New Jersey insurance regulators are warning state residents who bought health insurance from a collection of Tennessee-based trade associations that have been shut down to file claims for any losses by Aug. 31.

Tom Considine

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Tom Considine said the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is handling liquidation proceedings against American Trade Association, Inc., American Trade Association LLC, Smart Data Solutions, and Serve America Assurance.

“It is very important that anyone in New Jersey, or any other state, who may have been defrauded by these organizations file claims right away,” Considine said in a statement. “I want to make sure that anyone who has a legitimate claim receives the payment that is due them or their health provider.”

Tennessee authorities said the four trade associations represented themselves as legitimate health plans when they were not backed by licensed carriers and marketed unregulated, limited-benefit “discount” programs which they represented as legitimate “affordable” health coverage to consumers in numerous states through the Internet and direct mail.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is requesting outstanding proof of claims on or before 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Aug. 31. Information on how to file a claim can be found at www.americantradeliquidation.com or by calling 1-800-446-7467.

Any coverage for insurance or other benefits with these firms expired at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on May 31. Those with memberships provided by these firms are encouraged to replace those policies with ones issued by licensed carriers. Tennessee authorities say that members of these trade groups received letters on moving their health insurance plans. There is no approved roll-over from these plans to any other membership association for health insurance.

More information on the liquidation of these firms can be obtained by e-mailing questions[at]americantradeliquidation[dot]com.