May 13, 1976

SUBJECT: INSURANCE

Circular Letter No. 14 (1976)

WITHDRAWN

TO: ALL INSURERS LICENSED TO WRITE ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE

RE: ACCIDENT AND HEALTH RATE APPROVAL - PREMIUM DIFFERENTIALS BASED ON SEX FOR DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE

As you are aware, this Department, on January 28, 1975, promulgated Regulation 75 which prohibits an insurer from refusing to issue any policy of insurance because of the sex of the applicant.

In the "OPINION AND REPORT" released with the Regulation, this Department committed itself to a study of available data to determine the propriety of different rates for males and females for accident and health insurance. The study was to be completed on December 31, 1975. All premium rates to be charged for disability income insurance approved after January 28, 1975 were approved for a period ending June 30, 1976 or for a period of one year, whichever was later. Due to unavoidable delays, the Department study has not been completed. We hope to complete the study before the end of the month.

In view of the delay in releasing this study and because some insurers may need time to re-file premium rates after the promulgation of a Department regulation based on this study, the temporary approval of all disability income premium rates granted for a period of time which expires prior to December 31, 1976 is hereby extended to December 31, 1976.

Very truly yours,

[SIGNATURE]

THOMAS A. HARNETT

Superintendent of Insurance