Important state disclosures and notices

View specific state disclosures and/or notices for New York, Illinois and Maryland.

Please check below for any state-specific disclosures and/or notices that may affect you.

• New York: Confidentiality and domestic violence (NY Law 2612; Reg 168)
• Illinois: Confidentiality and domestic violence (IL Law 215 ILCS 5/355b)
• Maryland: Consumer advisory: Protect yourself against mail delivery delays

New York: Confidentiality and domestic violence (NY Law 2612; Reg 168)

New York Insurance Law § 2612, with respect to all insurers regulated under the Insurance Law, including health maintenance organizations (“HMOs”), provides in relevant part that if any person covered by an insurance policy delivers to the insurer a valid order of protection against the policyholder or other person covered by the policy, then the insurer is prohibited for the duration of the order from disclosing to the policyholder or other person the address and telephone number of the insured, or of any person or entity providing covered services to the insured. If a child is a covered person, then the right established by this section may be asserted by the child’s parent or guardian.

Effective January 1, 2013, Insurance Law § 2612 also requires a health insurer, as defined in that section, to accommodate a reasonable request made by a person covered by an insurance policy or contract to receive communications of claim‐related information by alternative means or at alternative locations if the person clearly states that disclosure of the information could endanger the person If a child is the covered person, then this right may be asserted by the child’s parent or guardian.

Except with the express consent of the person making the request, a health insurer may not disclose to the policyholder: (1) the address, telephone number, or any other personally identifying information of the person who made the request or child for whose benefit a request was made; (2) the nature of the health care services provided; or (3) the name or address of the provider of the covered services.

The New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department”) has promulgated 11 NYCRR 244 (Insurance Regulation 168), which requires insurers to develop and implement confidentiality protocols. For health insurers, this also must include written procedures by which a person may make a reasonable request to receive communications of claim‐related information by alternative means or at alternative locations and procedures for revoking such a request.

The Department also has drafted a model confidential communication request form that a health insurer may require a person submit when making a reasonable request. For further information on domestic violence services, you can contact the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline by dialing 1-800-942-6906 or by accessing the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website.

For life insurance and annuities: Please print and complete the form and submit the form and a valid order of protection to the insurance carrier. Insurance carrier mailing information is provided on the form.

For health insurance: Please print and complete the Confidential Communication Request form and submit to the insurance carrier. Insurance carrier mailing information is provided on the form.

Illinois: Confidentiality and domestic violence (IL Law 215 ILCS 5/355b)

Illinois Law 215 ILCS 5/355b requires all health insurers to accommodate a reasonable request by an insured to receive insurer communications of claim or billing related information by alternative means or at alternative locations if the insured clearly states that disclosure of all or part of the information could endanger him or her.

To request confidential communication, complete the form below.

Confidential Communication Request form

To revoke the request for confidential communication, complete the form below.

Revocation of Confidential Communication Request form

The phone number for the State of Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline is 1-877-863-6338.

Maryland: Consumer advisory: Protect yourself against mail delivery delays

The Maryland Insurance Administration is aware that mail delivery delays have resulted in the cancellation or non-renewal of insurance policies for non-payment of premium. Sometimes this is because bills are not being delivered on time and sometimes it is because payment is not being delivered on time. While insurers are often willing to work with consumers to address late payments resulting from mail delays, there are a few easy steps that you can take to protect yourself.

• Know when your payments are due. If you have not received your bill or are not sure when your premium is due or how much you are required to pay, call your insurer or insurance producer (agent or broker) NOW to find out when payments are due, how much you must pay, and where/how payments can be made. Make sure that you write down the date and time of the call, the information you are given, and the person you spoke with.
• Sign up for electronic notices and billing if you can. Contact your insurer to sign up for electronic receipt of notices and bills so that you do not have to depend on the mail. If you are uncomfortable with email, a family member or trusted advisor may be able to help. Some insurers will provide both paper and electronic notices and bills if you ask them to.
• Pay electronically, by phone, or in person if you can. There are many electronic payment methods that may be available to you. Insurers and agencies may accept payment by credit card or by an authorized debit of your bank account either by providing that information by phone or by accessing a web-site or an app. If you have access to the internet or smartphone technology, go on-line to review your payment options or contact your insurer or insurance producer for guidance. Remember, never give out personal information, including policy information or financial/banking/credit card information to someone who calls you! When you make electronic payments, make sure that you write down confirmation numbers, print receipts and/or take screen shots of the payment confirmation as evidence of your payment.
• Consider automatic withdrawals from your bank account. If you pay your insurance premium using recurring payments, talk to your bank and your insurer about how to set up automatic transfers from your account.
• Make sure you have proof of payment/mailing. If you must use the United States Postal Service (USPS) to pay your premium, allow significant additional lead time in mailing and protect yourself by using the priority mail service or by securing a proof of mailing receipt. Both options can be obtained at any USPS kiosk or at the service counter. At this time, a proof of mailing certificate costs $1.50. Information regarding certificates of mailing can be found here: Certificate of Mailing - The Basics.

If you have experienced an insurance problem due to delays in USPS mail delivery, contact the Maryland Insurance Administration for assistance at 1-800- 492-6116.