Penalized Insurer Required to Show Fixes

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A long-term care insurance company fined $325,000 by the state of South Dakota is being required to submit a timeline for fixing problems identified in a report.

The Argus Leader newspaper reports that the state Division of Insurance examination of Ability Insurance's business practices identified 20 findings in which the company was out of compliance with state laws, including dozens of wrongfully denied claims.

State Insurance Director Merle Scheiber says Ability must prove within a couple of months that it has fixed the problems, or face more discipline such as another fine or the suspension of its business license.

Ability spokesman Don Charsky says the company has "acted decisively" to make improvements, and that the company has made changes that address the findings in the division's report.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.