Consumer affairs news

By Register Staff
State Insurance Commissioner Thomas B. Leonardi has issued a cease and desist order against three out-of-state companies who have been marketing health insurance products to Connecticut consumers without proper license to do so. The order also names an individual who allegedly aided and abetted in the solicitation of those unauthorized plans.
“This order serves notice to these companies and any company that tries to skirt state regulations that we will find you and hold you accountable. Consumers must have the protection of health care plans backed by licensed entities that are regulated and monitored closely by the state Insurance Department. That protection includes having covered claims paid by the insurer in a timely manner,” Leonardi said.
The order has been issued against:
North Carolina-based Metropolitan Business Alliance, LLC doing business as the National Association of Business Leadership (NABL); New Jersey-based Hudson Valley Consultants (HVC), doing business as CEO Club Benefits; Kevin Dunn, of Montville, N.J., NABL president and managing consultant of HVC.
The Commissioner said the companies, which have largely marketed over the Internet, have 30 days to provide to the department a list of all Connecticut consumers who have enrolled in these unlicensed plans. According to the order, the department may also seek civil penalties.
“We have rigorous requirements for companies to market their plans in Connecticut and there are no exceptions, no shortcuts. Health insurers must be licensed by the department before they can take a dime from consumers,” Leonardi said. “If consumers have any question whether the company they are doing business with is licensed, we urge them to check our Web site or call our Consumer Affairs unit.”
The order requires that the companies immediately stop any and all solicitations, including Internet solicitations, sales or negotiations of health insurance or health discount programs in Connecticut and to Connecticut consumers.
The companies have the right to a hearing before the department and have 30 days to request a hearing before the Commissioner. If no hearing is requested, the facts and findings of the order will be deemed final.
The cease and desist order comes on the heels of a consumer alert issued this week by the department that identifies several unlicensed or unauthorized entities that have been known to market health insurance, limited medical plans or medical discount cards through Web sites, by phone, e-mail and by fax.
The following is a list of unlicensed or unauthorized entities that may be selling health insurance products in Connecticut:
Metropolitan Business Alliance LLC; United States Contractors Association; United States Contractors Trust; Viking Administrators, LLC; Association of Independent Managers; Integrated Insurance Marketing, Inc; AIM Health Plans, Inc; Insurance Resource Group; Venture Support Group, LLC; Southeast Insurance Advisors, LLC; Wilshire Holding, LLC; and World Wide Family Benefits Association, Inc.
To determine whether a health insurance company is licensed to do business in Connecticut:
Call the Department’s Consumer Affairs Team at 800-203-3447
Ask a Question through the Department Web site at www.ct.gov/cid
Verify a license through the Web site at: for a daily updated list of licensed insurers at http://www.catalog.state.ct.us/cid/CLIC/VerifyLicense.aspx





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