1.
Policyowners who buy a health insurance policy issued in North Carolina are entitled to review the policy without obligation for at least how many days after it is delivered?
Correct Answer
B. 10
Explanation
The right to examine provision of health insurance policies issued in North Carolina entitles a policyowner to review the policy for at least ten days after it is delivered. If unsatisfied with it for any reason, the policyowner can return it to the insurer for a full refund of the premium paid.
2.
Which of the following is not considered a health benefit plan?
Correct Answer
D. Medicare supplement policy
Explanation
HMO contracts, accident and health insurance policies or certificates, and multiple employer welfare arrangement plans are considered health benefit plans. A Medicare supplement policy is not a health benefit plan.
3.
Which of the following entities would not be considered a health insurer in North Carolina?
Correct Answer
D. A reciprocal insurer
Explanation
HMOs, hospital service corporations, and group health plans are all considered health insurers in North Carolina. A reciprocal insurer is not a health insurer.
4.
To boost her sales at the end of the year, Agent Trudy started offering potential clients a $250 cash gift card in exchange for purchasing a life insurance policy. Which ethical sales practice has Agent Trudy violated?
Correct Answer
C. Rebating
Explanation
Agents cannot offer anything of value to induce someone to buy insurance, including a rebate of the premium, dividends, stocks or bonds, or paid employment. They also cannot pay or offer to pay anything of value that is not specified in the insurance contract. This unfair trade practice is known as rebating.
5.
Becky works as an agent for Delta Insurance Company, which is located in North Carolina. What must Becky do in order to sell life insurance on behalf of Delta to U.S. military personnel who are stationed in Germany?
Correct Answer
C. She must obtain a restricted license.
Explanation
The Commissioner may issue a restricted military sales agent license to a person who represents a domestic life insurance company in a foreign country on a U.S. military installation or with U.S. military personnel.
6.
Terry is licensed in North Carolina as a life and health insurance agent. To maintain his license, how many hours of continuing education must he complete every two years?
Correct Answer
B. 24
Explanation
In every two-year license renewal period, licensees are required to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education. At least three hours must be in ethics.
7.
Abby lives in Maryland, where she is licensed as an insurance agent. She wants to apply for a nonresident license in North Carolina. Which of the following conditions must she satisfy?
Correct Answer
D. She must show her license to be in good standing in Maryland.
Explanation
A person who is not a North Carolina resident may be licensed as an insurance agent in North Carolina if the person is a licensed agent in good standing in his or her home state.
8.
An insurer must notify its current customers of its privacy policies or practices at least once every how often?
Correct Answer
B. 12 months
Explanation
An insurer or agent must notify its current customers of its privacy policies or practices at least once every year.
9.
Harry is enrolled in a PPO and is currently seeing a health-care provider who does not participate in the plan. Which of the following statements is true?
Correct Answer
D. The PPO may limit coverage if Harry receives health-care services from a nonparticipating provider.
Explanation
A person enrolled in a PPO may obtain health-care services from a provider who does not participate in the plan. However, a PPO may limit coverage for health-care services obtained from a nonparticipating provider.
10.
Which of the following is not a power granted to the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance?
Correct Answer
D. Prosecuting individuals for violating insurance laws
Explanation
The Commissioner reports violations concerning the insurance business to the state attorney general or other law enforcement officials, who are responsible for prosecuting criminal acts.
11.
Larry, Brian, Susan, and Jennifer just started working for AllPro Insurance Company in North Carolina. Based on their job descriptions below, which of them is NOT acting as a producer?
Correct Answer
B. Brian, who is a vice president in AllPro's human resources department and does not receive commissions
Explanation
An employee of an insurer who devotes substantially all of his or her time to activities other than soliciting insurance applications and who does not receive a commission based upon the amount of insurance business transacted is not acting as an agent.
12.
Which of the following is NOT an unfair claims settlement practice if committed by an insurance company in North Carolina?
Correct Answer
B. Failing to promptly settle a claim for which liability is uncertain
Explanation
An insurer is not obligated to settle a claim for which it is not clearly liable
13.
When meeting with a prospect to discuss life insurance, Agent Tyler makes disparaging comments about the financial stability and reputation of a competitor to dissuade the prospect from purchasing its policies. Which unfair trade practice has Agent Tyler committed?
Correct Answer
A. Defamation
Explanation
It is considered defamation to publish or circulate a false, deceptive, or misleading statement about—or a statement that is maliciously critical of or derogatory to—the financial condition of an insurer, when such a statement is designed to injure anyone in the insurance business.
