42 USC 300 - Standards relating to benefits for mothers and newborns

Collapse to view only § 300gg-25. Standards relating to benefits for mothers and newborns

§ 300gg-21. Exclusion of certain plans
§ 300gg-22. Enforcement
§ 300gg-23. Preemption; State flexibility; construction
§ 300gg-25. Standards relating to benefits for mothers and newborns
§ 300gg-26. Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits
§ 300gg-27. Required coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies
§ 300gg-28. Coverage of dependent students on medically necessary leave of absence

§ 300gg–21. Exclusion of certain plans

(a) Limitation on application of provisions relating to group health plans

(1) In general

The requirements of subparts 1 and 2 1

1 See References in Text note below.

and part D shall apply with respect to group health plans only—

(A) subject to paragraph (2), in the case of a plan that is a nonfederal governmental plan, and

(B) with respect to health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan (including such a plan that is a church plan or a governmental plan).

(2) Treatment of non-Federal governmental plans

(A) Election to be excluded

(B) Period of election

An election under subparagraph (A) shall apply—

(i) for a single specified plan year, or

(ii) in the case of a plan provided pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, for the term of such agreement.

An election under clause (i) may be extended through subsequent elections under this paragraph.

Under such an election, the plan shall provide for—

(i) notice to enrollees (on an annual basis and at the time of enrollment under the plan) of the fact and consequences of such election, and

(ii) certification and disclosure of creditable coverage under the plan with respect to enrollees in accordance with section 2701(e).1

(D) Election not applicable to requirements concerning genetic information

(E) Election not applicable

(F) Sunset of election option

(i) In general

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph—

(I) no election described in subparagraph (A) with respect to section 300gg–26 of this title may be made on or after December 29, 2022; and(II) except as provided in clause (ii), no such election with respect to section 300gg–26 of this title expiring on or after the date that is 180 days after December 29, 2022, may be renewed.

(ii) Exception for certain collectively bargained plans

(b) Exception for certain benefits

(1) Limited, excepted benefits

The requirements of subparts 1 and 2 1 and part D shall not apply to any individual coverage or any group health plan (and group health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan) in relation to its provision of excepted benefits described in section 300gg–91(c)(2) of this title if the benefits—

(A) are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance; or

(B) are otherwise not an integral part of the plan.

(2) Noncoordinated, excepted benefits

(A) The benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance.

(B) There is no coordination between the provision of such benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor.

(C) Such benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor or, with respect to individual coverage, under any health insurance coverage maintained by the same health insurance issuer.

(3) Supplemental excepted benefits

(d) Treatment of partnerships

For purposes of this part and part D—

(1) Treatment as a group health plan

(2) Employer

(3) Participants of group health plans

In the case of a group health plan, the term “participant” also includes—

(A) in connection with a group health plan maintained by a partnership, an individual who is a partner in relation to the partnership, or

(B) in connection with a group health plan maintained by a self-employed individual (under which one or more employees are participants), the self-employed individual,

if such individual is, or may become, eligible to receive a benefit under the plan or such individual’s beneficiaries may be eligible to receive any such benefit.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2722, formerly § 2721, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 102(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1967; amended Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, § 604(b)(1), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2940; Pub. L. 110–233, title I, § 102(c), May 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 895; renumbered § 2735, renumbered § 2722, and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(4), 1563(a), (c)(12), formerly § 1562(a), (c)(12), title X, § 10107(a), (b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 264, 268, 911; Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, § 102(a)(3)(B), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2772; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title I, § 1321, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5697.)

§ 300gg–22. Enforcement

(a) State enforcement

(1) State authority

(2) Failure to implement provisions

(b)

(1) LimitationThe provisions of this subsection shall apply to enforcement of a provision (or provisions) of this part or part D only—

(A) as provided under subsection (a)(2); and

(B) with respect to individual health insurance coverage or group health plans that are non-Federal governmental plans.

