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Texas Department of Insurance
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Commissioner’s Bulletin # B-0023-07

May 22, 2007


To:   All insurers and health maintenance organizations doing business in the State of Texas

Re:   Consumer notice of toll-free telephone numbers and procedures for obtaining information and filing complaints


By Commissioner's Order No. 06-1327, dated January 2, 2007, the Commissioner of Insurance adopted amendments to 28 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §1.601, concerning the notice of toll-free telephone numbers and procedures for obtaining information and filing complaints that insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMO) are required to provide to consumers with each insurance policy, certificate, or evidence of coverage issued or renewed in the State of Texas. The adopted amendments are effective on July 1, 2007. This bulletin notifies insurers and HMOs of these amendments and addresses inquiries regarding these amendments.

The adopted amendments require that the §1.601 notice to consumers include the internet and e-mail addresses of the Texas Department of Insurance (Department). In addition, the adopted amendments require minor formatting changes to the notice template, update statutory citations, and delete obsolete language. Existing notices printed according to the requirements in current §1.601 may be used through June 30, 2007. The new notice must be included with each insurance policy, certificate, or evidence of coverage issued, renewed, or issued for delivery on or after July 1, 2007. New notices can be produced in the regular course of business for use on or before July 1, 2007. As described in §1.601(a), the Department continues to require the notice to be delivered as the first, second, or third page of the policy, certificate, or evidence of coverage. Also as provided in §1.601(b), the Department continues to require the notice to be delivered in both English and Spanish. An amended notice template containing both English and Spanish text is included in amended §1.601(a)(3). This notice is available online at

http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/texasregister/html/2007/jan-19/tables-and-graphics/200700001-1.pdf.

A copy of the adoption order for the amended §1.601 rules is available online at http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/texasregister/html/2007/jan-19/adopted/28.INSURANCE.html.

For questions regarding the amendments to 28 TAC §1.601, please contact the Life/Health Division at 512-322-3401 or via email at LifeHealth@tdi.state.tx.us; the Property and Casualty Program at 512-322-2266 or via email at AutoHome@tdi.state.tx.us; or the HWCN Division at 512-322-4266 or via email at HMOGrp@tdi.state.tx.us.

Audrey Selden

Senior Associate Commissioner

Consumer Protection Division



Questions? Call us at 800-252-3439.