After two years as your Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, I still smile every morning when I walk into the office. I am proud of the work we do to protect consumers, educate Montanans, and serve the people of this great state. From top to bottom, I am humbled by the work ethic, knowledge, … Read more
Beginning January 1, physicians, hospitals, and air ambulances will no longer be able to “balance bill” patients for certain care outside of their insurance company’s network. Surprise billing occurs when a patient receives care from a healthcare provider, often but not always in an emergency situation, outside of the patient’s current health plan network. In other … Read more
HOW THE NO SURPRISES ACT AFFECTS THE UNINSURED What is the NSA? When it comes to surprise medical bills, it’s the No Surprises Act, originally passed during the Donald Trump Administration, that took effect on January 1, 2022. The No Surprises Act (NSA) protects individuals with private health insurance from surprise medical bills. In other words, … Read more
Hundreds of Montanans have been displaced due to wildfire, sometimes forcing them to drive long distances, find hotel rooms, and purchase additional clothing and other life necessities. This is Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing. Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover living expenses associated with displacement due to wildfire. Make sure to keep receipts and document all costs … Read more
“Purchasing Car Insurance After The Accident is Fraud and Often a Felony Purchasing car insurance from a smartphone is convenient. It takes just minutes to jump on the internet, get a quote, and purchase a policy. This doesn’t give license to purchase insurance “after the fact” and try to make an insurance claim. This is … Read more
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Before ordering your first green beer, make sure to plan a safe ride home. Driving under the influence is dangerous for all of us, and you may find yourself spending the night in jail. A DUI can lead to hefty fines, jail time, community service, and a revoked driver’s license. In … Read more
“With temperatures in the negatives across the state, it’s easy to forget that summer is around the corner. Warm spring and early summer temperatures mean two things in Montana: road construction and flooding. A homeowner’s insurance policy does not typically cover flood damage. Now is the time to evaluate your flood risk and consider purchasing … Read more
Our agency has settled a nationwide scheme perpetrated by Metals.com affecting several Montanans ─ who collectively invested more than $2.9 million in precious metals. Our investigation alleged Metals.com advised potential investors their current securities holdings were unsafe and risky and should be liquidated in order to be invested in precious metals. Metals.com representatives also misled … Read more
The Biden Administration is requiring private health plans and insurance companies to reimburse their members for the cost of over-the-counter rapid COVID tests. This new requirement means individuals with private health insurance can submit a claim to their insurance company for FDA-approved tests purchased by the member for at-home use. Due to the limited supply … Read more