.160-2003, SEC.14.
IC 27-1-25-11
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.160-2003, SEC.28.)
IC 27-1-25-11.1
Resident administrator license; commissioner refusal to issue; fees;
notice of material change; maintenance of bond
Sec. 11.1. (a) If the home state of a person is Indiana, the person
shall:
(1) apply to act as an administrator in Indiana upon the uniform
application;
(2) pay an application fee in an amount determined by the
commissioner; and
(3) receive a license from the commissioner;
before performing the function of an administrator in Indiana. The
commissioner shall deposit a fee paid under subdivision (2) into the
department of insurance fund established by IC 27-1-3-28.
(b) The uniform application must include or be accompanied by
the following:
(1) Basic organizational documents of the applicant, including:
(A) articles of incorporation;
(B) articles of association;
(C) partnership agreement;
(D) trade name certificate;
(E) trust agreement;
(F) shareholder agreement;
(G) other applicable documents; and
(H) amendments to the documents specified in clauses (A)
through (G).
(2) Bylaws, rules, regulations, or other documents that regulate
the internal affairs of the applicant.
(3) The NAIC biographical affidavits for individuals who are
responsible for the conduct of affairs of the applicant,
including:
(A) members of the applicant's:
(i) board of directors;
(ii) board of trustees;
(iii) executive committee; or
(iv) other governing board or committee;
(B) principal officers, if the applicant is a corporation;
(C) partners or members, if the applicant is:
(i) a partnership;
(ii) an association; or
(iii) a limited liability company;
(D) shareholders or members that hold, directly or indirectly,
at least ten percent (10%) of the:
(i) voting stock;
(ii) voting securities; or
(iii) voting interest;
of the applicant; and
(E) any other person who exercises control or influence over
the affairs of the applicant.
(4) Financial information reflecting a positive net worth,
including:
(A) audited annual financial statements prepared by an
independent certified public accountant for the two (2) most
recent fiscal years; or
(B) if the applicant has been in business for less than two (2)
fiscal years, financial statements or reports that are:
(i) prepared in accordance with GAAP; and
(ii) certified by an officer of the applicant;
for any completed fiscal years and for any month during the
current fiscal year for which financial statements or reports
have been completed.
If an audited financial statement or report required under clause
(A) or (B) is prepared on a consolidated basis, the statement or
report must include a columnar consolidating or combining
worksheet that includes the amounts shown on the consolidated
audited financial statement or report, separately reported on the
worksheet for each entity included on the statement or report,
and an explanation of consolidating and eliminating entries.
(5) Information determined by the commissioner to be
necessary for a review of the current financial condition of the
applicant.
(6) A description of the business plan of the applicant,
including:
(A) information on staffing levels and activities proposed in
Indiana and nationwide; and
(B) details concerning the applicant's ability to provide a
sufficient number of experienced and qualified personnel
for:
(i) claims processing;
(ii) record keeping; and
IC 27-1-25-12
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.160-2003, SEC.28.)
IC 27-1-25-12.2
Nonresident administrator license; commissioner refusal to issue
license or delay of issuance; fees
Sec. 12.2. (a) An administrator that:
(1) performs the duties of an administrator in Indiana; and
(2) does not hold a license issued under section 11.1 of this
chapter;
shall obtain a nonresident administrator license under this section by
filing a uniform application, accompanied by an application fee in an
amount determined by the commissioner, with the commissioner.
The commissioner shall deposit a fee paid under this subsection into
the department of insurance fund established by IC 27-1-3-28.
(b) Unless the commissioner verifies the nonresident
administrator's home state license status through an electronic data
base maintained by the NAIC or by an affiliate or a subsidiary of the
NAIC, a uniform application filed under subsection (a) must be
accompanied by a letter of certification from the nonresident
administrator's home state, verifying that the nonresident
administrator holds a resident administrator license in the home state.