(2) Imposition of penaltiesIn the cases described in paragraph (1)—

(A) In general

(B) Liability for penaltyIn the case of a failure by—

(i) a health insurance issuer, the issuer is liable for such penalty, or

(ii) a group health plan that is a non-Federal governmental plan which is—(I) sponsored by 2 or more employers, the plan is liable for such penalty, or(II) not so sponsored, the employer is liable for such penalty.

(i) In general

(ii) Considerations in imposition

(iii) Limitations(I) Penalty not to apply where failure not discovered exercising reasonable diligence(II) Penalty not to apply to failures corrected within 30 days

(D) Administrative review

(i) Opportunity for hearing

(ii) Hearing procedure

(E) Judicial review

(i) Filing of action for review

(ii) Certification of administrative record

(iii) Standard for review

(iv) Appeal

(F) Failure to pay assessment; maintenance of action

(i) Failure to pay assessment

(ii) Nonreviewability

(G) Payment of penalties

(3) Enforcement authority relating to genetic discrimination

(A) General rule

(B) Amount

(i) In general

(ii) Noncompliance periodFor purposes of this paragraph, the term “noncompliance period” means, with respect to any failure, the period—(I) beginning on the date such failure first occurs; and(II) ending on the date the failure is corrected.

(i) In generalIn the case of 1 or more failures with respect to an individual—(I) which are not corrected before the date on which the plan receives a notice from the Secretary of such violation; and(II) which occurred or continued during the period involved;

the amount of penalty imposed by subparagraph (A) by reason of such failures with respect to such individual shall not be less than $2,500.

(ii) Higher minimum penalty where violations are more than de minimis

(D) Limitations

(i) Penalty not to apply where failure not discovered exercising reasonable diligence

(ii) Penalty not to apply to failures corrected within certain periodsNo penalty shall be imposed by subparagraph (A) on any failure if—(I) such failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; and(II) such failure is corrected during the 30-day period beginning on the first date the person otherwise liable for such penalty knew, or exercising reasonable diligence would have known, that such failure existed.

(iii) Overall limitation for unintentional failuresIn the case of failures which are due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, the penalty imposed by subparagraph (A) for failures shall not exceed the amount equal to the lesser of—(I) 10 percent of the aggregate amount paid or incurred by the employer (or predecessor employer) during the preceding taxable year for group health plans; or(II) $500,000.

(E) Waiver by Secretary

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2723, formerly § 2722, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 102(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1968; amended Pub. L. 110–233, title I, § 102(a)(5), May 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 891; renumbered § 2736, renumbered § 2723, and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(4), 1563(c)(13), formerly § 1562(c)(13), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 269, 911; Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, § 102(a)(3)(C), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2772.)

§ 300gg–23. Preemption; State flexibility; construction

(a) Continued applicability of State law with respect to health insurance issuers

(1) In general

(2) Continued preemption with respect to group health plans

(b) Special rules in case of portability requirements

(1) In general

(2) Exceptions

Only in relation to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, the provisions of this part do not supersede any provision of State law to the extent that such provision—

(i) substitutes for the reference to “6-month period” in section 2701(a)(1) 1 a reference to any shorter period of time;

(ii) substitutes for the reference to “12 months” and “18 months” in section 2701(a)(2) 1 a reference to any shorter period of time;

(iii) substitutes for the references to “63” days in sections 2701(c)(2)(A) 1 and 2701(d)(4)(A) 1 a reference to any greater number of days;

(iv) substitutes for the reference to “30-day period” in sections 2701(b)(2) 1 and 2701(d)(1) 1 a reference to any greater period;

(v) prohibits the imposition of any preexisting condition exclusion in cases not described in section 2701(d) 1 or expands the exceptions described in such section;

(vi) requires special enrollment periods in addition to those required under section 2701(f) 1; or

(vii) reduces the maximum period permitted in an affiliation period under section 2701(g)(1)(B) 1.

(d) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) State law

(2) State

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2724, formerly § 2723, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 102(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1971; amended Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, § 604(b)(2), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2941; renumbered § 2737, renumbered § 2724, and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(4), 1563(c)(14), formerly § 1562(c)(14), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 269, 911; Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, § 102(a)(3)(D), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2772.)

