None

Big “I” Responds to Administration’s MLR Decision

Association disappointed in dismissal of NAIC recommendations.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 2, 2011 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcement of the Obama administration’s final rule on Medical Loss Ratios (MLRs). The recommendations by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) were not accepted.

The following statement is by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of government affairs:

“The Big ‘I’ is extremely disappointed in the final rule issued by HHS today on Medical Loss Ratios. HHS completely ignored the NAIC’s recently passed resolution in which the Commissioners urged HHS to provide agents and brokers with relief from the MLR calculation. This relief is essential in order for consumers to have continued access to the professional services of agents and brokers. It was our association’s understanding that the Administration looked to the state insurance regulators for their expertise on this issue. For this final regulation to have been issued with no changes to the treatment of agent compensation so quickly on the heels of the NAIC’s resolution is surprising and will not only harm our thousands of small business owners but most importantly the consumers they serve. The Big ‘I’ will continue to forcefully advocate for HR 1206, the ‘Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011’ by Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.), which will provide the needed relief legislatively.”

Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.

###