Unless it’s an emergency or the patient could be harmed, insurers may require patients to try less involved or intensive treatment first.

All Individual and Small employer group health insurance policies are required to provide mental health services at parity with medical services. Many large group plans cover mental health care services and comply with MHPAEA, but not all are required to do so. Read your policy for details about your coverage. For more information about employer coverage visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-pay-for-treatment/know-what-your-insurance-covers.

Beginning in 2014, all Individual and Small employer health insurance policies must cover mental health and substance use disorder services. However, policies issued prior to 2014, as well as some large group health insurance, do not have to cover mental health/substance use disorder services. In addition, short term and limited benefit policies do not have to include mental health benefits. Refer to your insurance policy for coverage details and limitations.

Parity means parity within your own plan and not parity between plans.

MHPAEA requires that insurers meet mental health parity standards in two areas: quantitative limits and non-quantitative limits.

• Plans must apply comparable financial requirements (such as copay, coinsurance, & deductible) for mental health/substance use disorder and medical surgical care.
• The number of outpatient visits or inpatient days covered must be comparable for mental health/substance use disorder and medical surgical care.  
• Prior authorization requirements for mental health/substance use disorder services must be comparable to or less restrictive than those for medical surgical services.

These standards are applied according to classifications of benefits:

• Inpatient / in-network
• Inpatient / out-of-network
• Outpatient / in-network
• Outpatient / out-of-network
• Emergency care
• Prescription drugs

Parity means that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be comparable but not identical to those for medical surgical. Parity also applies to rules regarding care management (authorization for treatment) and treatment limitations.

 Although benefits may differ across plans, parity requires that the processes related to plan benefit determinations be comparable. The ACA contributed to parity by eliminating annual and lifetime dollar limits for mental health/substance use disorder benefits.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) is a federal law requiring health plans to apply similar financial and treatment limits to mental health/substance use disorder benefits and medical surgical benefits.

We can help clarify the difference between the need for an appeal or a complaint and to whom that request should be investigated by.  For more information read Appeal Vs Complaint. 

We provide information on the various types of insurance, general shopping tips, rates, and reports that can be used to assist in the decisions making process for researching and purchasing insurance.

DIFI regulates insurance companies to comply with requirements to protect consumers and encourage economic development. We work to keep the public informed of any changes, programs, opportunities, and laws that may have an impact here in Arizona.

DIFI is short for the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

The law requiring DIFI to regulate Motor Vehicle Dealers expired on August 6, 2016. You may refer to HB1358 and HB2535. DIFI ceased accepting new license applications and renewals for Motor Vehicle Dealers. If you have any questions regarding your Motor Vehicle Dealer license, please contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division Dealer Services and Licensing at (602) 712-7571 or visiting Dealer License Types on the AZDOT.GOV site. 

No, the DIFI will not accept cash payments.

Yes, DIFI does accept Visa and/or MasterCard payments through the eLicensing portal. Payments are not accepted at the DIFI office.

Once DIFI has reviewed each renewal, if there are items needed to complete the renewal application, the licensee will be contacted via e-mail (mortgage industry will be contacted via NMLS).  Once your renewal has been processed and approved, our website will be updated so that your license will no longer reflect “Renewing”.

Arizona Statutes prohibit the use of the terms “bank” “credit union” or “trust” in a business name unless the business holds a bank, credit union or trust permit issued by DIFI, another state or federal regulator.  Exceptions may be granted when the business does not hold itself out to be a bank, credit union, trust company or savings and loan association.
Send a letter to DIFI, attention to the Financial Institutions division requesting permission for use of the name; include the name of the business and the type of business you plan on conducting in Arizona.  See the following Arizona Revised Statutes for reference: §6-391, §6-509 (B), §6-867. §10-401(3), and §10-1506(A)(3).  

Yes, you can buy a bond for any amount you want as long it is over the statutorily required amount.  You do not need permission from DIFI in this situation.

For the mortgage industry, mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers, commercial mortgage brokers, commercial mortgage bankers, registered exempt persons and loan originators, you will need to submit your application for a license via the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (“NMLS”), telephone number (855) 665-7123.

*** For all other license types, please visit our Licensing page, click on Financial Institution or Finacial Enterprise and the license type you are applying for.  The “Forms and Fee” section will provide you with the information you need to apply for a license.  You may also call 602-771-2800, if you have additional questions. Collection Agencies may apply through NMLS.

All of the financial institutions and enterprises you see listed at the top of this page,  who are transacting business in Arizona and are not exempt by statute must be licensed by DIFI.

Checks should be made payable to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions or DIFI.

Rates are limited on title loans only.  Please see A.R.S. §44-291 for cap information.

You can find the statutes under A.R.S. Title 44, Chapter 2.1.

Licensing Timeframes associated with Sales Finance Companies can be found under the Arizona Administrative Code, Article 1. Section R20-4-107.

DIFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 120 days.    Once DIFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.   See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

At this time, there are no associations in Arizona that have applied for and have been issued a permit to transact business as a state-chartered Savings and Loan Association.   Please call 602-771-2800  if you have any questions.