§ 300gg–25. Standards relating to benefits for mothers and newborns

(a) Requirements for minimum hospital stay following birth

(1) In generalA group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, may not—

(A) except as provided in paragraph (2)—

(i) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child, following a normal vaginal delivery, to less than 48 hours, or

(ii) restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child, following a cesarean section, to less than 96 hours, or

(B) require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or the issuer for prescribing any length of stay required under subparagraph (A) (without regard to paragraph (2)).

(2) Exception

(b) ProhibitionsA group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, may not—

(1) deny to the mother or her newborn child eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan or coverage, solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this section;

(2) provide monetary payments or rebates to mothers to encourage such mothers to accept less than the minimum protections available under this section;

(3) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of an attending provider because such provider provided care to an individual participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section;

(4) provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to an attending provider to induce such provider to provide care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this section; or

(5) subject to subsection (c)(3), restrict benefits for any portion of a period within a hospital length of stay required under subsection (a) in a manner which is less favorable than the benefits provided for any preceding portion of such stay.

(1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a mother who is a participant or beneficiary—

(A) to give birth in a hospital; or

(B) to stay in the hospital for a fixed period of time following the birth of her child.

(2) This section shall not apply with respect to any group health plan, or any health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, which does not provide benefits for hospital lengths of stay in connection with childbirth for a mother or her newborn child.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a group health plan or health insurance issuer from imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing in relation to benefits for hospital lengths of stay in connection with childbirth for a mother or newborn child under the plan (or under health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan), except that such coinsurance or other cost-sharing for any portion of a period within a hospital length of stay required under subsection (a) may not be greater than such coinsurance or cost-sharing for any preceding portion of such stay.

(d) Notice

(e) Level and type of reimbursements

(f) Preemption; exception for health insurance coverage in certain States

(1) In generalThe requirements of this section shall not apply with respect to health insurance coverage if there is a State law (as defined in section 300gg–23(d)(1) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of this title) for a State that regulates such coverage that is described in any of the following subparagraphs:

(A) Such State law requires such coverage to provide for at least a 48-hour hospital length of stay following a normal vaginal delivery and at least a 96-hour hospital length of stay following a cesarean section.

(B) Such State law requires such coverage to provide for maternity and pediatric care in accordance with guidelines established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, or other established professional medical associations.

(C) Such State law requires, in connection with such coverage for maternity care, that the hospital length of stay for such care is left to the decision of (or required to be made by) the attending provider in consultation with the mother.

(2) Construction

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2725, formerly § 2704, as added Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, § 604(a)(3), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2939; renumbered § 2725 and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(2), 1563(c)(3), formerly § 1562(c)(3), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 265, 911.)

§ 300gg–26. Parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits

(a) In general

(1) Aggregate lifetime limitsIn the case of a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits—

(A) No lifetime limit

(B) Lifetime limitIf the plan or coverage includes an aggregate lifetime limit on substantially all medical and surgical benefits (in this paragraph referred to as the “applicable lifetime limit”), the plan or coverage shall either—

(i) apply the applicable lifetime limit both to the medical and surgical benefits to which it otherwise would apply and to mental health and substance use disorder benefits and not distinguish in the application of such limit between such medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits; or

(ii) not include any aggregate lifetime limit on mental health or substance use disorder benefits that is less than the applicable lifetime limit.

(2) Annual limitsIn the case of a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits—

(A) No annual limit

(B) Annual limitIf the plan or coverage includes an annual limit on substantially all medical and surgical benefits (in this paragraph referred to as the “applicable annual limit”), the plan or coverage shall either—

(i) apply the applicable annual limit both to medical and surgical benefits to which it otherwise would apply and to mental health and substance use disorder benefits and not distinguish in the application of such limit between such medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits; or

(ii) not include any annual limit on mental health or substance use disorder benefits that is less than the applicable annual limit.

