[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H7090-H7091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OBAMACARE
(Mr. CRAMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, Wayne and Leann Buchholz operate a ranch
near Rhame, North Dakota. They have never been active in politics, but
a recent letter from their insurance company has changed all of that,
for their letter informed them that they would be losing their health
care coverage due to the excessive regulations of ObamaCare.
Mr. Speaker, 36,000 North Dakotans are receiving similar cancelation
notices, similar to that of Wayne and Leann. Each of these figures on
this poster represents over 1,200 North Dakotans just like Wayne and
Leann.
On the other hand, only 30 North Dakotans have been able to sign up
for ObamaCare through the first month--not 30,000, not 3,000, not even
300, Mr. Speaker--30. Each figure on this part of the graphic
represents one North Dakotan able to sign up.
Mr. Speaker, in North Dakota, like much of America, a man's word is
his bond. We must help the President make good on his promise and pass
the Keep Your Health Plan Act tomorrow.
IHC Health Solutions,
Independence Holding Group,
Phoenix, AZ, September 30, 2013.
Re Companion Life Insurance Company, Discontinuance of your
Coverage, Contract Amendment to extend coverage until
April 1, 2014
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS AFFECTS YOUR INSURANCE CONTRACT RIGHTS. PLEASE
READ CAREFULLY.
Dear Leann C. Buchholz: This notice is to inform you that
Companion Life Insurance Company (``Companion Life'') will be
exiting the individual major medical insurance market in
North Dakota effective March 31, 2014 at midnight. This
decision was prompted by the increased regulation since the
federal government's passage of its recent federal health
care reform, commonly referred to as the Patient Protection
Affordable Care Act (``PPACA''). The increased regulation
will make it difficult for Companion Life to continue to
operate and compete meaningfully in North Dakota's individual
major medical market. As such, your referenced insurance
coverage will terminate on your first premium due date on or
after our March 31, 2014 market exit (date reflected above),
or earlier if your premium is not received when due.
[[Page H7091]]
Your current coverage with Companion Life has an annual
anniversary date on or after December 31, 2013 but before
March 31, 2014. Typically, you would receive a renewal notice
from us prior to this date with an offer to renew with new
rates. However, since we are exiting the market, we cannot
offer you a renewal on a PPACA compliant major medical
product in calendar year 2014. Instead, we will extend your
current coverage from your policy anniversary date until your
premium due date on or after March 31, 2014. This coverage
will be provided at your current rate. Please find enclosed
an amendatory endorsement to include with your current
insurance contract indicating your health insurance
coverage's new termination date as of April 1, 2014.
We are pleased to inform you that there are many options
for you to secure health insurance coverage after your
coverage termination date with us or prior. You may purchase
insurance in the general marketplace or through the Federal
Exchange. As brief background for you, PPACA created a new
mechanism for purchasing insurance coverage called Exchanges
or Marketplaces, which are entities that have been or will be
set up in states to create an organized and competitive
market for health insurance for qualified individuals and
employers, Please go to https://www.healthcare.gov/
marketplace/individual for information concerning health
insurance coverage on the Federal Exchange.
Please remember that your health insurance with Companion
Life is effective until April 1, 2014, as long your premiums
are paid through that date. It has been our pleasure to serve
as your health insurer, If you have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-518-4510 or
by email at [email protected]
Sincerely,
Companion Life Insurance Company.
____
Companion Life Insurance Company,
Columbia, South Carolina.
Amendment 1
It is understood and agreed that the Policy and Certificate
to which this Amendatory Endorsement is attached is amended
as follows with respect to Covered/Insured Persons residing
in North Dakota as of the effective date of their certificate
evidencing their insurance coverage under the Policy:
Any Renewability or Termination of Insurance provisions of
Your Certificate/Policy that indicates that insurance
coverage will terminate following 180 days after Our decision
to discontinue offering health insurance in the individual
market in the state your coverage was issued is amended by
adding the following:
The health insurance coverage for You and any Dependents
covered under the Policy will terminate on April 1, 2014.
Pursuant to the terms of the Policy, We will continue Your
health insurance coverage at the current rates and benefits
for Insured/Covered Persons up to this termination date,
unless coverage terminates earlier in accordance with the
Policy's provisions regarding termination due to the non-
payment of required premiums when due.
This Amendatory Endorsement is endorsed and made part of
the Policy and Certificate to which it is attached as of
October 1, 2013.
This Amendatory Endorsement is subject to all provisions of
the Policy which are not in conflict with the provisions of
this Amendatory Endorsement. Nothing in this Amendatory
Endorsement will be held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any
of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements, or
limitations of the Policy other than stated above.
In Witness Whereof, the Insurance Company has caused this
Amendatory Endorsement to be signed by its President.
Trescott N. Hinton, Jr.,
President.
____________________