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Check out PIA Peers!
What a strange and unusual time, particularly for an association that is
great about gathering together! In response, PIA of Louisiana has created
a new group on Facebook:
PIA of Louisiana Peers. We invite you to join us!
If you have questions for other states, you can also join the National
version of this group,
PIA Peers. Lastly, if you are not following already,
please be sure to keep up with us via the
PIA of Louisiana Facebook page. You, our members, are
in our thoughts and your PIA of LA staff and leadership pray for health and
wellness for each of you and your loved ones. Stay safe!
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PIA Coronavirus Resources
In the rapidly evolving situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic,
PIA has started a resource webpage. We will be making continued updates
to this page, but wanted to share the landing page with you:
www.pianet.com/coronavirus.
Resources from PIA, the CDC, and our industry partners can be used to
assist you in adapting to the new environment. Insurance agencies
should consider implementing safeguards to reduce
exposure to illness.
New FC&S Podcast Examines COVID-19
Insurance Issues
A
new podcast from FC&S and PropertyCasualty360.com
highlights some of the issues for insurers surrounding COVID-19. t's the first
segment in a new insurance-related podcast series entitled, Insurance
Speak.
In the first segment, Christine Barlow, managing editor of FC&S Expert
Coverage Interpretation, looks at the lines of insurance most likely to be
affected by the COVID-19 disease, discusses which areas are likely to see the
most claims, and explains the role of policy interpretation and why this is so
important for carriers and policyholders alike.
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Donelon Issues Emergency Rule 37 to
Address
Telemedicine and Network Adequacy
Commissioner Jim Donelon issued Emergency Rule 37 to address the statewide
public health emergency declared to exist in the state of Louisiana as the
result of the imminent threat posed to Louisiana citizens by COVID-19.
"Promulgating Emergency Rule 37 continues the proactive stance of the LDI
to provide guidance to insurers, healthcare providers and consumers on the
importance of network adequacy," said Donelon. "Not only does prudent use
of telemedicine services promote social distancing, these services also
provide a powerful tool to maintain access to critical care during this
event."
In summary Emergency Rule 37:
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Expands access to telemedicine services so Louisiana residents can
continue receiving necessary care without a visit to a hospital or clinic,
including permitting telemedicine visits conducted through the patient's
phone or personal device.
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Requires insurers to cover mental health services via telemedicine to
the extent they would be covered in-person, except for treatments that are
not appropriate for remote delivery.
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Broadens telehealth availability by waiving restrictions requiring
patients to only conduct telemedicine visits with providers in the insurer's
existing telemedicine network.
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Requires insurers to evaluate their out-of-network cost sharing to ensure
patients are not unreasonably charged extra cost sharing amounts under their
insurance policy if in-network access becomes limited during the event.
The full text of Emergency Rule 37 can be found
here.
Additionally, other COVID-19 resources and FAQ's are available at
www.ldi.la.gov.
About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department
of Insurance works to improve competition in the state's insurance market while
assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they
need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces
the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that
insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can
contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting
www.ldi.la.gov.
OSHA Reminds Employers COVID-19 Is a
Recordable Illness
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
released guidance to help employers prepare their
workplaces for an outbreak of COVID-19 — along with a reminder that any
incidents of employees contracting the novel coronavirus at work are
recordable illnesses, subject to the same rules and failure-to-record fines
as other workplace injuries and illnesses.
While OSHA specifically exempts employers from recording incidents of employees
contracting common colds and the flu in the workplace, COVID-19 is
not exempt,
the agency noted in a new document.
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Thanks to Our 2020 PIA Partners:
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Capital Premium Financing
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Gulf States Insurance Co.
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LUBA Workers' Comp
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Markel FirstComp
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National General Insurance
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SafePoint Insurance
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SageSure Insurance Managers, LLC
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Stonetrust Commercial Ins. Co.
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Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana
4021 W. E. Heck Ct., Building K • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
(800) 349-3434 • (225) 766-7770 • (225) 766-1601 (fax)
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