Florida Law and Ethics Update (215 218)

This continuing education class fulfills the entire law and ethics review required for this license renewal. In addition to discussing recent and significant legislative changes to the practice of insurance in Florida, it covers topics and cites references that have been legislated and codified into law in the state.

This course provides licensees in Life and Health Insurance with the four hours of continuing education mandated by the state of Florida. The material covered will help students review and clarify the regulatory structure for insurance in the state of Florida, deepen their knowledge of ethics standards enforced in Florida with regard to insurance, and refresh their understanding of their responsibilities and of the professional standards to which they are held. Most importantly, the class covers major changes enacted during prior years, with a focus on the law updates and changes from the most recent legislative sessions, preparing the licensee for the upcoming year..

Some of the topics covered include the following:

• Regulatory awareness, including the various departments in Florida that administer financial services and insurance;
• Licensing requirements, including appointments, contact information, agency licensing, transferring, surrendering and terminating licenses, grounds for compulsory or discretionary refusal of a license, as well as suspensions and revocations for individuals and agencies;
• Other requirements by law will explore advertising and record-keeping mandates;
• New insurance laws are discussed for both Florida and on a federal level, including Best Interest standards and the 12-point consumer profile, senior surrender charge limits unfair methods of competition and deceptive acts and trade practices, rebating and changes related to value-added services;
• Issues and laws related to protection for specified adults, exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult, refund of patient overpayments, colorectal cancer screenings, dental claims,
• healthcare innovation, transparency in prescription drugs and price increases, emergency refill of insulin and related supplies, protections of medical conscience, changes to the Affordable Care Act including subsidy changes;
• Ethical requirements are thoroughly discussed, and include the state’s Code of Ethics, the NAIFA ethical code, marketing and regulatory environments that require ethical actions and additional ethical guidelines for Florida licensees;
• Suitability of sales to consumers and required elements that make a sale suitable for the customer;
• Unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive practices by insurers, agents, agencies and claims personnel;
• Understanding required premium discounts;
• An exploration of recent violations and enforcement actions in life and health insurance with an emphasis on how to perform within expectations and within ethical and legal guidelines;
• Unauthorized products and how they are treated in Florida including examples;
• New and important terminology that applies to Florida insurance professionals; and
• Recent legislation affecting those in the insurance industry in Florida.

During the course, there will be in-text questions to help the licensee gauge their knowledge while moving through the class and to test their knowledge as they go. There is also a final exam of 25 questions at the end of the class that must be successfully completed to receive certification for the course.

Course Format: Text

Credit Type: Elective, Laws and Rules

Course ID(s): 139955

Approved By: Florida Department of Financial Services - Division of Insurance