ARK. SUSPENDS AGENTS FOR MEWAS

Insurance Commissioner Mike Pickens of Arkansas said five insurance agents have had their licenses suspended for enrolling Arkansans in a health plan not authorized in his state. The unauthorized plan has left Arkansas consumers with more than a quarter million dollars in unpaid medical claims. TRG Marketing LLC, the company offering the illegal health plan sold by the agents, last year was ordered by the State Insurance Commissioner to cease and desist selling the plan in the State of Arkansas. The plan, an unauthorized multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA), had claimed its health plan was a single employer plan set pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and was thereby exempt from state regulation. That assertion was determined to be untrue, according to the final cease and desist order issued to TRG. The Arkansas agents whose license have been suspended include Helen Marie Markovich; John Anthony Markovich; and Cassondra Ann Kimble, all of Pocahontas; Stephen Matthew Avery of Siloam Springs; and Billy Dean Mullins who listed with the Arkansas Insurance Department addresses in both Vilonia and Conway. The insurance department is seeking to revoke the agents’ license, according to the suspension orders.