(3) Financial requirements and treatment limitations

(A) In generalIn the case of a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, such plan or coverage shall ensure that—

(i) the financial requirements applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan (or coverage), and there are no separate cost sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits; and

(ii) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan (or coverage) and there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits.

(B) DefinitionsIn this paragraph:

(i) Financial requirement

(ii) Predominant

(iii) Treatment limitation

(4) Availability of plan information

(5) Out-of-network providers

(6) Compliance program guidance document

(A) In general

(B) Examples illustrating compliance and noncompliance

(i) In generalThe compliance program guidance document required under this paragraph shall provide illustrative, de-identified examples (that do not disclose any protected health information or individually identifiable information) of previous findings of compliance and noncompliance with this section, section 1185a of title 29, or section 9812 of title 26, as applicable, based on investigations of violations of such sections, including—(I) examples illustrating requirements for information disclosures and nonquantitative treatment limitations; and(II) descriptions of the violations uncovered during the course of such investigations.

(ii) Nonquantitative treatment limitations

(iii) Access to additional information regarding complianceIn developing and issuing the compliance program guidance document required under this paragraph, the Secretaries specified in subparagraph (A)—(I) shall enter into interagency agreements with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, and the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury to share findings of compliance and noncompliance with this section, section 1185a of title 29, or section 9812 of title 26, as applicable; and(II) shall seek to enter into an agreement with a State to share information on findings of compliance and noncompliance with this section, section 1185a of title 29, or section 9812 of title 26, as applicable.

(D) Updating the compliance program guidance document

(7) Additional guidance

(A) In general

(B) Disclosure

(i) Guidance for plans and issuers

(ii) Documents for participants, beneficiaries, contracting providers, or authorized representativesThe guidance issued under this paragraph shall include clarifying information and illustrative examples of methods that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage may use to provide any participant, beneficiary, contracting provider, or authorized representative, as applicable, with documents containing information that the health plans or issuers are required to disclose to participants, beneficiaries, contracting providers, or authorized representatives to ensure compliance with this section, section 1185a of title 29, or section 9812 of title 26, as applicable, compliance with any regulation issued pursuant to such respective section, or compliance with any other applicable law or regulation. Such guidance shall include information that is comparative in nature with respect to—(I) nonquantitative treatment limitations for both medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits;(II) the processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors used to apply the limitations described in subclause (I); and(III) the application of the limitations described in subclause (I) to ensure that such limitations are applied in parity with respect to both medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

(C) Nonquantitative treatment limitationsThe guidance issued under this paragraph shall include clarifying information and illustrative examples of methods, processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage may use regarding the development and application of nonquantitative treatment limitations to ensure compliance with this section, section 1185a of title 29, or section 9812 of title 26, as applicable, (and any regulations promulgated pursuant to such respective section), including—

(i) examples of methods of determining appropriate types of nonquantitative treatment limitations with respect to both medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits, including nonquantitative treatment limitations pertaining to—(I) medical management standards based on medical necessity or appropriateness, or whether a treatment is experimental or investigative;(II) limitations with respect to prescription drug formulary design; and(III) use of fail-first or step therapy protocols;

(ii) examples of methods of determining—(I) network admission standards (such as credentialing); and(II) factors used in provider reimbursement methodologies (such as service type, geographic market, demand for services, and provider supply, practice size, training, experience, and licensure) as such factors apply to network adequacy;

(iii) examples of sources of information that may serve as evidentiary standards for the purposes of making determinations regarding the development and application of nonquantitative treatment limitations;

(iv) examples of specific factors, and the evidentiary standards used to evaluate such factors, used by such plans or issuers in performing a nonquantitative treatment limitation analysis;

(v) examples of how specific evidentiary standards may be used to determine whether treatments are considered experimental or investigative;

(vi) examples of how specific evidentiary standards may be applied to each service category or classification of benefits;

(vii) examples of methods of reaching appropriate coverage determinations for new mental health or substance use disorder treatments, such as evidence-based early intervention programs for individuals with a serious mental illness and types of medical management techniques;

(viii) examples of methods of reaching appropriate coverage determinations for which there is an indirect relationship between the covered mental health or substance use disorder benefit and a traditional covered medical and surgical benefit, such as residential treatment or hospitalizations involving voluntary or involuntary commitment; and

(ix) additional illustrative examples of methods, processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors for which the Secretary determines that additional guidance is necessary to improve compliance with this section, section 1185a of title 29, or section 9812 of title 26, as applicable.

