COMMISSIONER'S CORNER

Q2 2025

Legislative Update and Brief Description

The complete text of recently passed legislation can be found at: https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025. All new laws have an effective date of July 1, 2025, unless otherwise indicated.

1. SEA No. 0064-Enrolled Act, Ch. 113- Insurance holding company regulations
   This bill amends the Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act. The bill requires certain insurers to:

   • File an annual group capital calculation and group capital ratio together with the annual registration filed with the Insurance Commissioner.

   • Certain insurers that are scoped into the NAIC liquidity stress test framework to file the results of that year’s liquidity stress test with their annual registration.

   • Provides for a definition for “group capital calculation instructions” and “ NAIC liquidity stress test framework” along with related definitions.

   • Provides that the group capital calculation and the liquidity stress test, along with their results, are confidential.

   • Specifies that the group capital calculation and the liquidity stress test, along with their results, may be used as regulatory tools, but shall not be used to rank insurers generally, and shall not be published or disseminated by any person.

2. SEA No. 0065-Enrolled Act, Ch. 114-Insurance Amendments
   This bill revises the Insurance Code by:

   • Amending the definition of “insurance transaction” to clarify that, except as specifically otherwise provided, the definition includes any transaction involving insurance.

   • Removes references to an “original” certificate of authority so that the insurance code will now require a certificate of authority.

   • Requires insurers and licensees to update their contact information within thirty (30) days of any change in contact information.

   • Requires the Insurance Commissioner to provide service of process by certified mail rather than by registered mail, when service of process is required.

   • Revises the scope of provisions governing property and casualty insurance to specify that they do not apply to binder and other temporary contracts for temporary insurance.

   •  Repeals the requirement for insurers to deliver certificates of authority to the Insurance Commissioner upon expiration, suspension or termination of the certificates.

   •  Repeals disclosure requirements regarding the extent to which disability, group disability and blanket disability insurance policies include comprehensive adult wellness benefits.

3. HEA No. 0012-Provider Enrollment-standards
   This bill requires health insurance carriers to:

   • Follow specific timelines regarding health care provider applications for credentialing.

   • Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse health care providers for services rendered under certain circumstances.

   • Requires the Department of Insurance to promulgate rules providing for a uniform credentialing application that shall be used by applicants and health insurance carriers.

Administrative Rules Update

Rules recently changed

1. Chapter 72 Prior Authorization

This rule was promulgated to implement the requirements of legislative changes during the 2023-2024 legislative session. During the 2023-2024 legislative session, HB0014/HEA0014 created a new section of the insurance code, W.S. § 26-55-101 et seq., which established requirements for prior authorizations between insurers and health providers for health care services. Chapter 72 was implemented to clarify the reporting requirements imposed by the new legislation, provided guidance to insurers regarding the format of information to be provided, and identified record retention requirements relative to prior authorizations.

2. Chapter 23 Regulation Governing Uninsured Motorist Endorsements

Changes were made to Chapter 23 to make it explicit that uninsured motorist coverages may not be used to reduce, nor may uninsured motorist coverages be reduced by, payments made under any other provision of the policy. The public comment period for Chapter 23 has closed, and no comments were received. Chapter 23 has been submitted for final review and approval by the Governor.

3. Chapter 35 Medicare Supplement Insurance

The proposed changes to Chapter 35 were promulgated to implement an annual open enrollment period for  Medicare Supplement plans on or about the policyholder’s birthday. The changes to Chapter 35 were promulgated to encourage a more competitive market regarding Medicare Supplement plans by allowing consumers to shop plans and change carriers without medical underwriting. Public comment for this rule closed on or about February 19, 2025. Multiple comments were received regarding the proposed changes, and the Department is currently in the process of reviewing those comments.

4. Chapter 26 Regulation Governing Adjustment of Damages to Dwelling Roofs Under Homeowners’ Policies.

(Update) The Department promulgated proposed changes to this regulation in 2023 which were intended to address apparent confusion regarding what constitutes obsolete roofing products. Changes were also made to clarify what constitutes an appropriate investigation when using photo adjustment programs. Multiple public comments were received regarding the proposed changes to Chapter 26. As a result of those proposed changes, the Department has further revised the regulation, and hopes to put it out for further public comment soon.

The Department is continuing the review and revision of its regulations to update them as necessary. The regulations being considered for revision by the Department during 2025 may include Chapter 45 Holding Company Systems, and Chapter 14 Cancellation and Nonrenewal of Automobile Liability Policies. Please continue to monitor the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Administrative Rules platform to ensure notification of when proposed changes to regulations are submitted.

Jeff Rude, Wyoming Insurance Commissioner