May 2012 spotlight

MIZZOU
M
20 AY

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12

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OFFICIALLY LICENSED PRODUCTS FROM
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Greetings from Director Huff Director Huff educates Joplin TV
viewers, radio listeners
W
ith summer that has happened, but they've also found
approach-
employees have enthusiastically embraced
ing, we're
the programs. And that's the case here. We
about to begin our
get questions from our teams about twice
second season of
a week asking when the wellness walks
wellness activities.
will start up again. They say "they're fun,
These will include
they're good for us and we like the points
several of our popular
for our Lifestyle Ladder progress." Also,
wellness walks. I welcome the opportunity
you’ll see a great compliment from a state
to get some fresh air and enjoy a few
employee on page 7.
minutes of your company outside the
office. As you saw in emails last week, we have a
2012 version of our wellness walk T-shirts.
In addition, your DIFP wellness committee
Hopefully you've placed your order and

D
will be meeting soon to plan the irector Huff made appearances on three TV stations and a
turned in your money by now, ready for
calendar for the coming year. The team radio talk show in mid-April to encourage consumers to update their
another season of walks.
is considering a number of activities and insurance coverage ahead of severe weather season. As you read in the
experts who can visit our department One more note as summer approaches: We March Spotlight, DIFP recently launched an extensive awareness campaign in
to provide medical services, fitness often relax a bit in the way we dress. But Joplin to educate consumers on
assessments and other consultation. I want to compliment you and thank you insurance lessons learned from
As you'll recall from our discussions last for not getting carried away in that regard. last year’s tornado. Links to the
year, DIFP's efforts are part of the larger I appreciate that we are able to maintain a director’s TV interviews:
statewide wellness program that was professional appearance, which is a must KSN-TV
launched in spring of 2011 by Missouri in our offices. KODE-TV
Consolidated Health Care Plan.
As always, you have my gratitude for your
Above: Director Huff talks with
Successful organizations across the hard work and all you do for Missouri and morning host Alan Matthews of
country began wellness programs in the its citizens. KODE-TV.
past two years in the hope that a healthier
Right: Director Huff talks with
workforce would translate to cost savings
morning host Chad Elliot of KZRG
with their health insurance plans. Indeed
radio, a news-talk station.

In Letter from Director Huff. New team members, responsibilities, Are you Storm Aware? Credit Union Commission meets here. Show me your stripes. Outreach efforts.
the Director Huff educates
retirees, professional designations.
St. Louis Fire Department Weaver featured in bankers newsletter. DIFP hosts insurance regulators group. Ask the HR
Spotlight Joplin on insurance Employee milestones. receives grant.
International regulators here to learn Expert.
protection. Palmer addresses autism providers.
Success in Consumer Affairs. Thumbs Up. the Missouri way.

New team members New responsibilities Retired

Bob Beck Cierra Bond Kelly Bowers Mark Griggs Andy Heitmann Pete Fleischman Shawn Hernandez
Insurance SOSA keyboarding Processing tech I Financial analyst/ Counsel Investigator Financial analyst III
financial analyst, Taxation, Pharmacy, PR examiner Consumer Affairs, CIU, PR Insurance
Embalmers, PR Insurance Company Regulation, Insurance
Insurance

Jennifer Brendel Tammy Kearns Randy McDowell
Office support Legal counsel Investigator II
assistant Administration, CIU, PR Rhonda Lindsay Tougaw
Nursing, PR Insurance Robinette-Fogle Tax auditor II
Processing tech Insurance
supervisor
Dental, PR
Jennifer Danz, financial examiner III,
Insurance Company Regulation,
received her accredited financial
examiner designation
Jennifer Danz
AFE
Shannon Mills Allison Scharf Kim Sullens
Paralegal Assistant trust Consumer services
Healing Arts, examiner specialist I
PR Finance Consumer Affairs,
Insurance


March/April 2012 employee milestones

20 years 15 years 10 years

Kevin Bramlett Debbie Davis Vanessa Robert Jordan Linda Stephens Willard Ward Lisa Wildhaber
Consumer Credit Administration, Beauchamp Financial Cosmetology Healing Arts Embalmers
Finance Credit Unions Tattoo/Real Estate Examinations & Barber PR PR
Appraisers/ Insurance PR
Respiratory Therapy/
Occupational
Therapy
PR

5 years

Diana Coonce Pamela Ives Hill Dale Hobart George McConnell Marc Peterson Shelly Smith Valerie Stark
Nursing Accountancy Market Conduct Pharmacy Captive Program Cosmetology Veterinary/Hearing
PR PR Insurance PR Insurance PR Instrument Specialists
PR