(c) A nonresident administrator is not eligible for a nonresident
administrator license under this section unless the nonresident
administrator is licensed as a resident administrator in a home state
that has a law or regulation that is substantially similar to this
chapter.
(d) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (h), the
commissioner shall issue a nonresident administrator license to a
nonresident administrator that makes a filing under subsections (a)
and (b) upon receipt of the filing.
(e) Unless a nonresident administrator is notified by the
commissioner that the commissioner is able to verify the nonresident
administrator's home state licensure through an electronic data base
described in subsection (b), the nonresident administrator shall:
(1) on September 15 of each year, file a renewal application and
a statement with the commissioner affirming that the
nonresident administrator maintains a current license in the
nonresident administrator's home state; and
(2) pay to the commissioner a filing fee in an amount
determined by the commissioner.
The commissioner shall deposit a filing fee paid under subdivision
(2) into the department of insurance fund established by
IC 27-1-3-28.
IC 27-1-25-12.3
Resident administrator annual filings
Sec. 12.3. (a) An administrator that is licensed under section 11.1
of this chapter shall, not later than July 1 of each year unless the
commissioner grants an extension of time for good cause, file a
report for the previous calendar year that complies with the
following:
(1) The report must contain financial information reflecting a
positive net worth prepared in accordance with section
11.1(b)(4) of this chapter.
(2) The report must be in the form and contain matters
prescribed by the commissioner.
IC 27-1-25-12.4
Denial, suspension, or revocation of administrator license
Sec. 12.4. (a) The commissioner shall deny, suspend, or revoke a
license issued under this chapter if the commissioner determines that
the administrator:
(1) is in unsound financial condition;
(2) engages in methods or practices in the conduct of the
administrator's business so as to render the administrator's
continued transaction of business in Indiana hazardous or
injurious to covered persons or the public; or
(3) fails to pay a judgment rendered against the administrator in
Indiana not more than sixty (60) days after the judgment is final
and all appeals have been exhausted.
(b) The commissioner may deny, suspend, or revoke a license
issued under this chapter if the commissioner determines that:
(1) the administrator has violated a lawful rule or order of the
commissioner or a provision of the insurance laws of Indiana;
(2) the administrator refuses to be examined or to produce the
administrator's accounts, records, and files for examination;
(3) an individual who is responsible for the conduct of the
affairs of the administrator, including:
(A) a member of the administrator's:
(i) board of directors;
IC 27-1-25-13
Public documents; confidentiality; financial information
Sec. 13. (a) Except as provided by section 4(b) of this chapter, and
except that all provisions of the written agreement between the
administrator and an insurer shall be treated by the commissioner as
confidential and shall not be open to any member of the public for
inspection or copying, all documents submitted to the commissioner
under this chapter are public documents:
(1) when filed by the commissioner; or
(2) thirty (30) days after their receipt by the department.
(b) Any financial information concerning an administrator
submitted by an administrator to the commissioner must remain
confidential and is not open to any member of the public for
inspection or copying. However, the commissioner may use the
financial information in a proceeding under section 12.4 of this
chapter.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982,
P.L.165, SEC.7; P.L.192-1991, SEC.2; P.L.160-2003, SEC.19.
IC 27-1-25-15
Violations; offense; notice
Sec. 15. (a) An administrator acting without a license issued under
this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
(b) The commissioner shall notify the prosecuting attorney or the
attorney general of Indiana of violations under subsection (a).
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.168, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.160-2003,
SEC.20.
IC 27-1-25-16
Presumption of control
Sec. 16. (a) A presumption of control arising under section 1(e)
of this chapter may be rebutted by a showing made in the manner
provided under IC 27-1-23-3(k) that control does not exist in fact.
(b) In the absence of a presumption that control exists in fact, the
commissioner may determine that control exists in fact after:
(1) providing notice and an opportunity to be heard under
IC 4-21.5 to all interested parties; and
(2) making specific findings of fact to support the
determination.
As added by P.L.160-2003, SEC.21.