(D) Public comment

(8) Compliance requirements

(A) Nonquantitative treatment limitation (NQTL) requirementsIn the case of a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits and that imposes nonquantitative treatment limitations (referred to in this section as “NQTLs”) on mental health or substance use disorder benefits, such plan or issuer shall perform and document comparative analyses of the design and application of NQTLs and, beginning 45 days after December 27, 2020, make available to the applicable State authority (or, as applicable, to the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Health and Human Services), upon request, the comparative analyses and the following information:

(i) The specific plan or coverage terms or other relevant terms regarding the NQTLs and a description of all mental health or substance use disorder and medical or surgical benefits to which each such term applies in each respective benefits classification.

(ii) The factors used to determine that the NQTLs will apply to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical or surgical benefits.

(iii) The evidentiary standards used for the factors identified in clause (ii), when applicable, provided that every factor shall be defined, and any other source or evidence relied upon to design and apply the NQTLs to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical or surgical benefits.

(iv) The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors used to apply the NQTLs to mental health or substance use disorder benefits, as written and in operation, are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors used to apply the NQTLs to medical or surgical benefits in the benefits classification.

(v) The specific findings and conclusions reached by the group health plan or health insurance issuer with respect to the health insurance coverage, including any results of the analyses described in this subparagraph that indicate that the plan or coverage is or is not in compliance with this section.

(B) Secretary request process

(i) Submission upon request

(ii) Additional information

(iii) Required action(I) In generalIn instances in which the Secretary has reviewed the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clause (i), and determined that the group health plan or health insurance issuer is not in compliance with this section, the plan or issuer—(aa) shall specify to the Secretary the actions the plan or issuer will take to be in compliance with this section and provide to the Secretary additional comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) that demonstrate compliance with this section not later than 45 days after the initial determination by the Secretary that the plan or issuer is not in compliance; and(bb) following the 45-day corrective action period under item (aa), if the Secretary makes a final determination that the plan or issuer still is not in compliance with this section, not later than 7 days after such determination, shall notify all individuals enrolled in the plan or applicable health insurance coverage offered by the issuer that the plan or issuer, with respect to such coverage, has been determined to be not in compliance with this section.(II) Exemption from disclosure

(iv) ReportNot later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, and not later than October 1 of each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report that contains—(I) a summary of the comparative analyses requested under clause (i), including the identity of each group health plan or health insurance issuer, with respect to particular health insurance coverage that is determined to be not in compliance after the final determination by the Secretary described in clause (iii)(I)(bb);(II) the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether each group health plan or health insurance issuer submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clause (i) for compliance with this section;(III) for each group health plan or health insurance issuer that did submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clause (i), the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether and why the plan or issuer is in compliance with the requirements under this section;(IV) the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (ii) for each group health plan or health insurance issuer that the Secretary determined did not submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clause (i) for compliance with this section; and(V) the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iii) of the actions each group health plan or health insurance issuer that the Secretary determined is not in compliance with this section must take to be in compliance with this section, including the reason why the Secretary determined the plan or issuer is not in compliance.

(i) In general

(ii) Guidance and regulations

(iii) State

(b) ConstructionNothing in this section shall be construed—

(1) as requiring a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide any mental health or substance use disorder benefits; or

(2) in the case of a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides mental health or substance use disorder benefits, as affecting the terms and conditions of the plan or coverage relating to such benefits under the plan or coverage, except as provided in subsection (a).

