Md. Code Regs. 31.10.06.15

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 31.10.06.15 - Standards for Marketing

A. An issuer, directly or through its producers, shall:

(1) Establish marketing procedures to assure that any comparison of policies by its agents or other producers will be fair and accurate;

(2) Establish marketing procedures to assure that excessive insurance is not sold or issued;

(3) Display prominently by type, stamp, or other appropriate means on the first page of the policy the following: "Notice to buyer: This policy may not cover all of your medical expenses.";

(4) Inquire and otherwise make every reasonable effort to identify whether a prospective applicant or enrollee for Medicare supplement insurance already has health insurance and the types and amounts of any insurance;

(5) Establish auditable procedures for verifying compliance with this section.

B. In addition to the practices prohibited in Insurance Article, Title 27, Annotated Code of Maryland, the following acts and practices are prohibited:

(1) Twisting: Knowingly making any misleading representation or incomplete or fraudulent comparison of any insurance policies or insurers for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, any person to lapse, forfeit, surrender, terminate, retain, pledge, assign, borrow on, or convert any insurance policy or to take out a policy of insurance with another insurer;

(2) High pressure tactics: Employing any method of marketing having the effect of or tending to induce the purchase of insurance through force, fright, threat, whether explicit or implied, or undue pressure to purchase or recommend the purchase of insurance;

(3) Cold lead advertising: Making use directly or indirectly of any method of marketing which fails to disclose in a conspicuous manner that a purpose of the method of marketing is solicitation of insurance and that contact will be made by an insurance agent or insurance company.

C. The terms "Medicare Supplement", "Medigap", "Medicare Wrap-Around", and words of similar import may not be used unless the policy is issued in compliance with these regulations.

Md. Code Regs. 31.10.06.15

Regulations .15 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 14, 1992 (19:16 Md. R. 1466); adopted permanently effective August 3, 1992 (19:15 Md. R. 1389)