Success in Consumer Affairs

Stephenson helps Family receives nearly $15K Consumer gets the Thomas helps injured
consumer stave off with Stephenson’s help right coverage with scuba diver twice
foreclosure A Carter County family filed a complaint Liston's help A Virginia Beach woman was
with the department when their son’s life seriously injured while scuba
A Springfield A St. James
insurance company failed to pay the benefit diving on vacation. The diving
man was man, who
upon their son’s death. The company notified insurance she purchased from
having trouble wanted to
the family that a payment would not be made a company based in Missouri
with his long- enroll in a
because their son hadn’t elected conversion covered treatment for any
term disability Medigap
coverage on his life insurance after an illness diving related accidents for up
insurance plan when
forced him to leave his job. Shelly worked to 52 weeks after the incident.
company he became
with the company and got it to allow the But it failed to disclose
when he eligible for
family to apply for the conversion policy the time period with the woman, who sought
wrote a letter Medicare,
and make a death claim. After deducting for additional treatment beyond the 52-week period.
to Governor Nixon asking for was misled and ended up
premiums, the family received nearly $15,000. When the company began declining claims and
assistance because his family joining a Medicare Advantage stopped payment, Jeana became involved and got
could lose their home. The Plan, even though a plan the company to reconsider the claims and extend
governor’s office reached out to wasn’t available in his area.
the department, and Shelly took
$15,000 The Central Missouri Area
payment. Later, the company stopped processing
the claims for a second time, leaving the woman to
over the case. The company was Agency on Aging and Medicare ask for further assistance from Jeana. The company
requesting the man, who bought Gross gets results contacted the department and has since rectified the woman’s outstanding bills
a policy through his work before asked for assistance in helping
becoming disabled, repay nearly
for Saline County family the man enroll in a Medigap
and issued an additional payment of $18,500.
$12,000 after it miscalculated A Saline County family plan. Amy pointed out a
his benefit. On top of that, the had extensive fire misrepresentation in the man’s $18,500
company said if he didn’t repay damage to their home Medicare Advantage Plan,
the money, it would suspend over the holidays. After which allowed him to cancel
his benefits for the next year. 10 weeks of delays from the plan. After Amy obtained
Thomas educates company
Shelly went back and forth with its insurance company, proof of his guaranteed issue for Joplin teacher
the company, and got the issue the family finally filed rights, the man was then able
resolved. The company waived A Joplin teacher was having difficulty getting his
a complaint with the to enroll into a Medigap plan
the man’s overpayment of nearly insurance company to pay for additional damage
department. Once Kim without any lapse in coverage.
$11,000. found while rebuilding his home. Jeana got the
became involved, the company paid $230,419
company to issue a check for more than $28,000 to
to the family to rebuild their home.
cover the newly discovered damage.
$11,000
$230,419 $28,000


Success in Consumer Affairs
Thomas sees the job through Woman gets nearly
A Joplin woman, who got department help $9K with Life Policy Are you Storm Aware?
after the Joplin tornado, requested additional
assistance due to concerns she had with her
Locator
insurance company not paying her contractor’s A St. Louis woman believed
entire bill. After Jeana pointed out some she was a beneficiary on a life
inconsistent information in the handling of insurance policy taken out by
the claim, the company decided to pay the one of her grandparents. She
remainder of it. Since the department became completed the forms for the Life
involved, the woman has received an additional Policy Locator and a match was
$46,215. made. She received a check for
$8,942.
$46,215
$8,942
Backer rights a wrong,
recovers nearly $9K Life Policy Locator
A Benton County woman
successful for
filed a complaint due to an Dunklin County man
improper sale of a long-
term care policy. An agent A Dunklin County man got a
told the woman’s husband big recovery when he utilized
he couldn’t buy a policy the department’s Life Policy
because of his disabilities. Locator. Once the proper forms
The wife purchased a policy, and documents were submitted
but the agent included her to the department, the New state website helps you prepare for severe storm season
husband on it. Both assumed they were covered, information was sent along to

C
but when the husband needed care, his claim the state’s licensed life insurance heck out the State Emergency Management Agency’s new
was denied. The woman filed a complaint, saying companies participating in the website launched in March. It includes detailed videos on how to take
if her husband wasn’t covered, she shouldn’t program. A match was made shelter in different types of buildings, important information about
have been paying premiums for him. After and the man received a check for tornado sirens and weather alert radios, and links to severe weather texting
Sheila’s involvement, the insurance company $50,137. services that can alert you to upcoming severe weather in your area.
voided the husband’s coverage and issued
$8,801. $50,137 stormaware.mo.gov
$8,801


Director Huff joins St. Louis Fire
Department for check presentation
Helps purchase life-saving equipment for firefighters

Above: A St. Louis firefighter
Director Huff joins as St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson accepts the contribution. demonstrates an escape with the EZ
Scape Integrated Self Rescue Belt.

F
ireman’s Fund Insurance Co. and Parcel Insurance Plan in March Left: Chief Jenkerson demonstrates
made a $36,949 donation to the St. Louis Fire Department. The grant equipment for Director Huff.
will fund state-of-the-art escape kits that allow firefighters to safely exit
upper floors of a burning building through a window. The check brings the
total amount donated by Fireman’s Fund to Missouri fire departments to $1
million.

