The law enables the Insurance Commissioner to immediately stop a company from operating in Pennsylvania before conducting an administrative hearing if the state has evidence the firm is unauthorized to do business here. Under the order, the Commissioner keeps jurisdiction to pursue other remedies. Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the Office of Consumer Services and Enforcement Helfried LeBlanc also cautioned the public. Customers contacted by Interstate Administrator Services Inc., National Employees Health and Welfare Fund, or National Employer Benefit Association should contact the Insurance Department. None of these companies are licensed to transact insurance business in Pennsylvania.
Consumers also can call to determine if a company is licensed to sell insurance in Pennsylvania.
MEWAs are subject to regulation by state insurance departments and the U.S. Department of Labor. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is recognized as a leader for its aggressive pursuit of unauthorized MEWAs over the past decade. During that time, the department's MEWA Task Force investigated approximately 125 potentially illegal entities and was able to terminate about 30 identified as operating illegally. It initiated and defended actions against MEWAs that set a precedent in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, the U.S. District Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The Insurance Department continues to work with the U.S. Department of Labor to provide criminal referrals and share investigatory materials.