Pennsylvania Pioneers Drug/Alcohol Rehabilitative Program For Agents

Pennsylvania recently became the first state in the nation to use a rehabilitative program for chemically dependent insurance agents and brokers called “Agents Helping Agents”.

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Diane Koken said that the new supervised program, which is modeled after existing programs for afflicted lawyers and physicians, will be implemented with the goal of earlier intervention and treatment for agents and brokers who have drug or alcohol addictions, or have shown a pattern of abuse. Since alcohol and drug dependencies have been cited as contributing factors to alleged violations of Pennsylvania’s insurance laws, the department believes that consumers will be better protected from the actions of afflicted agents and brokers.

The Insurance Department will have the authority to choose participants for the AHA program and to order rehabilitative measures for agents. During a probationary period, participants must meet certain requirements under the supervision of a sobriety monitor in order to continue to serve in their current positions. A violation of probationary terms may result in the suspension of an agent’s or broker’s license, or other legal action, including license revocation.

A nonprofit corporation, AHA was established in 1994.