Whitney Curtis photo


up
thumbs
Professional engineer commends
board's efficiency
accomplishments from DIFP staff

DIFP

well ne
Workplace wellness: w ss
lk 2012

shaping up to be a hit

T
HE NEW WORKPLACE WELLNESS program
has been in place for Missouri state
employees for almost a year now, and they
are responding. The director of wellness programs

J
at Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan recently UDY KEMPKER, executive director of the Board of Architects, Professional
received this positive feedback: Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, received
this letter in March from a licensee:

"As a professional engineer in several states, I was pleasantly surprised a while
“I want to highly commend the Wellness initiative, with Wellness back when APELSLA sent me a letter reducing my annual licensing fee due to a
Ambassadors and messages. It is the most effective approach the more efficient process. Typically, 'government agencies' and 'efficiency' are not
state has provided to me in the past 20 years prompting me to diet in the same paragraph, nor the same book for that matter.
better and exercise more. This extends to my coworkers as well
who participate more in wellness activities than in the past. Please At about the same time, the Tennessee board added a $400 'Privilege Tax' for
continue the good work as I look forward to our next office wellness all professionals. Many engineers put their licenses on 'not active' status to be
activity and wellness tips.” excluded from the tax. So, the state increased the engineering licensing fee to
make up the shortcomings. I was so angry, I sent the Governor of Tennessee
a copy of the letter from Missouri! It now costs me $470 ($400 Privilege tax
Your DIFP wellness committee wants your feedback, too. As always, please send + $70 Licensing fee) per year to maintain a license in Tennessee whereas in
any comments or suggestions to DIFP wellness ambassador Travis Ford. Missouri it is $35 for two years.

I am very proud to be a Missourian!"


Thumbs up

"One of the best insurance Market conduct's Herzing awarded
departments" by national regulators group

T
he Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society has

D
ifp received a compliment from Maiden Re (a reinsurance awarded market conduct examiner II Shelly Herzing its
company) wanting to let us know how professional our Rookie of the Year Scholarship for 2012.
examiners are, that they worked extremely hard when they
were there and did an excellent job of explaining to her what information The scholarship is awarded to four state regulators – with less
they needed and why. She said that she had heard terrible things about than two years of service – who have demonstrated exceptional
the Risk-focused exam but that she found it to be painless and gave our promise, professionalism and a commitment to continual
department credit for it being that way. improvement. This $1,000 scholarship may be applied toward
IRES-sponsored courses and seminars and travel expenses in
The woman also went on to say that we are the best insurance 2012.
department that she works with and that analyst/examiner Mark Griggs is
very patient. She also plans to pass on how wonderful the department is Shelly Herzing
to Director Huff at the next IRES meeting.

Crutchfield recovers money

A
consumer complained she bought a long-term care policy but was unable
to use the policy because the company refused to honor her claim that
she needed home health assistance. The woman said if she wasn't eligible
for benefits, she shouldn't have been paying premiums for all those years. With
investigator II Karen Crutchfield's involvement, the company agreed and refunded
$1,063 for premiums paid. The woman sent Karen a thank-you note.

Karen Crutchfield


Thumbs up

Nelson receives alumnus award Lueckenhoff inducted into St. Louis
from William Woods boxing hall of fame

O
ffice of
Athletics

I
nsurance Market Executive
Regulation Division
Director Tim
Director Angela Nelson
Lueckenhoff in April was
received a Graduate College
inducted into the St. Louis
Award from William Woods
Gateway Classic Sports
University, during the school’s
Foundation Boxing Hall
National Alumni Weekend.
of Fame. The foundation
The award is given to a said honorees show a
graduate college alumnus commitment to making “a
who has made exemplary positive impact inside and
contributions to his or her outside of the boxing ring.”
profession. The award noted Tim was recognized for
Angela’s work on behalf of his leadership in developing national boxing officials training seminars. The
consumers in the state (during foundation also said Tim was directly involved in transitioning the national
her time as Consumer Affairs Association of Boxing Commissions (where he serves as president) from a
Division director), her work on strictly boxing regulatory organization to a combative sports association, which
the Joplin recovery efforts and now encompasses the
work on implementation of the regulation of mixed
autism insurance mandate. martial arts.
She was nominated by teams
at the divisions of Consumer Above: Tim and Joy
Turner, a part-time
Affairs and Market Regulation.
The award is given to a graduate college inspector with the Office
of Athletics since 1993,
alumnus who has made exemplary who was also inducted.
contributions to his or her profession. Left: Angela and Dr. Michael
Westerfield, vice president and Right: Tim and Joy pose
dean of the Graduate College. with their 10 fellow
inductees.


May 2012 spotlight

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