Date: July 2, 2002
For more information contact: Kyle Richmond (608) 267-9336 or kyle.richmond@oci.state.wi.us

Madison, WI--The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) has ordered a Wisconsin insurance agency and insurance agent to stop marketing insurance products under the pretense of offering information about a new state run prescription drug program for senior citizens.

FHK Corporation of Milwaukee, an insurance agency, has been ordered to stop telemarketing and other sales activities which mention SeniorCare, the state's new prescription drug plan. FHK also has been ordered to pay a $1000 forfeiture, and an additional $50 forfeiture for every solicitation call mentioning SeniorCare. An FHK agent, Joseph Perry, has been ordered to pay a $1000 forfeiture for alleged misrepresentation. FHK and Perry deny the allegations and are entitled to a hearing to contest the alleged violations.

The agency responsible for SeniorCare--Wisconsin's Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS)--has confirmed that no one associated with the agency is or will be making housecalls to explain the program. DHFS will hold free informational sessions in the Milwaukee area and across the state. The informational sessions will be publicized well in advance. SeniorCare will start on September 1, 2002.

"We won't allow Wisconsinites, particularly senior citizens, to be duped into buying insurance products under false pretenses," Insurance Commissioner Connie L. O'Connell said. "If you're not sure about a marketing offer, call our office."

People who are contacted with such offers should find out the marketer's name, with whom she/he is affiliated and the purpose of the contact. They should then contact the OCI at 1-800-236-8517 with that information. They may also send inquiries by electronic mail to ociinformation@wisconsin.gov or by paper mail to Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, P. O. Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873.