The Colorado Division of Insurance ("DOI"), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies ("DORA"), has issued cease and desist orders for Trinity Healthshare and Aliera Healthcare. Trinity represents itself as a healthcare sharing ministry. Aliera is the administrator, marketer, and program manager for Trinity.
In a statement, the DOI said that this action resulted from concerns about these companies and their interactions with Colorado consumers.
Over the past few months, the DOI said, it has received a number of complaints from consumers regarding these companies. The DOI said that it is concerned that they may be using misleading marketing practices, blurring the lines between health insurance that complies with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act ("ACA") and non-compliant insurance.
Because of this, the DOI said, the companies may be putting consumers at risk and violating Colorado insurance law.
The orders require the companies to immediately cease and desist conducting insurance business in Colorado. However, the DOI said, it included provisions in the orders to protect Colorado consumers who are members of the health care sharing programs offered by these entities, requiring that the companies honor and maintain any existing contracts, plans, or policies with Colorado businesses and consumers until the insurance commissioner releases them from this obligation.
Washington and Texas also have issued cease and desist orders against Trinity and Aliera.
Learn more:
- Washington Insurance Commissioner Seeks $1.1 Million in Fines from Aliera and Trinity
- Texas Sues Aliera Healthcare, Which Agrees to Stop Selling Health Insurance in Texas, at Least for Now
- Signed Texas-Aliera agreement
- Colorado Division of Insurance Alerts Consumers to Risks of Unregulated Health Care Sharing Programs
- Now, Texas Department of Insurance Alleges Aliera Sells Health Plans in Violation of Law
Steven A. Meyerowitz
Steven A. Meyerowitz, a Harvard Law School graduate, is the founder and president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. He may be contacted at [email protected].