Beginning on January 1, 2025, Ascension Personalized Care (APC) will no longer offer insurance plans. Client coverage will continue through December 31, 2024, at which point members are eligible to find new insurance during the Open Enrollment Period.

APC plans to send print and digital communications directly to clients beginning July 1, 2024. These letters will explain the withdrawal, continued coverage throughout the year, and options for finding new insurance next year to ensure members understand the impact and feel supported through Open Enrollment.

Agents will receive copies of these communications before their clients and are asked not to share these materials or other information with members until after July 1.

At this time, agents or members are not needed to take action.

Members can only enroll in or change plans outside of Open Enrollment if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Members can qualify for Special Enrollment based on certain life events, like marriage or having a baby. APC's removal of its health plans from the marketplace at the end of the year does not qualify members for Special Enrollment.

Agents looking for a new carrier to move current APC clients to can call Messer Financial Group for assistance at 866-568-9649.

Producer World offers several self-service tools agents can use to help clients. These mechanisms can assist members with ordering ID cards and submitting inquiries. Other time-saving options are also available.

The NAIC Best Interest Standard was enacted in New Hampshire on February 16, 2024. There are two updates necessary to conduct business.

Required Training

• Life insurance producers licensed on or after February 16, 2024, must complete an annuity training course that meets the newly adopted INS 305 requirements before selling annuity products.
• Life insurance producers licensed before February 16, 2024, and who completed the annuity training course before January 1, 2024, will have until August 16, 2024, to complete the annuity training course, which meets the requirements of the newly adopted INS 305.
• Life insurance producers who were licensed before February 16, 2024, and who completed the annuity training course that meets the requirements of the newly adopted INS 305 on or after January 1, 2024, will be deemed by the department to be compliant with the rule's new training requirements.

New Disclosure Form

• A new state-required disclosure form is available to help agents describe the nature of their client relationships.

The Department of Insurance in New Hampshire granted carriers a 60-day grace period, between February 16 and April 17, 2024, to become compliant with the new requirements of the INS 305. During this time, the Department withheld enforcement action against carriers to allow carriers time to comply with the new requirements. Agents who have not completed the training within the allotted time will have their commissions withheld until training is complete. All producers on the application must complete the continuing education and product-specific training.

Tracking medical bills and managing the associated paperwork can be daunting. To reduce the amount of paperwork received and to stay organized, New Era Life Insurance Companies now provide Episodic EOBs.

If you’re not already using F&G’s Illustration Software for your business, there has never been a better time to get acquainted with F&G and the software product that aligns with writing annuity business.

Michigan

Michigan Governor Extends Disaster-Related SEP

Please be advised that due to recent catastrophic events, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has retroactively extended the disaster-related SEP in nine Michigan counties.

An SEP exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a Federal, state, or local government entity who were unable to and did not make an election during another valid election period.

Incident period: 8/24/2023 - 8/26/2023

SEP start date: 8/24/2023

SEP end date: 4/30/2024

Impacted counties: Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Wayne
 

 
Alaska

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides

SEP incident dates: 11/20/2023 - 04/13/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 11/20/2023 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Wrangell Cooperative Association

 

Kentucky

Declaration information

State declaration: Severe Weather System

SEP incident dates: 03/14/2024 - 05/11/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 03/14/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All counties

 

Maine

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 01/09/2024 - 04/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/09/2024 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York Counties

 

Rhode Island

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 12/17/2023 - 04/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 12/17/2023 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Kent, Providence, and Washington Counties

 

Declaration information

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 01/09/2024 - 04/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/09/2024 - 05/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Kent, Providence, and Washington Counties

 

Texas

Declaration information UPDATE: Renewal and removal of 10 counties

State declaration: Drought

SEP incident dates: 07/08/2022 - Ongoing

This SEP declaration is effective: 07/08/2022 - Ongoing

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Bandera, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Calhoun, Cameron, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Culberson, Eastland, El Paso, Erath, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kendall, Kerr, Lampasas, Llano, Maverick, McClennan, Medina, Presidio, Travis, Uvalde, Willacy, and Williamson Counties

 

Declaration information RENEWAL

State declaration: Wildfires

SEP incident dates: 02/26/2024 - 05/24/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/26/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Fannin, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gray, Gregg, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, Kent, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Nacogdoches, Newton, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Stonewall, Swisher, Terry, Throckmorton, Upshur, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Yoakum, and Young Counties

 

1. Local Declaration: *New* El Paso City - Migration Crisis
1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 2/29/2024
3. SEP End Date: 5/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso
2. State Declaration: Drought

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 9/21/2023
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

1. State Declaration: Wildfire Disaster - July/August

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date:  8/22/2023
3. SEP End Date: 3/31/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

1. Local Declaration: El Paso City Disaster - Migrant Crisis

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 5/1/2023
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso

1. State Declaration: Renewed/Amended “Border Security" Disaster

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 5/31/2021
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: El Paso, Hudspeth

 

Washington

Declaration information

State declaration: January Winter Storms

SEP incident dates: 01/05/2024 - 05/12/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/05/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanagan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties

 

California

Declaration information RENEWAL: Added additional counties

State declaration: Atmospheric River ("early February 2024 storms")

SEP incident dates: 02/03/2024 - 06/18/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/03/2024 - 07/31/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Alameda, Butte, Glenn, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Sutter, and Ventura Counties

State Declaration: February 2024 Storms
SEP Incident Date: 2/4/2024
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Ventura

State Declaration: January 2024 Storms
SEP Incident Date: 1/23/2024
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: San Diego, Ventura, San Mateo, Santa Cruz

Federal Declaration: FEMA DR-4758-CA Severe Storm and Flooding
SEP Incident Date: 1/21/2024
SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
Counties Affected: San Diego

State Declaration: LA I-10 Highway Fire
SEP Incident Date: 11/11/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Los Angeles

State Declaration: Hillary Tropical Storm
SEP Incident Date: 8/18/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura

State Declaration: Winter Storms
SEP Incident Date: 3/1/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Alameda, Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo, Ventura

State Declaration: December 2022 - January 2023 Storms (Atmospheric River)
SEP Incident Date: 12/24/2022
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: All California Counties

 

Maryland

Declaration information

State declaration: Francis Scott Key Bridge Disaster

SEP incident dates: 03/26/2024 - 05/23/2024

This SEP declaration is effective: 03/26/2024 - 06/30/2024

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All counties

 

Arizona

State Declaration: Excessive Heat
See Declaration HERE
SEP Incident Date: 8/11/2023
SEP End Date: Ongoing
Counties Affected: Maricopa

Florida

1. State Declaration: North Florida Tornadoes
1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 1/9/2024
3. SEP End Date: 5/31/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval
2. State Declaration: "Impacts of War in Israel"

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 10/12/2023
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: Tropical Storm Idalia

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 8/26/2023
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: Illegal Migration

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 1/6/2023
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: “Hurricane Nicole” (Amended)

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 12/13/2022
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

1. State Declaration: “Hurricane Ian” (Amended)

1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 9/22/2022
3. SEP End Date: 6/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Clay, Duval, Manatee, Sarasota

 

North Carolina

1. State Declaration: Severe Weather Event
1. See Declaration HERE
2. SEP Incident Date: 1/8/2024
3. SEP End Date: 4/30/2024
4. Counties Affected: Chatham, Johnston, Wake, Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, Davie, Wilkes, Buncombe, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, Avery, Henderson, Madison, Orange