Vol. 1
No. 10
March 25, 2021
Insurance Dept. takes control Westermanpensletter for msa rule change of Indy Health Insurance
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (March 19, 2021) – Arkansas Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits insurer Indy Health Insurance Company, Inc. (IHIC) has been placed under an order of rehabilitation by a circuit court in Pulaski County, Arkansas effective March 18. IHIC is an Arkansas domiciled company that provides Medicare Part D plans in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, and Georgia. An order was issued after Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain filed a petition for the appointment of a receiver for rehabilitation on Tuesday, March 16. After experiencing significant unfavorable claims development during the first quarter of 2021, IHIC was unable to provide regulators with a viable plan to address the unexpected losses.
After review and consideration of all available options, IHIC’s board of directors adopted a resolution voluntarily consenting to the entry of an order of rehabilitation. The immediate focus for regulators has now shifted to ensuring IHIC’s Medicare Part D beneficiaries obtain a new plan and that all outstanding claims are settled. Plan members in the impacted states will receive notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the coming days with information on the process for signing up for another Part D plan in their area. “As Insurance Commissioner, my first priority is to protect consumers,” said Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain. “And to do this, I must ensure all insurance com-
panies are adhering to the law, operating with financial integrity, and delivering on their promises to consumers.” As the appointed Receiver of the Company, McClain and his appointed Deputy Receiver, Steve Uhrynowycz, will be working with Company management, CMS, and the Court to determine the most efficient means for continuing Plan D Medicare services to the enrollees under the Company’s plan. The Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) will work with the Deputy Receiver, as well as the Company’s management and CMS, under the direction of the Court, to provide the most comfortable and expedient transition to a new prescription drug plan regulated by CMS. The Liquidation Division at AID administers the re-
habilitation or liquidation of insolvent insurance companies. In certain circumstances, when an insurance company is in financial trouble and there is the possibility that claims will not be paid because the assets may not be sufficient to meet policyholder obligations, the Insurance Department will step in to rehabilitate the company and return it to financial health, or if rehabilitation is not possible, liquidate an insolvent company for the benefit of policyholder, creditors, and taxpayers. Part D members with questions and/or concerns should call 1-800-799-0927 (TTY line: 711) or email customercare@ indyhealthinc.com. Consumers may also contact the AID Consumer Services Division at 1-800-852-5494.
opportunity for the students to showcase what they have been working on in their vocal lessons. “It forces students to be ready. It gives them something to work toward,” Secrest said. “It’s easy to fall into a pattern of not working very hard. NATS motivates them to have more continuity in growth.” Unlike previous years, this spring’s NATS competition was held virtually out of continued caution due to COVID-19, with Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark., hosting the workshop. And instead of the audition process spanning the course of a few days, this year students were required to prerecord their performances. “The competition being held virtually was definitely a unique experience,” said Stuart Sowerbutts, a senior music industry major from Hot Springs, Ark. “I miss the energy of in-person competition, but submitting videos online allowed us to still participate while keeping everyone safe.” The following are finalists from Ouachita, listed in order of hometown: Benton, Ark. – Veronica West, a freshman choral music education major and student of Dr. Maggie Garrett, earned third place in the freshman treble division. West also was a semifinalist in the freshman treble division. Bryant, Ark. – Meredith Medford, a freshman music industry and communications & media double major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned
third place in the lower college music theatre treble division. Medford also was a semifinalist in the lower college music theater treble division. Cleveland, Texas – Hannah Gothard, a senior musical theatre major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, received first place in the upper college music theatre treble division. Gothard also was a semifinalist in the upper college music theater treble division. Hot Springs, Ark. – Stuart Sowerbutts, a senior musical industry major and student of John Alec Briggs, placed third in the upper college music theatre TBB division. Sowerbutts also was a semifinalist in the upper college music theater TBB (tenor, baritone, bass) division. Other Ouachita students named semifinalists, in order of hometown, include: Alexander, Ark. – Matthew Mayfield, a sophomore vocal performance major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the sophomore TBB division. Benton, Ark. – Brennon Humphry, a freshman worship arts major and student of John Alec Briggs, was a semifinalist in the lower college music theater TBB division. Caraway, Ark. – Karlee Sanders, a senior choral music education major and student of John Alec Briggs, was a semifinalist in the junior treble division. Grand Cane, La. – Sarah Franklin, a sophomore musical theatre major and student
of Dr. Maggie Garrett, was a semifinalist in the lower college music theater treble division. Plano, Texas – Paige Price, a senior musical theatre major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the upper college music theater treble division. Prattsville, Ark. – Anna Holiman, a sophomore choral music education major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the lower college music theater treble division. Sheridan, Ark. – Madeline Martin, a senior musical theatre major and communications & media/strategic communications double major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the upper college music theater treble division. Texarkana, Ark. – Makenna Schaeffer, a junior musical theatre major and student of Dr. Maggie Garrett, was a semifinalist in the upper college music theater treble division. Wylie, Texas – Kinsey Potts, a junior music theatre major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the upper college music theater treble division. Mavric Herrera, a freshman worship arts major and student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the lower college music theater TBB division. Ouachita’s collaborative pianists for the competition included Kristen La Madrid, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker.
