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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Atterholt can begin liquidating the assets of Indianapolis-based Benicorp Insurance Co. after winning approval today from Marion County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Sosin.
Sosin put Benicorp into receivership two months ago. Atterholt and his staff at the Indiana Department of Insurance took over Benicorp’s business as the company was three months behind in paying health claims generated by its 52,000 policyholders.
During that time, the Indiana Insurance Department has cleared the backlog, paying 38,000 claims. In addition, 80 percent of Benicorp’s customers have transferred to Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare or other health insurance companies.
“It is the best resolution given the unfortunate circumstances,” Atterholt said in a written statement.
Sosin also approved a service agreement with the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. Its members in the 28 states in which Benicorp operated, including Indiana, will now pay the claims filed by the remaining Benicorp policyholders.
The guaranty associations will continue the coverage still in force with Benicorp for covered policyholders who have not elected to transfer to another insurer prior to the liquidation date.
It is anticipated, however, that the associations will move to cancel this continued coverage as soon as legally possible following the liquidation order. Therefore, policyholders will need to pursue coverage with other insurers immediately.
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