For Immediate Release:
June 28, 2023

OID Offers Guidance Following Storm Damage in Eastern Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is available to assist Oklahomans affected by the recent severe storms that swept through Eastern Oklahoma over Father’s Day weekend. Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready encourages residents to contact the OID with insurance questions or concerns at 1-800-522-0071.

“Navigating through the insurance claim process during this time can be confusing and stressful. I would like to remind all Oklahomans that we are here to help if you are overwhelmed by the insurance claim process or have issues with your insurance agent or insurer,” Commissioner Mulready said.

Commissioner Mulready also said understanding your coverage and deductible amount is important to decide whether you want to file a claim. If your damages do not exceed your deductible, the repairs will be an out-of-pocket expense.

The OID shares some commonly asked questions and the answers about storms and home insurance coverage:

1. Will my insurance company pay for repairs if a fallen tree damages my roof? Your policy has a list of covered perils; if the tree falls on your house because one of the covered perils occurred, then the company would pay to remove the tree from the roof and repair the damage to the house. Insurance is not responsible for wear and tear or neglect, so if you have a dead and unsafe tree, they could deny coverage if it just topples from being dead.
2. A tree fell and landed in my yard. Will my insurance pay to remove it?
   Typically, fallen trees are not covered unless it has fallen on your house or driveway. It will cover damage to your fence, roof, troughs, windows, porches and outbuildings. However, debris removal from your yard, in the absence of physical property damage, will generally be at your own expense.
3. If a neighbor’s tree caused damage to my property, are they responsible for damages?
   Only if your neighbor was negligent would their policy pay for your damage. If the damage is from an act of nature, then the neighbor is not liable, and you would need to file the loss with your insurance company or agent.
4. A storm caused my tree to fall on my car. Will my homeowners insurance pay for the damage to my car and to remove the tree?
   The homeowner’s policy pays for damage to the home and for liability when an insured is negligent. In this case, you would need to file the claim with your auto insurance carrier to have the vehicle repaired. If you only had liability coverage, then you would be out of pocket for repairs or replacing the vehicle.
5. Does homeowners insurance cover the cost of a hotel in the event of loss of power?
   In the event of a covered loss, like fire, and your house is uninhabitable during repairs, unsafe living conditions, or loss of utilities, temporary lodging costs are often covered. However, homeowners insurance policies generally won’t pay for additional living expenses such as a hotel room simply because of an off-premises power outage. You would have to have a direct/physical on-premises loss before most insurance carriers would consider Additional Living Expenses (ALE) reimbursements for hotel stays. I encourage you to contact your insurance agent to determine if your policy would provide ALE for your particular situation.
6. Does homeowners insurance cover spoiled food after a power outage?
   The homeowner’s insurance policy generally pays for food spoilage as long as the power outage was caused on your premises. Ask your agent or adjuster to verify how this scenario would be adjusted as it would follow your policy language. Finally, take pictures, keep a detailed list of the food items you had to throw away, and share it with your adjuster. This will assist the adjuster in assessing the loss.

When it comes to effectively submitting home insurance claims, the most important thing is to immediately document the damage to your property. Take photographs of the damage and make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster. Contact your insurance provider to get clarification and details regarding your policy. For more information, please visit our post-disaster resource page at www.oid.ok.gov/AFTER or call OID Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-522-0071.

Media questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

For Immediate Release:
June 15, 2023

Commissioner Mulready Places Friday Health Plans of Oklahoma in Receivership

OKLAHOMA CITY – Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready announced today that Friday Health Plans of Oklahoma, Inc. (FHP-OK) has been placed into receivership due to the declared insolvency of the company.

“Our number one priority is consumer protection,” Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “Given the company’s financial situation, I determined this strong approach was a necessary step to protect policyholders. Through this receivership, we can take control of the company and determine the best path forward for its Oklahoma members.”

FHP-OK was placed into administrative supervision by Commissioner Mulready on April 4, 2023, while the company made reasonable attempts to increase its capital surplus. During this period of supervision, the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) closely monitored the company and determined that continued operation of FHP-OK was not possible.

Placing FHP-OK into receivership allows Commissioner Mulready to take over the day-to-day management of the company’s operations as well as thoroughly examine the finances of the company. Members’ policies will remain in effect for now, and members must continue to pay their premiums to ensure continued coverage.

FHP-OK policies will no longer be effective after August 31, 2023. To ensure FHP-OK members have an opportunity to replace their current policy before it is terminated on August 31, 2023, the OID is coordinating with the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) to implement a special enrollment period. This special enrollment period will allow FHP-OK members to select a new plan. However, members will need to act quickly to prevent a gap in coverage.

The special enrollment period will start on July 2, 2023 and ends on October 30, 2023. If you purchased health insurance from FHP-OK through the Health Insurance Marketplace® you must select a new Marketplace plan by August 31, 2023, to avoid a gap in health insurance coverage. OID has set up a website to assist impacted members with the process of selecting a new exchange health insurance plan.

Below are IMPORTANT DATES to keep in mind:

Finally, providers should continue to service all FHP-OK members and should not demand payment other than the proper cost share associated with the medical service provided and relevant health plan.

FHP-OK is a subsidiary of the Friday Health group. The Friday Health group is Colorado-based and provides health coverage to individuals and families in several states. The company was founded in 2015 and had been operating the FHP-OK HMO since 2021. FHP-OK has approximately 8,200 policyholders in Oklahoma.