Thirteen semifinalist honors in virtual state NATS competition Claire Phillips OBU Media Four Ouachita Baptist University music students were recognized with finalist honors at the 2021 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions for the state of Arkansas. Over 130 Arkansas college students competed to reach the final round of the competition, which was conducted virtually this year, and 14 Ouachita students earned semifinalist and finalist recognitions. The annual competition not only includes the student auditions – with over 20 competition categories – but also includes workshops, professional presentations by NATS members, live performances and master classes. During auditions, each student is evaluated based on their skill, interpretation and artistry in the performance of their piece. They receive immediate feedback from the judges, who provide critique and direction. Students also have the opportunity to advance and earn cash prizes. “The competition is all designed to make them better performers in the end,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music at Ouachita. “It’s promoting singing as an artistic endeavor; it’s promoting singing as an art form and helping our students to grow to become the very best artists possible.” Held near the mid-semester mark, NATS also provides an
Deadline extended to May 17 for filing state income taxes Asa Hutchinson AR Governor Governor Asa Hutchinson, after consultation with the legislative leadership, has extended the deadline for filing state individual income tax until May 17, 2021, to coincide with the extended federal deadline. “Pushing back the due date
for state income tax is a simple
ment rate continue to improve,
17, 2021.
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Governor Hutchinson is-
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sued a proclamation today to
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the public health crisis.”
announce that he had signed
Hutchinson said. “The number
On Wednesday, the United
Executive Order 21-06, which
of our COVID-19 cases, hospi-
States Treasury Department
grants the extension for filing
talizations, and deaths contin-
and the Internal Revenue Ser-
an Arkansas tax return or pay-
ues to decline, and Arkansas
vice announced the deadline
ment until May 17, 2021. The
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for filing federal income tax
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economy and our unemploy-
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WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) along with 51 colleagues requesting a reversal of the proposed rule to reduce the population threshold for a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). “I am proud to come together with 51 of my colleagues to strongly oppose the proposed OMB rule change that would strip 144 communities in 45 states and Puerto Rico of their status as a Metropolitan Statistical Area,” said Rep. Westerman. “OMB provided no reasonable justification for changing 70 years of precedent in a manner that could detrimentally hinder the economic development of many communities across America. I am glad to work with my friends across the aisle to voice our opposition against this unacceptable rule change.” “The classification of our smaller cities is hugely important in funding streams, especially as we look towards our recovery from the pandemic,” said Rep. Wild. “I urge Acting Director Fairweather to keep in mind the needs of our communities at this critical juncture and rethink any move to reclassify cities from around the country, including those in my district.” Stakeholder Support: “In economic development and site selection for job creating projects, the
conversation begins with MSAs,” said Gary Troutman, CEO and President, Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. “If Hot Springs and Garland County were no longer an MSA, we would no longer even be considered for the many economic development projects that originate in this way. That would be devastating for our community. For the state of Arkansas to lose four of its seven MSAs would greatly reduce the state’s ability to attract economic development projects.” Background: On January 19, 2021, the Office of Management and Budget published a proposal in the Federal Register to change the population threshold for a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The current population threshold, which has been unchanged since 1950, is 50,000 or more persons. The proposed new threshold will be 100,000 or more persons. This change will cause 144 of the 392 MSAs to lose their designation. Declassified cities will either lose access to some federal programs or see greatly diminished federal funding from those using the MSA designation as a qualifying factor. Some programs, like the Community Development Block Grant, Federal Transit Administration grants, and Medicare’s prospective payment system for acute care hospital inpatients could be inaccessible to these communities.
Policy changes for recreation passes VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has announced changes to its purchase policies for annual USACE and America the Beautiful recreation passes. Due to COVID-19 precautions, purchase protocol has been updated to limit contact between visitors and USACE personnel across recreation sites in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. Rangers and park attendants will not sell passes in the field at any location. America the Beautiful passes can still be purchased online at https:// store.usgs.gov/pass. Purchase policies for the Mississippi lakes include: Arkabutla Lake: Passes can be purchased at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office by appointment only. Visitors can call 662-5626261 or 662-292-1992 to make their appointment. Face masks are required. Sardis Lake: Passes can be purchased at the Sardis Lake Field Office by appointment only. Visitors can call 662-5634531 to make their appointment and are required to meet a ranger outside the field office to complete purchase. Face masks are required. Enid Lake: Passes can be purchased at the Enid Lake Field Office by appointment only, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors must call the field office at 662-563-4571 to schedule an appointment and arrive with the required documentation and correct cash or check for payment. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. USACE personnel will meet visitors outside the office. A doorbell and instruction sheet have also been placed on the front door of the field office if visitors need assistance during office hours. Face masks are required. Grenada Lake: Passes can be purchased by calling the Grenada Lake Visitor Center at 662-226-
5911 and scheduling an appointment. An attendant will meet visitors outside to complete the purchase. Face masks are required. Policies for the Arkansas lakes include: Lake Ouachita: Passes can only be purchased at the Lake Ouachita Field Office front desk from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and appointments are not required. Cash or card payments only are accepted. Face masks are required. For more information, contact the field office at 501767-2101. DeGray Lake: Passes can be purchased by calling the DeGray Lake Visitor Center at 870-2465501. Transactions can be completed over the phone or by mailing a $40 check to 729 Channel Road, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, postal code 71923. No in-person payment will be accepted. Passes will be mailed to customers upon transaction completion. Lake Greeson: Passes can be purchased at the Lake Greeson Field Office by appointment only. Visitors can call 870-2853700 to schedule an appointment. Face masks are required. Passes for Louisiana projects can only be purchased at the Louisiana Field Office in Monroe, Louisiana. Visitors must call the field office at 318-324-5482 to schedule an appointment, and face masks are required. For more information or question about purchasing a pass, contact Aaron Posner at 601-631-5287. Annual USACE recreation passes cost $40 and grant visitors access to all day use areas. The passes are valid for one calendar year from the month of sale. Customers will receive a plastic hang tag for their vehicles as proof of purchase. For more information about specific pass policies, visit https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/ Recreation/Passes.aspx.