CHAPTER 34. MULTIPLE EMPLOYER WELFARE ARRANGEMENTS
IC 27-1-34
Chapter 34. Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements
IC 27-1-34-1
"Multiple employer welfare arrangement" defined
Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "arrangement" refers to a
multiple employer welfare arrangement.
(b) As used in this chapter, "multiple employer welfare
arrangement" means an entity other than a duly admitted insurer that
establishes an employee benefit plan for the purpose of offering or
providing accident and sickness or death benefits to the employees
of at least two (2) employers, including self-employed individuals
and their dependents. For purposes of this subsection, two (2)
employers, one (1) of which holds an ownership interest of at least
fifty-one percent (51%) in the other, are considered to be one (1)
employer.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149. Amended by P.L.173-2007,
SEC.19.
IC 27-1-34-2
Certificate of registration
Sec. 2. (a) An arrangement must annually obtain a certificate of
registration from the department under rules adopted by the
commissioner.
(b) An arrangement that does not obtain a certificate of
registration described in subsection (a) or violates the requirements
of this chapter is subject to IC 27-4.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-3
Benefits under an employee benefit plan
Sec. 3. An arrangement may provide benefits under an employee
benefit plan in Indiana only through an employee benefit plan that
has been filed and approved by the department of insurance.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-4
Annual statement
Sec. 4. An arrangement shall file an annual statement on a form
prescribed by the commissioner.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-5
Application of insurance law
Sec. 5. Except as provided by this chapter and by IC 27-9, Indiana
insurance law does not apply to the operation of multiple employer
welfare arrangements.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-6
Examination of arrangements; revocation or suspension of
certificate of registration
Sec. 6. (a) It shall be the duty of the department to examine every
domestic multiple employer welfare arrangement at least every five
(5) years or as often as the department in its discretion may deem
necessary. The expense of the examination and or investigations of
such arrangements shall be paid by the arrangement so examined.
(b) The commissioner shall revoke or suspend:
(1) the certificate of registration to do business in Indiana of
any multiple employer welfare arrangement which refuses to
permit such examination described in subsection (a); and
(2) any certificate of registration when any condition prescribed
by law or regulation for the issuance or continuance of the
certificate no longer exists.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-7
Insolvency; notification of department
Sec. 7. If any domestic multiple employer welfare arrangement is
insolvent or in imminent danger of insolvency, or fails or suspends
operation between periods of examination authorized, it is a class A
misdemeanor for the highest officer then actively in charge of such
multiple employer welfare arrangement to knowingly fail to notify
the department immediately of such condition, failure, or suspension.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-8
Reinsurers and insurance producers; multiple employer welfare
arrangement
Sec. 8. (a) A reinsurer may not issue a policy of insurance to a
multiple employer welfare arrangement that does not have a
certificate of registration from the department.
(b) An insurance producer licensed by the department may not
solicit, offer, or provide coverage through a multiple employer
welfare arrangement that does not have a certificate of registration
from the department.
(c) A reinsurer or insurance producer who knows or reasonably
should have known that the arrangement does not have a current
certificate of registration is liable for any claims for benefits that are
due and unpaid.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149. Amended by P.L.178-2003,
SEC.30.
IC 27-1-34-9
Rules
Sec. 9. The department of insurance shall adopt rules under
IC 4-22-2 necessary to implement this chapter, including but not
limited to:
(1) certificate of registration requirements;
(2) reinsurance requirements;
(3) reserve levels;
(4) deposits;
(5) financial reporting;
(6) fidelity bonds; and
(7) the operations;
of multiple employer welfare arrangements.
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.
IC 27-1-34-10
Exemptions
Sec. 10. This chapter does not apply to a multiple employer
welfare arrangement which offers or provides benefits which are
fully insured by an authorized insurer or to an arrangement which is
exempt under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
As added by P.L.1-1992, SEC.149.