WSR 07-09-100

EXPEDITED RULES

OFFICE OF

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

[ Insurance Commissioner Matter No. R 2007-04 -- Filed April 18, 2007, 10:53 a.m. ]

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Technical amendments to WAC 284-07-050 Financial statement filing instructions.

NOTICE

     THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Kacy Scott, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, P.O. Box 40260, Olympia, WA 98504-0260, fax (360) 586-3109, e-mail KacyS@oic.wa.gov , AND RECEIVED BY June 19, 2007.


     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: These proposed amendments amend WAC 284-07-050 to clarify quarterly financial statement filing dates. Several outdated references are also removed.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: These proposed amendments further the insurance commissioner's commitment to update TITLE 284 WAC to improve its clarity and efficiency.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 48.02.060, 48.44.050, and 48.46.200.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 48.05.073, 48.05.250, and 48.43.097.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Mike Kreidler, insurance commissioner, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Dennis Julnes, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, (360) 725-7209; Implementation: Jim Odiorne, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, (360) 725-7214; and Enforcement: Carol Sureau, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, (360) 725-7050.

April 18, 2007

Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner

OTS-9700.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Matter No. R 2002-07, filed 10/23/02, effective 11/23/02)

WAC 284-07-050   Financial statement instructions.   (1) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

     (a) "Insurer" shall have the same meaning as set forth in RCW 48.01.050. It also includes health care service contractors registered under chapter 48.44 RCW and health maintenance organizations registered under chapter 48.46 RCW, and fraternal benefit societies registered under chapter 48.36A RCW.

     (b) "Insurance" shall have the same meaning as set forth in RCW 48.01.040. It also includes prepayment of health care services as set forth in RCW 48.44.010(3) and prepayment of comprehensive health care services as set forth in RCW 48.46.020(1).

     (2) Each authorized insurer is required to file with the commissioner an annual statement for the previous calendar year in the general form and context as promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for the kinds of insurance to be reported upon, and shall also file a copy thereof with the NAIC. To effectuate RCW 48.05.250, 48.05.400, 48.36A.260, 48.44.095 and 48.46.080 and to enhance consistency in the accounting treatment accorded various kinds of insurance transactions, the valuation of assets, and related matters, insurers shall adhere to the appropriate Annual Statement Instructions and the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manuals promulgated by the NAIC.

     (3) This section does not relieve an insurer from its obligation to comply with specific requirements of the insurance code or rules ((thereunder)).

     (4) Annual statements:

     (a) ((Until December 31, 2002, for domestic insurers, the statements are to be filed in triplicate to assist with public viewing and copying. Two statements must be permanently bound on the left side. The third statement must be unbound. The statements are to be filed in the Olympia office.

     (b) Until December 31, 2002, for foreign insurers, except for health care service contractors and health maintenance organizations, one statement shall be filed in the Olympia office. For health care service contractors and health maintenance organizations, two left side permanently bound and one unbound statement shall be filed in the Olympia office to assist with public viewing and copying.

     (c) After December 31, 2002,)) Annual statements for all domestic ((and foreign)) insurers must be filed electronically with the commissioner. ((This includes the annual statement for the year ended December 31, 2002.)) Insurers must electronically transmit the annual statement, as described in subsection (2) of this section, in PDF or other format as noted on the commissioner's web site. The commissioner has the discretion to allow an insurer to file annual statements on paper. The insurer must demonstrate that filing in electronic form will create an undue financial hardship for the insurer. Applications for permission to file on paper must be received by the commissioner at least ninety days before the annual statement is due.

     (((d))) (b) To comply with statutory requirements that annual statements must be verified by the oaths of at least two of the insurer's officers, insurers may:

     (i) Use a method of electronic signature verification that has been approved by the commissioner for use by the insurer; or

     (ii) File a paper copy of the signature and jurat page of the annual statement at the time of the electronic filing of the annual statement. This paper copy must contain the original signature of the company officers and the notary administering the oath. ((A foreign insurer may use facsimile signatures or reproductions of original signatures for its paper copy.

     (e))) (c) Both the electronic annual statement and the verification of that statement by the oaths of two officers must be received by the commissioner to complete an annual statement filing. The date of receipt of the later of the electronic annual statement or verification is considered the receipt date of the annual statement.

     (5)(a) Each domestic insurer shall file quarterly statements of its financial condition with the commissioner and with the NAIC. Each foreign insurer shall file quarterly statements of its financial condition with the NAIC. The commissioner may require a foreign insurer to file quarterly statements with the commissioner whenever, in the commissioner's discretion, there is a need to more closely monitor the financial activities of the foreign insurer. The statements shall be filed in the commissioner's office not later than the forty-fifth day or the fifteenth day of the second month after the end of the insurer's calendar quarters, whichever is later. The quarterly statements shall be in the form and content as promulgated by the NAIC for quarterly reporting by insurers, shall be prepared according to appropriate Annual and Quarterly Statement Instructions and the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manuals promulgated by the NAIC and shall be supplemented with additional information required by this title and by the commissioner. ((The statement is to be completed and filed in the same manner and places as the annual statement.)) Quarterly statements for the fourth quarter are not required.

     (b) Quarterly statements((, beginning with the statement for the quarter ended March 31, 2003,)) must be filed with the commissioner by electronically transmitting the quarterly statement as described in this subsection, in PDF or other format as noted on the commissioner's web site.

     (6) As a part of any investigation by the commissioner, the commissioner may require an insurer to file monthly financial statements whenever, in the commissioner's discretion, there is a need to more closely monitor the financial activities of the insurer. Monthly financial statements shall be filed in the commissioner's office no later than the twenty-fifth day of the month following the month for which the financial statement is being filed. Such monthly financial statements shall be the internal financial statements of the company. In addition, the commissioner may require these internal financial statements to be accompanied by a schedule converting the financial statements to reflect financial position according to statutory accounting practices and submitted in a form using the same format and designation as the insurer's quarterly financial statements of insurers. "Financial statements" as used in this subsection includes:

     (a) Statement of assets;

     (b) Liabilities, capital and surplus;

     (c) Statements of revenue and expenses; and

     (d) Statements of cash flows.

     (7) Health care service contractors shall use the Health Statement Form promulgated by the NAIC for their statutory filings.

     (8) Each health care service contractor's and health maintenance organization's annual statement shall be accompanied by an additional data statement form (IC-13A-HC/IC-14-HMO).

     (9) The commissioner may allow a reasonable extension of the time for filing the financial statements. A request for an extension must be in writing. The request must be received prior to the due date of the filing and must state good cause for the extension. An extension can only be granted in writing; paper, fax, or e-mail is considered "writing" for purposes of this subsection.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060, 48.44.050, and 48.46.200. 02-21-120 (Matter No. R 2002-07), § 284-07-050, filed 10/23/02, effective 11/23/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060, 48.05.073, 48.44.050, 48.46.200. 01-11-077 (Matter No. R 2000-09), § 284-07-050, filed 5/15/01, effective 6/15/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060, 48.44.050 and 48.46.200. 99-16-035 (Matter No. R - 99-3), § 284-07-050, filed 7/28/99, effective 8/28/99; 96-17-079 (Matter No. R 95-18), § 284-07-050, filed 8/21/96, effective 9/21/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060. 92-19-040 (Order R 92-10), § 284-07-050, filed 9/9/92, effective 10/10/92.]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office