Several states, including Oklahoma, are placing the subsidiaries into receivership, a proceeding at the District Court where a third-party is appointed to take control of the company’s assets, finances, and operations and manage the company under the general supervision of the Court.

For more information regarding FHP-OK, please call OID Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-522-0071 or visit oid.ok.gov/fhpok.

Media questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

For Immediate Release:
June 12, 2023

OID Holds Medicare 101 Events to Help Oklahomans Understand and Navigate Medicare

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) announced today that they will host free educational events for Medicare beneficiaries in Oklahoma this summer. These events aim to provide unbiased Medicare resources to consumers and offer them an opportunity to ask questions directly to industry experts.

Medicare 101 is designed to help Oklahomans understand the complexities of Medicare and make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. Whether they are approaching Medicare eligibility or looking to enhance their existing coverage, these events will provide the necessary insights to navigate the Medicare maze.

The events will be held in the OID’s public conference room, located at 400 NE 50^th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105. Each event will run from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will be open to the public.

Medicare 101 Event Schedule

• June 19, 2023, at 2 p.m.
• July 17, 2023, at 2 p.m.
• August 21, 2023, at 2 p.m.
• September 18, 2023, at 2 p.m.

“Our goal is to help Oklahomans feel knowledgeable about Medicare. These events are great for people who are new to Medicare or want a refresher. Our trained counselors will be there to answer any questions,” said Ray Walker, MAP Director.

Registration for the Medicare 101 events is not required. However, attendees are encouraged to arrive early as seating will be limited. For more information about the Medicare 101 Events and other educational resources offered by MAP, please visit map.oid.ok.gov or call 800-763-2828.

About MAP

MAP is part of the national Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP) network, funded in part by the U.S. ACL, Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling. MAP provides one-on-one counseling and information for people eligible for Medicare. All services are free, unbiased, and confidential.

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

For Immediate Release:
June 6, 2023

New Monthly Webinar Series: Medicare Mondays

Oklahoma Insurance Department Successfully Launched Its First Webinar

OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, the Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) at the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) successfully launched its new monthly webinar series, Medicare Mondays. The Medicare Mondays webinar series aims to provide unbiased information and valuable insights on various aspects of Medicare to help Oklahomans navigate the complexities of Medicare. 

Medicare Mondays will consist of short, concise 30-minute webinars, starting at 10 a.m. This virtual event will cover a wide range of topics, including Medicare fraud prevention, different parts of Medicare, Medicare Open Enrollment and more. Each session will be packed with essential information designed to educate attendees with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions on their Medicare plans. 

OID’s MAP Director Ray Walker will be the main speaker for all webinars in the series. With 12 years of experience in the field, Walker brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to each session. In addition to Walker’s insights, the series will also feature occasional guest speakers, further enriching the learning experience. 

“We’re excited to launch the Medicare Mondays webinar series,” said Walker. “We know you’re busy, and there is a lot of information out there, which is why we’ve designed this webinar series as an opportunity to get unbiased answers to your big Medicare questions.” 

Registration for the Medicare Mondays webinar series can be accessed through the MAP website at map.oid.ok.gov. Participants are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot as spaces are limited. 

Medicare Mondays Webinar Series Schedule 

• July 10 at 10 a.m. – Low-Income Assistance Programs  
• August 7 at 10 a.m. – Medicare Options (Getting Ready to Retire) 
• September 11 at 10 a.m. – Get Ready for Open Enrollment  
• October 2 at 10 a.m. – Open Enrollment 
• November 6 at 10 a.m. – Medicare Marketing Guidelines 
• December 4 at 10 a.m. – Medicare Changes for 2024 

For more information about the Medicare Mondays webinar series and other educational resources offered by MAP, please visit map.oid.ok.gov or call 800-763-2828. 

About MAP 

MAP is part of the national Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP) network, funded in part by the U.S. ACL, Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling. MAP provides one-on-one counseling and information for people eligible for Medicare. All services are free, unbiased, and confidential. 

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221

For Immediate Release:
May 16, 2023

Insurance Commissioner Mulready to Testify at Congressional Committee

Oklahoma Regulator Will Share Perspective from Nation’s Leading PBM Regulatory Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready will testify in front of the United States House Ways and Means Committee this week. The committee invited Commissioner Mulready to share Oklahoma’s story on developing one of the strongest Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) compliance programs in the country. Since 2021, Oklahoma has built a robust regulatory program that has issued over $3.5 million in fines and returned over $700,000 to local independent pharmacies through administrative action and settlement agreements.

Oklahoma has been a leader in this national conversation. Through its membership with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Commissioner Mulready has shared many best practices with fellow states.

“I appreciate the opportunity to share our story with members of Congress,” Mulready said. “I am hopeful that our successful efforts to defend legal challenges, hold PBM’s accountable with administrative actions, and work with our legislature to make key policy changes will be a roadmap for others.”

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) currently serves as vice-chair of the NAIC PBM Working Group. It has been a leading contributor to developing best practices for fellow regulators. OID has a team of investigators, attorneys, and license administrators who have resolved over 200,000 violations, issued over 15 administrative orders, and is a leading voice for PBM regulation with industry representatives and policymakers nationwide.

For more insurance information, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

Questions or comments should be directed to
Chief of Communications, Liz Heigle
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov | (405) 819-2221