14.
A franchise accident and health insurance policy may be issued to at least how many employees of a corporation?
Correct Answer
C. Five
Explanation
Franchise accident and health coverage is an individual health insurance policy that may be issued to five or more employees of a corporation, copartnership, individual employer, or governmental entity.
15.
Acme Insurance and Apogee Insurance agree to offer different premium rates for persons of equal risk within a particular class. They also agree to limit benefits paid to insureds within this class if the insureds live in certain counties of North Carolina. What are Acme and Apogee engaging in?
Correct Answer
B. Unfair and prohibited business practices
Explanation
Acme and Apogee are agreeing to an unreasonable restraint of trade in the insurance business of North Carolina. Furthermore, they are engaging in unfair discrimination by charging persons of the same class and substantially equal risk different premium rates and by paying different benefits to persons in this class.
16.
Anthony is eligible for Medicaid and also eligible for coverage under his new employer's group health benefit plan. Which statement is correct?
Correct Answer
C. The employee benefit plan may not take into account the fact that Anthony is receiving Medicaid benefits when paying benefits.
Explanation
An employee benefit plan may not limit or exclude benefits because an employee is eligible for Medicaid. A health insurer may not take into account the fact that a person is eligible for or receiving Medicaid benefits when issuing policies or paying benefits.
17.
Which statement about the coverage of chemical dependency under a group health insurance policy is CORRECT?
Correct Answer
D. A group policyholder must have the option to purchase coverage for chemical dependency treatment.
Explanation
Group accident and health insurance policies must contain an optional rider allowing certificate holders to obtain coverage for chemical dependency. Benefits for chemical dependency must be subject to the same durational limits, dollar limits, deductibles, and coinsurance factors that apply to benefits for physical illness generally.
18.
Which type of limited policy will provide health insurance benefits when the insured or his dependents are hospitalized?
Correct Answer
D. Hospitalization policy
Explanation
Hospitalization insurance provides benefits when the insured or his or her dependents are hospitalized.
19.
Josephson Corporation will be offering a group health insurance policy this year to its employees. Which employee will not be eligible for coverage?
Correct Answer
C. Sebastian, who works part-time for the company during the fall and winter
Explanation
Owners, proprietors, and partners are considered eligible employees along with individuals who work on a full-time, nonseasonal basis, with a normal work week of 30 or more hours. Those who work on a part-time, temporary, or substitute basis are not eligible to participate in an employer-sponsored group health plan.
20.
Statewide Insurers wants to obtain an investigative consumer report about an applicant because of questions it has regarding the individual's credit history. What must Statewide do before it can obtain a report?
Correct Answer
A. Notify the applicant that he has the right to be interviewed in connection with the report
Explanation
Insurers and agents may not prepare or request an investigative consumer report about an individual in connection with an insurance application unless the person is informed that he or she may request to be interviewed in connection with the report and is entitled to receive a copy.
21.
A health insurance policy must pay benefits for services provided by all of the following EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
D. Homeopathic practitioners
Explanation
Health insurance policies are required to pay benefits for services provided by optometrists, registered nurses, and physician assistants. They are not required to pay for care provided by homeopathic practitioners.
22.
Emil, an agent licensed in North Carolina, moves to a new home on April 30. He is required to notify the North Carolina Department of Insurance by what date?
Correct Answer
B. May 10
Explanation
An agent who changes his or her residential or e-mail address must notify the Insurance Department within ten days of the change.
23.
Delta Vacation Cruises wants to purchase group health coverage for its passengers. Which type of insurance should Delta purchase?
Correct Answer
A. Blanket policy
Explanation
Blanket insurance provides health insurance benefits to a changing group of people who are exposed to the same risks, such as passengers on a cruise ship.
24.
Which of the following techniques is not used during the utilization review process?
Correct Answer
B. Preventive care review
Explanation
Second opinions, discharge planning, and concurrent review are all part of the utilization review process. Preventive care review is not a utilization review technique.
25.
If a group health insurance policy terminates, an employee can elect to continue coverage provided he or she has been insured under the plan for how long before it terminates?
Correct Answer
A. 3 months
Explanation
To be eligible to continue coverage, an employee or member must have been continuously insured for at least three months before the date of termination.
26.
