FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 19, 2022
Time Requested: 09:18 AM
Agency: Insurance Commission
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2034 Introduced SB418
CBD Subject: Insurance


FUND(S):

7152 Insurance Commission Fund

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


Senate Bill 418, if enacted, would remove the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) exemption from the provisions of §33-46-18 and §5-16-22. The removal of the exemption would make PEIA subject to provisions of the insurance code. The Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) estimates that assuming the regulation of PEIA would create an additional $794,286 in expenses for the OIC.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2022
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 794,286 794,286 794,286
Personal Services 294,286 294,286 294,286
Current Expenses 500,000 500,000 500,000
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


The enactment of SB418 would remove the exemption of PEIA from insurance regulation. The OIC estimates that 4 additional FTEs and contracted examination and actuarial services would be needed at the OIC due to the enactment of SB 418. Position Salary Benefits & Office Overhead Total Cost MC Examiner $54,665 $20,772 $75,437 Attorney II $68,586 $26,062 $94,648 Complaint Sp. $45,000 $17,100 $62,100 Complaint Sp. $45,000 $17,100 $62,100 Total salaries, benefits and overhead $294,286 Contractual and Professional Services related to insurance regulation $500,000 Estimated Costs to OIC for implementation of SB418 $794,286



Memorandum


The Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) estimates that the enactment of Senate Bill 418 would increase the operating expenses of the OIC by approximately $794,286 annually. OIC data shows that in 2021 there were 278,162 people covered by commercial health insurance in WV and 239,540 active PEIA insured lives, so the OIC would need to add an additional 4 full time employees and increase the contracted professional services in order to provide insurance regulation to PEIA and customer service to their insured.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Melinda Kiss
    Email Address: Melinda.A.Kiss@wv.gov