SCC News

RICHMOND – Helping Americans understand their consumer rights and make informed choices – that’s the goal of National Consumer Protection Week. The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is pleased to join the Federal Trade Commission and other federal, state and local agencies and organizations for this annual awareness campaign, which runs from March 5-11, 2023.

Whether you are shopping for a mortgage or automobile loan, have questions about your insurance policies or want to understand charges on your utility bill, the SCC may be able to help. SCC staff may provide information as well as assist with questions and concerns involving entities that the SCC regulates including insurance companies and agents, state-chartered financial institutions, investment firms and their representatives, retail franchises, and investor-owned utilities providing electric, natural gas, water, sewer and landline telecommunications service.

The SCC provides outreach and consumer guides in addition to other materials on topics such as understanding mortgage loans, investing wisely, saving energy, explaining various types of insurance, and more.

When it comes to regulated businesses and services, the SCC encourages Virginians to shop around and understand their options; thoroughly evaluate any offer; keep written records of all transactions; find products and services that suit their particular needs; review statements and bills regularly; learn to spot scams, and verify that an individual or company is properly licensed or registered.

Consumers should attempt to resolve issues directly with a regulated individual or company first. If the issue is not resolved to the consumer’s satisfaction, however, they can contact the SCC through its toll-free number at 1-800-552-7945 or call the appropriate SCC division in Richmond using the numbers below:

• Bureau of Insurance – 804-371-9741
• Bureau of Financial Institutions – 804-371-9657
• Division of Securities and Retail Franchising – 804-371-9051
• Division of Public Utility Regulation – 804-371-9611
• Office of the Clerk – 804-371-9733
• Division of Information Resources – 804-371-9141

Information about the complaint process, along with related forms, are available from the Consumers section of the SCC website at scc.virginia.gov.

If the SCC does not have regulatory authority over a particular company, individual, product or transaction, its staff will assist consumers whenever possible by providing a referral to any appropriate local, state or federal authority for assistance. These authorities may include the Office of the Attorney General, law enforcement agencies, or the Federal Trade Commission (which consumers can also contact directly through its toll-free helpline at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)).

To learn more about National Consumer Protection Week, visit consumer.ftc.gov.

###

Contact: Jordan Bondurant, 804-371-9141

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) reminds Virginia consumers that they can sign up for health insurance coverage or make changes to an existing plan now through HealthCare.gov. This open enrollment period ends January 15, 2023.

Coverage will start February 1, 2023 for all enrollments occurring through January 15 at HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment – which usually runs from November through January – is the only time consumers can enroll in coverage without a qualifying life event that makes them eligible for a special enrollment period.

For 2023, the federal government has continued enhanced premium credits to help cover premium costs for health insurance purchased through HealthCare.gov and more Virginians are now eligible for financial assistance. The federal government also recently finalized a new rule which makes this financial assistance available to family members of certain workers whose employer-provided insurance may not be affordable for spouses and dependents.

Health insurance plans sold through the federal marketplace, known as qualified health plans, must provide coverage for 10 essential health benefits which include:

Qualified health plans generally prohibit denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, require zero copays on a range of preventive care, and have no dollar limits on covered benefits.

Through HealthCare.gov, Virginia residents may access financial assistance to lower costs for health insurance for plan year 2023. There are now at least two health carriers participating in the marketplace in every county and region across the Commonwealth.

To begin an application or to make changes to existing coverage, consumers can visit HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, TTY: 1-855-889-4325. For free in-person or online help, or help over the phone, Virginia residents have several options.

• Local navigators and assisters can be found at the Enroll Virginia website: ENROLL Virginia! (enrollva.org) or by calling 1-888-392-5132.
• Certified agents and brokers in their community can be found by visiting Get help applying and more | HealthCare.gov

Virginia is on track to complete the transition to a Virginia-based health insurance marketplace by fall of 2023. To learn more about the Virginia Exchange or to obtain additional contact information, visit the SCC Exchange website at HBE Consumer Contact.