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The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), through its consumer advocates, recovered nearly $1.6 million for Oregonians in the third quarter of 2024.

DFR’s consumer advocates field calls every day from concerned and confused Oregonians over insurance and financial issues from institutions that are regulated by the division. Advocates have extensive industry knowledge and they analyze complex issues.

In the third quarter of this year, advocates have helped recover $1,599,299. The first two quarters of 2024 saw $5,397,613 in recoveries, bringing the year-to-date total to nearly $7 million.

“This is money that goes directly back into the pockets of Oregonians,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon insurance commissioner and director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Consumers don’t have to work alone in trying to fix an error by an insurance company or financial institution. Our consumer advocates are here to help.” 

Here are a few examples of work DFR advocates did during the third quarter: 

• A consumer filed a complaint as they were being charged for a hernia repaired while they were under anesthesia for another surgery. Upon receipt of the complaint, it was found that during the provider appeal, an agent accidentally denied the claim in error as the consumer’s responsibility, resulting in an amount due for the consumer. The claim was then denied correctly as “provider responsibility” for not getting the appropriate authorization for a hernia that would heal on its own. This kept the consumer from being balance billed for $15,830.38.
• A consumer purchased travel insurance and suffered a medical event during the trip. A claim was filed, and the consumer provided the medical bills to the company and was reimbursed $453.80, which was the maximum coverage limit. The consumer then submitted additional bills that went above the maximum coverage limit, but the insurer did not communicate either acceptance or denial for about 11 months. The consumer submitted a complaint and the insurer acknowledged that there had been delays in communication, but there would be no further payments made as the maximum coverage limit was previously met. After a division consumer advocate had further discussion with the insurer, the company agreed to issue an additional $173.80 to satisfy the consumer’s expenses.
• A consumer submitted a duplicate payment through a money transmitter, and the company returned the duplicate payment to that money transmitter. However, the consumer did not receive the payment from the money transmitter. After the division’s involvement, the consumer was refunded $1,068.65.

“Our consumer advocates are highly skilled professionals dedicated to solving consumer challenges,” said DFR Administrator TK Keen. “Their expertise and commitment ensure that consumers get the help they need, resulting in meaningful recoveries throughout the state.” 

Anyone who may need a consumer advocate can call 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for insurance questions and dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for financial services questions.

Here is the list of the consumer advocacy complaints through the first three quarter:

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

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Salem – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) will be hosting a public hearing on prescription drug prices on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. both in person and via Zoom. 

The hearing will feature panel presentations on “Who really pays for drug advertising and is what you see what you get?” and “Why are rebates necessary and how do they help or harm the consumer? How do they affect what drugs are available?” Panels will be moderated by Oregon legislators Sen. Deb Patterson, Rep. Christine Godwin, Rep. Emerson Levy, and Rep. Rob Nosse and feature presenters from academia, patient advocates, and industry representatives. You can learn more about the agenda on our website.

The public is invited to participate and comment on how drug prices have impacted them. You can attend the hearing via Zoom or in person at the Labor and Industries Building, second floor conference room (Room 260), located at 350 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. We encourage you to testify at the hearing or provide written testimony. For more information about the hearing, email rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov. 

DCBS is also asking for the public’s help before the public hearing to share your stories on prescription drug prices. The department has set up a brief survey for consumers to share their stories about rising prescription drug prices. Drug prices play a major role in health care decisions of Oregonians, and the cost of prescription drugs have steadily increased. The department wants to hear your stories about the costs of prescription drugs and how it has affected you and your family. The previous testimonials are available on our website.

Insurance Commissioner Andrew Stolfi will facilitate the hearing, and staff will discuss highlights and recommendations from the 2024 Drug Price Transparency Report to the Oregon Legislature.

The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act (ORS 646A.689) directed the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a transparency program to accept reports and disclose certain information from prescription drug manufacturers, health insurance carriers, and consumers on drug prices.

The goal of the program is to provide accountability for prescription drug pricing through the notice and disclosure of specific drug costs and price information from pharmaceutical manufacturers, health insurers, and consumers.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.​​

Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.

The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.

Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.

Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.

The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.

While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. 

Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person. 

For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners  – visit the O[yes] online contest page.

The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.