Goodwin Orders 9.6 % Cuts in Workers Comp Insurance Rates, Implements Public Comment Period

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced that he has settled the workers compensation rate filings from the North Carolina Rate Bureau, the organization that represents the state's workers compensation insurance companies. The settlement ordered a 9.6 percent decrease to the voluntary market loss costs and no change (zero percent) to the assigned risk markets. The changes are effective April 1, 2010.

"I'm also proud that we were able to implement a public comment period for this filing, and I look forward to continuing this practice for future rate filings that the Department handles," said Commissioner Goodwin.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin's order "is expected to generate more than $119 million in annual savings for the state's employers."

The 9.6 percent decrease, which takes effect in April, follows a 4.4 percent decline this year.The full filings and settlements are available for public review on the Department's Web site. Visit by clicking on this link and search for Serff Tracking numbers NCPC-126289369 and NCPC-126289290.

Goodwin's news complements his earlier feat this year of a significant automobile insurance rate cut that involved a rollback of and freezing of the rates - which saved drivers $450 million - and additional refunds of $50 million.

"I am very pleased with the work of my excellent expert staff, who join me in our ongoing efforts to protect consumers - families and small business owners, in particular - during these challenging economic times," said Goodwin.

Creative Loafing Columnist Compliments Commissioner

John Grooms of the popular Creative Loafing publication in Charlotte surprised me recently. His very kind column, linked here, appeared from out of nowhere, and is the type of pleasant surprise for persons in public service that makes up for many of those days when the burdens of one's job seem extra heavy.
The text appears below:

Amazing – public servant actually serving public
September 28th, 2009 by John Grooms in Boomer with an Attitude

"Many of us have grown so cynical about politics, it’s often just assumed that once politicians get into office, they forget their promises and start figuring out ways to cash in. Which makes news of an elected official doing his/her job — actually being conscientious! — a pleasant surprise. The BlueNC Web site reports on actions by NC Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin to fight insurance fraud. Not just penny-ante cases, either. Last Tuesday, they arrested the CEO of Pace Airlines for skipping out on his employees’ health insurance plan; and on the same day, they busted Mark Hall, the owner of Market Street Advisors of Smithfield for ripping off $168,000 in life insurance annuities from a 90-year-old woman in Garner. So far this year, Goodwin’s department has successfully prosecuted 67 criminal cases, with over $9.7 million in restitutions and recoveries.

“Oh, that’s it?” you ask. Yep, that’s it, but consider that 10 percent of your insurance premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. Goodwin and his beefed-up crew of investigators are, amazing as it may seem, doing good work for the public good, and they deserve to get credit."

Thank you, Mr. Grooms! The Department of Insurance and I will continue to do our best for North Carolinians from Manteo to Morrisville to Matthews to Murphy.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Launches Effort to Help 80,000 Citizens Obtain Reduced Prescription Drug Costs

Today I had the honor and privilege to join Senior Tar Heel Legislators from across North Carolina and representatives of our 800 volunteers in the SHIIP program in our kick-off to obtain reduced prescription drug costs for 80,000 senior citizens.

Learn more here at this link.

Here is an excerpt:

RALEIGH -- More than 100 seniors pounded the pavement today at a relay event in Raleigh to kickoff a statewide enrollment campaign for Medicare's "Extra Help" low-income subsidy and Medicare Savings Programs that help eligible Medicare recipients pay for their prescription drug coverage and medicines and other Medicare medical coverage.

The campaign called "Relay for Extra Help" encourages Medicare recipients to help each other by relaying the message to their local communities that financial assistance is available - even for those who might not typically receive federal assistance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has identified that North Carolina has more than 80,000 Medicare recipients who potentially qualify for the cost-saving programs, but have not enrolled.

The N.C. Senior Tar Heel Legislators attended a relay event in Raleigh where they agreed to relay the message back to all 100 counties. The Relay for Extra Help campaign's goal is to find and enroll eligible Medicare recipients in either the federal Low-Income Subsidy program that helps pay for Medicare prescription drug coverage and medicines or the Medicare Savings Program that helps pay for Medicare Part A and B premiums.