When collecting personal financial or health information, an insurance company is required to do all of the following EXCEPT
Correct Answer
D. Provide individuals with copies of documents disclosed to other parties.
Explanation
When collecting or using nonpublic personal financial or health information, an insurer must notify individuals about the insurer’s privacy policies and practices, describe conditions under which the insurer may disclose this information to other parties, and provide methods for individuals to prevent this disclosure.
27.
Anthony becomes an agent for Acme Insurance Company. Acme has not filed the notice of appointment with the Commissioner. It must do so within how many days?
Correct Answer
B. 15
Explanation
An insurer must file a notice of appointment with the Commissioner within 15 days of receiving the first insurance application from the agent.
28.
A claimant on a health insurance policy must give written notice of the claim to the insurer within how many days following a loss?
Correct Answer
D. 20
Explanation
A claimant on a health insurance policy must give written notice of the claim to the insurer within 20 days after a loss or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible.
29.
Before delivering a health insurance policy to a client, the agent alters the insuring clause in a way that he believes will benefit the insurance company. Which of the following statements is correct regarding this alteration?
Correct Answer
B. It is prohibited by the entire contract provision.
Explanation
Under the entire contract provision, changes to an insurance policy are invalid unless they are approved and endorsed by an officer of the insurance company. An agent cannot unilaterally change the terms of the policy.
30.
Best Insurance Company is incorporated in Canada and just applied for a license to transact insurance in North Carolina. Which type of insurer is Best Insurance Company considered in North Carolina?
Correct Answer
C. Alien
Explanation
North Carolina classifies insurance companies according to where they were incorporated. An alien company is one that has been incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States.
31.
Bob had been working at Sunset Airlines for ten years when he was laid off on June 1. How long can Bob continue his health insurance coverage under Sunset's group plan?
Correct Answer
D. 18 months
Explanation
A group sickness and accident insurance policy must provide that an employee who has been insured continuously for at least three months and whose coverage is terminated for any reason other than nonpayment of the premium is entitled to continue coverage under the group plan for up to 18 more months.
32.
Which of the following is not required to be covered under a group health insurance policy issued in North Carolina?
Correct Answer
A. Mammograms every year beginning at age 30
Explanation
Health insurance policies must cover one baseline mammogram for women ages 35 through 39. Thereafter, insurers must cover mammograms on a schedule that depends on a woman's age and breast cancer risk.
33.
During the application process, ABC Insurers receives personal and confidential information about Tom, who is applying for a life insurance policy. In which of the following circumstances must ABC Insurers obtain Tom's written authorization before disclosing this information?
Correct Answer
C. Before disclosing information to third parties for telemarketing and sales purposes
Explanation
ABC Insurers must obtain Tom's written authorization before disclosing personal and confidential information obtained during the application process if it discloses information to third parties for telemarketing and sales purposes.
34.
Blanket disability policies can be issued to all of the following EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
D. A family, covering family members
Explanation
Blanket sickness and accident insurance may be issued to common carriers, employers, colleges, volunteer fire departments, and other similar groups.
35.
Ed, Myrna, Jane, and Ravi were each covered by different group health insurance policies that just terminated. Which person will be eligible to convert to an individual health insurance policy?
Correct Answer
D. Ravi, who had been working at ABC Corporation for six years when the plan terminated because the insurer stopped offering plans in the state
Explanation
Group health insurance policies must give each insured the option to convert to an individual policy without providing evidence of insurability if group coverage terminates. The option is available to anyone who has been insured under the group plan for at least three months.
36.
The Commissioner of Insurance cannot suspend or revoke an agent’s license for which of the following reasons?
Correct Answer
A. Failing to meet projected sales goals
Explanation
accepting insurance from an unlicensed individual
37.
Jim owes $10,000 to Acme Corporation, and he pays $500 each month on the loan. If he decides to take out a credit accident and health insurance policy to cover the payments if he dies or becomes disabled, the policy may not exceed what amount?
Correct Answer
B. The total amount of Jim's debt
Explanation
A credit accident and health insurance policy cannot exceed the total amount of indebtedness at any given time, nor may the monthly disability benefit exceed the amount of the loan's monthly payment.
38.
Abby, age 66, just purchased an individual health insurance policy. On what basis can the insurer exclude coverage for diabetes, a condition that Abby was diagnosed with one year ago?
Correct Answer
D. The insurer may limit coverage only if Abby's pre-existing condition was specifically defined in the policy.
Explanation
Individual or family health insurance policies issued to individuals over age 65 may limit coverage only for pre-existing conditions that are defined in the policy.
39.
