Atkins Appointed Kentucky Insurance Commish

Nancy G. Atkins has been appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Insurance (KYDOI), in the wake of Brian Maynard’s decision in April to vacate the post.

Maynard stepped down as commissioner of KYDOI effective April 30, to return to the private sector.

He was appointed by then newly-elected Gov. Matt Bevin in January of 2016.

Atkins is a 33-year veteran of the insurance industry, working as both a licensed agent and employee benefit manager. She previously served as the deputy commissioner for KYDOI, an appointment she held since February.

Prior to joining DOI, she served as the director of sales and marketing for Bluegrass Family Health Inc., where she managed a large team of agents and account representatives while working closely with DOI to ensure regulatory compliance.

Atkins also worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kentucky and Advantage Care Inc., focusing largely on employee benefit plan management for small and large corporations throughout the state. She is a licensed nurse and former hospital administration professional and understands the complexities that exist for healthcare providers in today’s insurance marketplace.

“I am honored to lead the department during this critical time for Kentucky’s insurance market,” said Atkins. “Obamacare has left us with a broken system, but there is a desire for change. We look forward to harnessing that desire for the benefit of all Kentuckians.”

Atkins will work closely with Patrick O’Connor, the newly named deputy commissioner of Policy for KYDOI. O’Connor will continue to serve as an executive legal advisor for KYDOI and assist the department with high-priority legal, policy, and legislative initiatives, including cutting red tape in the state insurance code as part of Governor Matt Bevin’s Red Tape Reduction Initiative.

As an attorney with the Insurance Regulation Service Team at Frost Brown Todd LLC, O’Connor assisted national and international insurance companies with regulatory compliance needs.

In this position, he also assisted in drafting model law recommendations to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and provided guidance to other organizations regarding state and federal insurance regulatory changes.

The Kentucky Department of Insurance regulates the Commonwealth’s insurance market, licenses agents and other insurance professionals, monitors the financial condition of companies, educates consumers, and ensures Kentuckians are treated fairly in the marketplace.