Governor Greg Abbott has rescinded suspensions of insurance-related statutes and rules issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective September 20, 2021. This bulletin outlines actions the Texas Department of Insurance is taking to return to the ordinary course of business.
Statutory suspensions lifted and TDI action taken
- Telehealth and telemedicine: The Governor originally suspended Texas Insurance Code Section 1455.004(c) to the extent necessary to require health benefit plans to provide coverage for a covered telemedicine medical service or a telehealth service provided through an audio-only phone consultation. All requirements of Section 1455.004 will resume on September 20, 2021.
- Prompt payment: The temporary extension of claim-handling deadlines, as outlined in Commissioner’s Bulletin B-0007-20, is canceled and superseded by this bulletin. As a result, an automatic extension of claim-handling deadlines will no longer be available for claims submitted to carriers on or after September 20, 2021.
- Continuing education: The temporary suspension of certain fees for Texas-licensed insurance agents, as outlined in Commissioner's Bulletin B-0008-20, is canceled and superseded by this bulletin. Fines for not timely completing continuing education requirements resume on September 20, 2021.
- Licensing and fingerprinting: The temporary suspensions of certain licensing requirements, as outlined in Commissioner's Bulletins B-0008-20, B-0009-20, and B-0014-20, are canceled and superseded by this bulletin.
- Fingerprints must be submitted with applications and filings that require them beginning September 20, 2021.
- Those who submitted applications and filings before September 20, 2021, without fingerprints must file fingerprints before approval will be granted unless TDI otherwise granted approval subject to certain conditions.
- Fire industry licensees who received a license without submitting fingerprints will need to submit fingerprints before license renewal.
- The URAs and IROs that were certified without fingerprints will need to submit fingerprints before license renewal.
- Fingerprint locations are open. To avoid delays, applicants are encouraged to complete fingerprint requirements as soon as possible.
- Fingerprints must be submitted with applications and filings that require them beginning September 20, 2021.
- Temporary licensing: The temporary suspensions of certain licensing requirements and fees for Texas-licensed insurance agents, as outlined in Commissioner's Bulletin B-0008-20, are canceled and superseded by this bulletin.
- A temporary license issued before September 1, 2021, will expire on November 29, 2021. Those with a temporary license must submit fingerprints and complete the application process before their temporary license expires to avoid a gap in licensure.
- Under new statutory changes, temporary licenses issued on or after September 1, 2021, are valid for 180 days.
- The normal fee of $150 will resume on September 20, 2021.
- A temporary license issued before September 1, 2021, will expire on November 29, 2021. Those with a temporary license must submit fingerprints and complete the application process before their temporary license expires to avoid a gap in licensure.
- Escrow checks and filings: Commissioner's Bulletin B-0011-20 is canceled and superseded by this bulletin. Two signatures are required on all escrow checks as required by the Title Manual.
TDI continues to encourage insurers to work with policyholders for issues relating to disruption and hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For questions about this bulletin:
- Agent and adjuster licensing, contact License@tdi.texas.gov.
- Financial requirements, contact FIN-GM@tdi.texas.gov.
- Fire industry, contact FMLicensing@tdi.texas.gov.
- Life, accident, and health prompt payment, contact MCQA@tdi.texas.gov.
- Property and casualty prompt payment, contact PropertyCasualty@tdi.texas.gov.
- Telehealth and telemedicine, contact LifeHealth@tdi.texas.gov.