Topics Related to NCDOI

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has requested that Governor Roy Cooper determine that financial services, including insurance services, be deemed essential businesses that will remain open to the public throughout the COVID-19 health emergency.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has asked the state’s  insurance companies to unify processes and remove barriers to make it easier for citizens to obtain diagnostic testing and treatment needed for COVID-19.

“It’s critical we have consistency within the industry as we think outside the box to help our citizens,” said Commissioner Causey. “I am also encouraging the medical community and insurers to process claims as quickly as possible.”

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Amanda Antionette Bailey, 32, of 100 Hunt Club Lane, Raleigh. Bailey was charged with four counts each of identity theft, insurance fraud, and obtaining property by false pretense, all felonies.

Special Agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Bailey of using driver’s license information from four other people to obtain four auto insurance policies from Geico.

The offenses occurred between July 17, 2019, and Oct. 11, 2019.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has directed all health benefit plans licensed by the N.C. Department of Insurance to allow for extra prescriptions as a result of the state of emergency declared by Governor Roy Cooper.

This means covered persons may obtain one refill on a prescription if there are authorized refills and not contrary to the dispensing authority of the pharmacy.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Pavel Gurlov, 37, of 2408 River Oaks Drive, Waxhaw; he is charged with one count of felony obtaining property by false pretense.

The incident occurred in Mecklenburg County between Oct. 29, 2016, and Oct. 30, 2016.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced the changes to Medicare Parts A and B for 2018. Each year, Medicare costs are reexamined to determine if changes need to be made to deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums.

SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, is available to Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to help them understand how the coming changes will affect their coverage in 2018.

Part B – Medical Insurance

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that the North Carolina Rate Bureau has filed notice with the NC Department of Insurance asking for a statewide average increase in homeowners insurance rates of 18.7 percent for 2018. The NC Rate Bureau represents the homeowners insurance companies in the state in asking for this increase.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and the staff of SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, remind Medicare beneficiaries the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is underway and the deadline for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans is Dec. 7th.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Anthony Clayborne Perry, 45, of 311 South LaSalle St., Durham; he is charged with one count of acting as a bail bondsmen without being licensed.

Department of Insurance criminal investigators accuse Perry of conducting bail bond business without being licensed by the North Carolina Department of Insurance during June 2017.

Perry was arrested on Sept. 12 in Durham County with assistance from the Durham County Sheriff’s Deputies and was placed under a $2,000 bond.

Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey is reminding North Carolinians about fire safety on college campuses as students return to school.

"It is important for students to be aware of common fire causes such as cooking, candles, smoking materials and electrical equipment,” said Causey. “As students return to campus, they find themselves in new living situations and need to assess potentially dangerous situations, locate fire extinguishers and test smoke alarms."