Michigan Administrative Code Department - Insurance and Financial Services
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Michigan Administrative Code under the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS):
📘 About the Department of Insurance and Financial Services
The Department of Insurance and Financial Services, created via Executive Reorganization Order No. 2013‑1 (effective March 19, 2013), consolidated the functions of the former Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation under one Department led by a Director appointed by the Governor. It oversees insurance regulation, banking, credit unions, and consumer financial services in Michigan (legislature.mi.gov).
📜 Scope of Code (MI Admin Code under DIFS)
DIFS administers two broad categories of regulations:
1. Insurance (R 500.x)
These rules cover everything from licensing to policy standards, including:
Licensing and moral character requirements (R 500.1–.6, .21–.25) (michigan.gov, ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Pharmacy Benefit Manager regulations (R 500.31–.35) (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Utilization Review processes (R 500.61–.69) (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Regulations on holding companies, captive insurers, life reserves, no-fault fee schedules, surprise billing, underwriting, advertising, replacement life policy standards, variable life policies, and more (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Notable chapters:
Utilization Review (R 500.61–.69): Guidelines for authorizations, reviews, appeals, and reporting; current through March 15, 2025
Replacement of Life Insurance Policies: Standards for replacing coverage (regulations.justia.com)
Variable Life Insurance (R 500.849): Policy structure, charges, and cash-value calculations (regulations.justia.com)
2. Financial Institutions (R 445.x, R 451.x, R 487.x, R 493.x)
These address regulation and licensing of banks, mortgage practices, debt management, and other lender types:
Mortgage lending (R 445.1001–.1038) (legislature.mi.gov, ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Debt management firms (R 451.1221–.1246) (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Deferred presentment (“payday”) loans (R 487.2121–.2123) (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Regulatory loan licensees (e.g., small-dollar lenders) (R 493.1–.95) (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
📝 How to Access the Full Text
Michigan ARS Public interactive database: filter by Department = “Insurance and Financial Services” (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Michigan.gov – DIFS Legal page: includes current rule texts and bulletins (michigan.gov)
Justia / Cornell / Casetext: versions of key rules with updates through 2025 (casetext.com)
🔍 Quick Reference Summary
Category
Rule Range
Key Topics
Insurance
R 500.1–.997
Licensing, policy standards, reviews, no-fault, surprise billing, and variable life
Mortgage Lending
R 445.1001–.1038
Licensing, disclosures, fair practices
Debt Management
R 451.1221–.1246
Operation of firms assisting with debt repayment
Payday Loans
R 487.2121–.2123
Requirements for deferred presentment industry
Regulatory Loan Licensees
R 493.1–.95
Lender records, disclosures, business operations
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