More News Items
PHOENIX—Residents affected by the Wallow Fire may think the worst is over after the flames are extinguished but without proper preparation, a flooding disaster can be around the corner. Wildfire alters the landscape in ways that increase water and mud runoff in burned areas. Under normal circumstances, the forest floor drains, dissipates and absorbs water effectively enough to reduce flooding downstream. Burned forest areas are more unstable and less able to hold water, collecting downstream with increased velocity and often resulting in urban and flash flooding.
In the course of investigating a complaint, the Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) found that American Family Mutual Insurance Company (American Family Mutual), the third largest homeowner insurance company in Arizona, underpaid more than 5,000 Arizona homeowner insurance claims arising from last year’s winter storm (January 2010) and hail storm (October 2010).
The Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) ordered an Arizona building contractor, True-Built Construction, LLC (Weston Farnes), to stop acting as an insurance adjuster without a license. Arizona insurance law requires any person who “adjusts, investigates or negotiates settlement of claims” to have a license from the ADOI.
Phoenix - Gevorg Melkonyan and Elina Arutyunova have been criminally charged for their role in stealing the medical identity of several Arizona patients and then falsely billing insurance companies for medical services never provided. Their conduct created an inaccurate, and potentially harmful, medical history for the patients involved and an administrative headache for the doctors whose names were falsely used.
Phoenix – Wayne Hallock was charged in Yavapai County on 16 felony counts for making false claims under his workers’ compensation insurance.
Consumers who purchased a health benefit plan from an unlicensed health benefits company called American Trade Association, Inc. (ATA), or its affiliates (American Trade Association LLC, Smart Data Solutions, LLC or Serve America Assurance) have until August 31, 2010, to seek a refund on payments made for this unauthorized and possibly fictional “insurance” product.
PHOENIX - Insurance Director, Christina Urias, announced the results of an examination of Health Net of Arizona, Inc. (HN) and Health Net Life Insurance Company (HNLIC). On February 10, 2010, the Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) ordered the companies to pay civil penalties of $83,500 and $153,000, respectively, for insurance law violations that occurred between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. ADOI ordered the companies to take immediate action to correct health care appeals and claims handling violations and healthcare provider grievances.
Pages
Warning - Phishing Scam
We are aware of a phishing scam targeting insurance professionals claiming that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners received a complaint that the professional submitted a falsified claim. This fraudulent email displays the NAIC and CIPR logos, can originate from what appears to be an naic.org or gmail.com email account, and instructs the recipient to click on a link to download the complaint notification.
Certain antivirus products will detect this as a malicious email. If you receive a similar email and have any concerns, contact the NAIC Service Desk at (816) 783-8500 or [email protected].