Eric fails to pay the annual premium on his major medical insurance policy. The grace period provision allows him to pay the premium within how many days after the due date?
Correct Answer
D. 31
Explanation
A policyholder is entitled to a 31-day grace period in which to pay the premium due on an annually renewable health insurance policy.
40.
Agent Smith knows that his best friend, Agent Thomas, is embezzling money from clients. However, Agent Smith does not notify the Commissioner in order to protect his friend. What is the result?
Correct Answer
A. Agent Smith's license will be revoked.
Explanation
Anyone who believes that insurance fraud, embezzlement, or a violation of the insurance laws is being or has been committed is required to notify the Commissioner. A person's license will be revoked or not renewed if he or she willfully fails to comply with this requirement.
41.
Bill believes he has a cause of action against his health insurer for itsrefusal to pay benefits on a claim. He filed written proof of loss on April1. Not having received a response by May 1, he decides to take legalaction. What will his attorney probably do?
Correct Answer
B. Advise him to wait
Explanation
The legal actions provision of a health insurance policy prohibits the insured from suing the insurer on a claim before
60 days have passed since filing written proof of loss. However, an insured cannot bring suit after six years have
passed since filing proof of loss.
42.
Newborn children are automatically covered under an insured’s healthinsurance policy for how long?
Correct Answer
B. From birth to 30 days
Explanation
Dependent children are covered by their parents’ health insurance from the moment of birth. The policyholder must
notify the insurer of a child’s birth within 30 days and must pay the premium to continue health coverage for the child
beyond the 30-day
period.
43.
Emily solicits policies and accepts premiums from the public but is notlicensed as an agent. She then turns over the applications andpremiums to her husband, who is licensed. Which statement is correct?
Correct Answer
D. Emily has committed a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Explanation
It is unlawful for a person to solicit insurance, accept premiums, or otherwise act as an agent, broker, limited
representative, adjuster, or appraiser without a license. A violation of this requirement is considered a Class 1
misdemeanor.
44.
Which of the following statements about the conversion provision ingroup health insurance policies is correct?
Correct Answer
C. A person will not have the right to convert a policy if it was terminated due to nonpayment of premium.
Explanation
A person does not have a conversion right if a group policy was terminated due to nonpayment of premium or is
replaced by similar coverage under another group policy within 31 days. A person also cannot convert to an individual
policy if he or she did not continue coverage for the entire 18-month
continuation period after the group policy
terminated.
45.
Creative Computers Inc. replaced its group health plan ten days afterterminating its prior coverage. Which of the following statements aboutcovering employees under the new plan is correct?
Correct Answer
A. The new policy must cover individuals who were insured under the prior plan.
Explanation
If a group accident and health insurance policy is replaced by another group contract within 15 days after the plan
terminates, each person who is eligible for coverage under the new plan must be insured, regardless of any
provisions relating to active employment, hospital confinement, or pregnancy.
46.
Which of the following persons would not qualify for a temporaryproducer’s license in North Carolina?
Correct Answer
D. Parttime
producer of a licensed agency
Explanation
Anyone who transacts insurance in North Carolina, even on a parttime
basis, must obtain an insurance producer’s
license.
47.
Zelda, a producer selling health insurance, assures a prospectiveapplicant that the insurance company she represents is backed by theprotections of the North Carolina Life and Health Insurance GuarantyAssociation. Which of the following statements is correct regarding thiskind of assurance?
Correct Answer
B. It is prohibited at all times.
Explanation
It is an unfair trade practice to use the existence of the North Carolina Life and Health Insurance Guaranty
Association, or the protections the association offers, for the purpose of selling insurance.
48.
To qualify for an insurance agent's license, a person must have all of thefollowing EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
A. College degree
Explanation
To qualify for a license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, complete a prelicensing education program, pay
the licensing fees, and pass the required state examination. An applicant also must not have been convicted of a
felony or crime involving dishonesty or fraud.
49.
Which of the following groups would typically NOT be eligible for groupaccident and health insurance?
Correct Answer
B. Neighborhood group
Explanation
Employer groups, association groups, and labor unions are eligible for group accident and health insurance.
Neighborhood groups are not an approved group.
50.
Which type of insurance helps an insured pay off a loan if he or shebecomes disabled?
Correct Answer
A. Credit accident and health insurance
Explanation
Credit accident and health insurance helps an insured pay off a loan if he or she dies or becomes disabled. In this
case, the policy pays monthly benefits equal to the amount of the monthly loan payment due.