Arizona Statutes prohibit use of the terms “bank” “credit union” or “trust” in a business name unless the business holds a bank, credit union or trust permit issued by the DIFI, another state or federal regulator.  Exceptions may be granted when the business does not hold itself out to be a bank, credit union, trust company or savings and loan association.
See the instructions and application on the Financial Institutions Division webpage  to request permission for use of the name; include the name of the business and the type of business you plan on conducting in Arizona.  See the following Arizona Revised Statutes for reference: §6-391,§ 10-401(3), and §10-1506(A)(3). 

A non-cash sale is when a dealer sells a motor vehicle with one or more deferred payments or when a dealer assists in finding financing for the buyer

Once your application has been reviewed, you will get notices from NMLS to go to your account/records which you must review for any deficiencies and comply with the requirements made by DIFI.

DIFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 45 days.    Once DIFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.  See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

Anyone in the business of buying loan contracts against a motor vehicle, from a retail seller, or anyone who creates or holds loans against a motor vehicle with an outstanding balance that exceeds $50,000.00.

No

In a cash sale there is no financing taking place, meaning it is cash only with a clear title.  There is no lien against the title.

A Title loan is a personal loan against the title of a motor vehicle. There are caps for the loan amount.  Please see A.R.S. §44-291 for cap information.

DIFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 120 days.    Once DIFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail. See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

Here is a link to help you make amendments: click HERE 

Our state specific requirements are available through NMLS. 

Both the Federal S.A.F.E. Act and our own statutes are very clear, there can be no felony conviction within the last 7 years of the date of the application for licensing or at any time preceding such date of application, if such felony involved an act of fraud, dishonesty, or a breach of trust, or money laundering.  There are no exceptions.

DIFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 120 days.    Once DIFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.  See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

Per Arizona Statutes, your credit report must indicate you have been financially responsible.  DIFI does not use minimum credit scores.   If your credit report shows derogatory credit, including bankruptcy, foreclosure, judgments, or tax liens, you will need to provide an explanation and address how you have been financially responsible.   Provide any documents you feel are needed to support your explanation.  A recent bankruptcy does not necessarily indicate you have not been financially responsible.  Your total credit history will be reviewed.  Once these items have been reviewed, you may be asked to provide further information or documentation to support that you have been financially responsible. 

Go to the DIFI home page, click on “Financial Enterprises”, click on ”Money Transmitters”  and under “Forms and Fees” find the change you want to make.  The license change instructions and application will be on the right hand side of that page.  Follow the instructions, print, complete and return all appropriate forms, documents and fees to DIFI.

DIFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 120 days.    Once DIFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.  See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

Arizona Statutes prohibit use of the terms “bank” “credit union” or “trust” in a business name unless the business holds a bank, credit union or trust permit issued by  DIFI or another state or federal regulator.  Exceptions may be granted when the business does not hold itself out to be a bank, credit union, trust company or savings and loan association.

See the instructions and application on the Financial Institutions Division webpage to request permission for use of the name; include the name of the business and the type of business you plan on conducting in Arizona.  See the following Arizona Revised Statutes for reference: §6-391,§ 10-401(3), and §10-1506(A)(3). 

Submit a copy of the NCUA forms that the applicant files with the National Credit Union Administration; plus any additional information that DIFI may require under State law.  Please refer to Arizona Revised Statutes §§6-501 through 6-595 and the Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-401 for Arizona Law.  You can contact us  at 602-771-2800 or email [email protected] for specific questions on Arizona statutes and rules.

DIFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 60 days.    Once DIFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.  See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

AZDFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 120 days.    Once AZDFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.  See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

Once your application has been reviewed, you will get notices from NMLS to go to your account/records which you must review for any deficiencies and comply with the requirements made by AZDFI.

AZDFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 120 days.    Once AZDFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.  See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

AZDFI shall make a final decision on a COMPLETED application within 45 days.    Once AZDFI has reviewed your application, you will be contacted via e-mail.   See Arizona Administrative Code R20-4-107 licensing time frames.

Arizona Statutes prohibit use of the terms “bank” “credit union” or “trust” in a business name unless the business holds a bank, credit union or trust permit issued by AZDFI or another state or national regulator.  Exceptions may be granted when the business does not hold itself out to be a bank, credit union, trust company or savings and loan association.
See the instructions and application on the Financial Institutions Division webpage to request permission for use of the name; include the name of the business and the type of business you plan on conducting in Arizona.  See the following Arizona Revised Statutes for reference: §6-391,§ 10-401(3), and §10-1506(A)(3). 

Establishing a new state-chartered member bank will require obtaining preliminary approval from AZDFI and the Federal Reserve Board of San Francisco (“FRB-SF”) as well as issuance of deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).  The best place to start is to call the Financial Institution Division of AZDFI and see if a meeting with the Superintendent should be set.  More information on obtaining  new bank organization approval and the applicable forms and fees can be found at www.azdfi.gov by clicking on Financial Institutions; Banks and the Forms and Fees page.