In remarks to the rally, I exclaimed:

"It's great to have so many seniors here today who are committed to taking the Extra Help message back to their communities," said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. "North Carolina has more than 80,000 people on Medicare who could be receiving Medicare's Low-Income Subsidy benefits, but have not yet signed up. Our goal is to relay this message to every town in the state, find these folks and get them enrolled so that they can start receiving help paying for their Medicare prescription drug premiums and medicines."

Here is a very short video from today's event, courtesy of Channel 17 in Raleigh. Partners with your Department of Insurance on this endeavor are the NC Department of Health and Human Services and others.

This Relay for Extra Help is a great opportunity for many families. To find out whether you or a loved one is eligible, then please call toll-free 800-443-9354 or visit www.ncshiip.com.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Fights Fraud, Takes Big Bite Out of Crime

Your state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin and his highly-trained, experts at the Department of Insurance have given ample examples of their dedication to stamping out insurance fraud this week.

Just in the last week alone there have been this, this, this, this, and this.

The two most high profile of these have involved the CEO of Pace Airlines and the head of a business accused of swindling a 90-year old woman out of $168,000 and others out of more than $2.5 millions of dollars in savings.

"I'm proud of the quick and thorough work of my investigators in this case," said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. "The money lost represents the hard work and savings of these honest people; we are doing everything we can to bring justice for them."

The Department of Insurance, through its Criminal Investigations Division, employs 20 sworn law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating claims of insurance fraud. So far in 2009, these criminal investigators have seen more than 241 cases successfully closed with more than $9.7 million in restitution and recoveries, 67 criminal convictions and 123 arrests and 92 cases pending in court.

An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Investigations Division at (919) 807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at the NC-DOI Web site.

And, to learn of ongoing law enforcement activity by the Department and Commissioner Goodwin, then please subscribe to the following Facebook page here or the RSS feed here.

Insurance Commissioner Goodwin Kicks Off Child Passenger Safety Week

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, who also is State Fire Marshal and Chairman of the Safe Kids North Carolina organization, helped kick off National Child Passenger Safety Week on Saturday, September 12, in Greensboro. Watch news coverage from TimeWarner NewsChannel 14 here.

Also, read here from Goodwin's press release about why this issue matters and what parents can do to protect their children in car seats.

Western NC Supporters of Insurance Commissioner Goodwin To Hold Asheville Fundraiser, October 2

Western North Carolina supporters of Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin will join him at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville on Friday, October 2.

The fundraiser begins at 5:30 pm and lasts until 7:30 pm.

Persons interested in being a sponsor of the reception are asked to contribute $250.

Anyone who wishes to attend, but not sponsor, the event are encouraged to donate at least $50.

Feel free to make your contribution securely online by clicking here, or mail your personal check to The Goodwin Committee, P.O. Box 27841,Raleigh, NC 27611.

P.S. If you're unable to attend the Asheville event, then consider attending the Raleigh fundraiser two nights before on Sept 30.

You're Invited to Help Make Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin's 1st Annual Fall Fundraiser a Success!

You are cordially invited to the

1ST ANNUAL FALL FUNDRAISER for

NC INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WAYNE GOODWIN

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
5:30-7:30 pm
Marriott Center City – Downtown Raleigh
Next to Convention Center

Main Ballroom

Sponsors
Gold: $2,000
Silver: $500
Bronze: $250

General Admission: $100/person

If unable to attend, then please consider a donation of $50 or $25 instead to help Wayne reach his campaign's fundraising goal for the year. Feel free to contribute securely online by clicking here.

Or, make your individual personal check or PAC check (no corporate, NC lobbyist, insurance company/insurance industry, or business checks) out to “The Goodwin Committee”. Please either return your check by mailing to P.O. Box 27841, Raleigh NC 27611 or presenting at the registration table on September 30th.

For more information, go to www.waynegoodwin.org or call (910)997-1301.

Take this opportunity to meet our State's newest Commissioner of Insurance.

And, please spread the word among fellow professionals, friends, and supporters.

Paid for by The Goodwin Committee. Not paid for by government funds or resources.