Regulatory Updates

Effective September 26, 2025, Illinois updated its language for rules around renewing resident and nonresident certifications.  - Navigator, in-person counselor, certified application counselor, and certified application counselor organization certification will be valid through October 31 of the plan year for which the certificate holder completed the curriculum

- A certification may be renewed unless: - It is suspended, revoked, or nonrenewed; or - The certificate holder requests to cancel the certification.

- For certificates to perform navigator, certified application counselor, or in-person counselor activities in a State-based Exchange, an applicant or certificate holder must: - Visit  and register for the Get Covered Illinois Learning Management System (GCILMS) application; and - Successfully complete the Director-approved training modules prescribed in GCILMS for the applicable certification 

Posted October 23, 2025, Delaware posted a Bulletin reminding Surplus Lines Brokers that they are required to submit timely and accurate payments of surplus lines premium taxes to the Department. Please see the attachment for more information. 

Idaho releases its October newsletter. Some highlights are: - **NAIC Western Zone Meeting:** - Idaho hosted insurance commissioners from 14 states and 3 territories for discussions on catastrophe modeling, disaster response, health exchanges, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation, and other shared issues. - **2026 Health Insurance Rates Published:** - The DOI released proposed 2026 premium rates for individual and small group health plans, available on the DOI website. - **Medicare Open Enrollment Advisory:** - The DOI urged beneficiaries to review plans carefully amid national changes to Medicare Advantage offerings due to higher costs and regulatory shifts. Open enrollment runs October 15–December 7, 2025. - **Spanish-Language Licensing Exams:** - As of July 27, 2025, Pearson Vue offers the Idaho resident insurance licensing exam in Spanish to improve accessibility for producers. Please see the attachment for more information.

Maryland releases its October newsletter. Some highlights are:

- Cybersecurity Awareness Month - Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Disability Employment Awareness Month - Hispanic Heritage Month - Medicare Open Enrollment: Runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7; compare plans at Medicare.gov. - Upcoming Daylight Saving Reminder Please see the attachment for more information.

Effective January 1, 2026**, **Kentucky company appointment renewals will be created, with invoices available for payment from January 7, 2026, through June 30, 2026. The termination deadline is December 31, 2025.

Effective October 2, 2025, Georgia updated language for residents and nonresidents for ‘Georgia Access Specialists’ licensing.  - Deleted Sircon registration requirement for Georgia Access Specialists. - Each principal office of an agency must obtain an agency license before beginning operations. An agency with multiple locations in Georgia must designate one location as a principal office. - ~~An agency with multiple locations in Georgia must designate one location as a principal office.~~ - ~~All other locations of the agency are considered to be branch offices. ~~

Posted October 15, 2025, New Mexico announces the company appointment renewal invoices will be available for payment from January 5, 2026 - April 30, 2026. The termination deadline is December 26, 2025. Please see the attachment for more information. Renewal Fees:  $20 per appointment

Effective 14, 2025, New Mexico Pharmacy Benefits Manager's new and renewal applications will no longer be filed in SERFF.  New and renewal applications will be handled through the Company Licensing Bureau. The application requirements may be found on the Company Licensing Bureau’s webpage: https://www.osi.state.nm.us/en/insurance-professionals/company-licensing/applying-for-admission-applications/

Please see the attachment for more information.

Effective November 14, 2025, Massachusetts will remove the following state-specific question from Nonresident License and Nonresident Renewal applications.  - Are you legally blind?

Posted October 10.2025, Connecticut** **sent a reminder to surplus lines brokers that the diligent effort requirement remains in effect (to obtain coverage from admitted insurers before using the surplus lines market), except when coverage is placed through an unaffiliated wholesale surplus lines broker. 

Under the general rule, a diligent effort is met if the coverage is on the Commissioner’s Exportable List or declined by three authorized insurers, with supporting documentation maintained for the policy term and one additional year. 

Brokers are no longer required to submit quarterly diligent effort filings via OPTins, but must retain all relevant documentation and provide it upon request. All surplus lines premium tax filings and payments must continue to be submitted electronically through OPTins on the quarterly due dates of February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15. Please see the following attachment for more information.