http://www.csi.mt.govCommissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montanaen-ushttp://www.csi.mt.gov/images/rss.gifhttp://www.csi.mt.gov9034 http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/09012011_CancerCouncilAnnounced.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced a new advisory council to study ways to improve insurance coverage for cancer treatments. Currently, insurance companies cover routine care for patients who participate in clinical trials on a case-by-case basis, which can be confusing for patients and medical providers alike. The council will study and recommend ways to establish consistent coverage for Montana's cancer patients. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/09122011_MissoulaInvestmentFraud.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced that Terry Parks was found guilty on three counts of investment fraud in Missoula County District Court. Parks, a former Missoula resident, sold $55,000 worth of phony investments under the guise of helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/09232011_DocumentaryPremiere.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced that Terry Parks was found guilty on three counts of investment fraud in Missoula County District Court. Parks, a former Missoula resident, sold $55,000 worth of phony investments under the guise of helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/09272011_CancerCouncilMeeting1.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen will bring a council of healthcare providers, insurance professionals, cancer survivors, and patient advocates together at the same table for the first time on Wednesday, September 28th at the Best Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman to study ways to improve insurance coverage for cancer treatments. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/11022011_MedicareEnrollment.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced her office can help Montanans on Medicare enroll in vital prescription drug benefit under its early enrollment period this year. Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, which is earlier than in previous years when enrollment ran until the end of the year. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/11022011_LindeenAppointedFIOComm.aspToday, Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen was appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance, a 15-member panel that will provide advice to the U.S. Treasury's Federal Insurance Office (FIO). The FIO was established as a part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to monitor the insurance industry and identify issues that could lead to systemic risk in our nation's insurance industry and financial system. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/11042011_LindeenLeadNAIC.aspThe National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) today elected Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen to the organization's four-member leadership team, citing her ability to rise above partisan politics and do what's best for working families. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/11292011_MedHomeSurvey.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced Montana's next step toward a new, made-in-Montana model for health care delivery to reduce costs and improve quality. Lindeen previously created an advisory council on patient-centered medical homes to study how Montana can lower health care costs, improve access to quality care, achieve better health outcomes across the state, and rein in insurance premiums. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2011/12292011_CPAPartnership.aspWith the New Year and tax season just around the corner, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen has reached out to certified public accountants across the state by providing a copy of the new documentary, Gold Diggers: Investment Fraud in the Treasure State, and a handout highlighting ten common warning signs of securities fraud to more than 1,600 certified public accountants. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/01032012_SchaferAppointed.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced the appointment of Adam J. Schafer as her deputy commissioner and chief of staff. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/01112012_onlinecomplaint.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced the launch of a new, online complaint form for Montanans who have problems with their insurance. The new form comes after a million-dollar year-to-year increase in the amount of illegitimate premiums and unpaid claims Lindeen's office returned to Montana consumers in 2011. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/01182012_lifeinsuranceresource.aspIn tough economic times, people look everywhere � an IRA or 401k, credit cards, even under their mattress � for emergency cash. But according to a recent survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many consumers overlook life insurance as a potential source of immediate funds and few are aware of the investment features some policies offer. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/01242012_PCMHrecommendations.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today approved the recommendations of her advisory council on patient-centered medical homes, marking the next major step toward a new, Montana-made solution for lowering health care costs, improving access to quality care, and achieving better health outcomes across the state. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/02012012_interestrate.aspFollowing the Federal Reserve's announcement that interest rates are expected to remain low until at least late 2014, Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today cautioned investors to beware risky or outright fraudulent investments promising higher yield or returns. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/02082012_NBLASettlement.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced a settlement with the National Better Living Association and several of its affiliated companies that will relieve Montana victims of more than $170,000 in medical debt that amassed as a result of the company's allegedly illegal marketing of health insurance policies. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/02212012_NewWestPacificSource.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today approved the bulk reinsurance agreement between New West and Pacific Source, ensuring that New West customers will continue to receive the same benefits through PacificSource until their insurance policies renew. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/03022012_FloodInsurance.aspAfter record flooding caused millions of dollars in damage last year, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today reminded Montanans to consider buying flood insurance long before the snow starts to melt. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/03072012_PCMHgrant.asp Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced Montana's selection as one of three states to join the National Academy for State Health Policy's (NASHP) groundbreaking team of states working toward innovative, local solutions to reduce health care costs while improving quality and access. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/03192012_cctreport.asp Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today presented a landmark definition of routine care for cancer patients that improves patients' access to cutting-edge clinical trials. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/03222012_reynoldswanted.aspA Bozeman-area man faces up to 200 years in prison for allegedly setting up an elaborate investment scam that swindled at least 140 victims from 21 states and 6 countries out of more than $5 million. Richard Reynolds is wanted on 20 felony counts ranging from embezzlement to operating a Ponzi scheme. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/04122012_healthguide.asp Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced her office's new guide to health insurance, an everyday handbook for common insurance questions and problems. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/05202012_golffraud.aspWhen Troy Peissig shot a hole-in-one at a Missoula Country Club golf tournament, he won a special $18,000 prize. But almost two years later and despite multiple witness accounts, Peissig hasn't seen a dime of the prize money. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/06052012_westland.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen has issued an order placing Great Falls-based Westland Farm Mutual Insurance Company under her office's administrative supervision, citing the company's falling cash reserves as a risk to consumers. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/06282012_ACADecision.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today issued a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding the Affordable Care Act. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/06292012_firetips.aspAs homeowners across Montana look to rebuild from recent wildfires, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen gave Montanans some valuable tips for protecting their property and preparing for disaster. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/07022012_NFIP.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today commended Congress for passing legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for another five years. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/07092012_restitutionfund.aspCommissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica J. Lindeen today announced the first beneficiary of the state's new securities restitution fund, a pool of money set up to help victims of investment fraud. Reece Cobeen of Plains, Mont., a victim of a hurricane relief investment scam, will receive $13,750. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/07162012_hoscheid.aspAn insurance agent from Butte, Mont., has pleaded guilty to felony theft by insurance fraud for stealing more than $7,200 of his client's premiums. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/08142012_wreckcheck.aspMany Americans do not know what steps to take or basic information to share — or not share — after an accident. They may even put their identities and safety at risk by sharing too much personal information. The new WreckCheck mobile application from the NAIC can help eliminate that risk. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/10172012_BCBSHCSC.aspEditorial by Monica J. Lindeen, Montana Commissioner of Insurance, regarding the proposed transaction between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and Health Care Service Corporation. http://www.csi.mt.gov/news/2012/11022012_funkysharkorder.aspOn Thursday, a district court judge granted Commissioner of Securities Monica J. Lindeen a temporary restraining order against FunkyShark.com, a penny auction website that Lindeen's office suspects may be a pyramid scheme.