(1) Small employer exemption

(2) Cost exemption

(A) In general

(B) Applicable percentageWith respect to a plan (or coverage), the applicable percentage described in this subparagraph shall be—

(i) 2 percent in the case of the first plan year in which this section is applied; and

(ii) 1 percent in the case of each subsequent plan year.

(D) 6-month determinations

(E) Notification

(i) In general

(ii) RequirementA notification to the Secretary under clause (i) shall include—(I) a description of the number of covered lives under the plan (or coverage) involved at the time of the notification, and as applicable, at the time of any prior election of the cost-exemption under this paragraph by such plan (or coverage);(II) for both the plan year upon which a cost exemption is sought and the year prior, a description of the actual total costs of coverage with respect to medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits under the plan; and(III) for both the plan year upon which a cost exemption is sought and the year prior, the actual total costs of coverage with respect to mental health and substance use disorder benefits under the plan.

(iii) ConfidentialityA notification to the Secretary under clause (i) shall be confidential. The Secretary shall make available, upon request and on not more than an annual basis, an anonymous itemization of such notifications, that includes—(I) a breakdown of States by the size and type of employers submitting such notification; and(II) a summary of the data received under clause (ii).

(F) Audits by appropriate agencies

(d) Separate application to each option offered

(e) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—

(1) Aggregate lifetime limit

(2) Annual limit

(3) Medical or surgical benefits

(4) Mental health benefits

(5) Substance use disorder benefits

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2726, formerly § 2705, as added Pub. L. 104–204, title VII, § 703(a), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2947; amended Pub. L. 107–116, title VII, § 701(b), Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2228; Pub. L. 107–313, § 2(b), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2457; Pub. L. 108–197, § 2(b), Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2898; Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 302(c), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1179; Pub. L. 109–151, § 1(b), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2886; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title I, § 115(c), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2941; Pub. L. 110–245, title IV, § 401(c), June 17, 2008, 122 Stat. 1650; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title V, § 512(b), (g)(2), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3885, 3892; renumbered § 2726 and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(2), 1563(c)(4), formerly § 1562(c)(4), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 265, 911; Pub. L. 114–255, div. B, title XIII, § 13001(a), (b), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1278, 1280; Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title II, § 203(a)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2900.)

§ 300gg–27. Required coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies

The provisions of section 1185b of title 29 shall apply to group health plans, and and 1

1 So in original.

health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage, as if included in this subpart.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2727, formerly § 2706, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title IX, § 903(a)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–438; renumbered § 2727 and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(2), 1563(c)(5), formerly § 1562(c)(5), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 266, 911.)

§ 300gg–28. Coverage of dependent students on medically necessary leave of absence

(a) Medically necessary leave of absence

In this section, the term “medically necessary leave of absence” means, with respect to a dependent child described in subsection (b)(2) in connection with a group health plan or individual health insurance coverage, a leave of absence of such child from a postsecondary educational institution (including an institution of higher education as defined in section 1002 of title 20), or any other change in enrollment of such child at such an institution, that—

(1) commences while such child is suffering from a serious illness or injury;

(2) is medically necessary; and

(3) causes such child to lose student status for purposes of coverage under the terms of the plan or coverage.

(b) Requirement to continue coverage

(1) In general

In the case of a dependent child described in paragraph (2), a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer that offers group or individual health insurance coverage, shall not terminate coverage of such child under such plan or health insurance coverage due to a medically necessary leave of absence before the date that is the earlier of—

(A) the date that is 1 year after the first day of the medically necessary leave of absence; or

(B) the date on which such coverage would otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan or health insurance coverage.

(2) Dependent child described

A dependent child described in this paragraph is, with respect to a group health plan or individual health insurance coverage, a beneficiary under the plan who—

(A) is a dependent child, under the terms of the plan or coverage, of a participant or beneficiary under the plan or coverage; and

(B) was enrolled in the plan or coverage, on the basis of being a student at a postsecondary educational institution (as described in subsection (a)), immediately before the first day of the medically necessary leave of absence involved.

(3) Certification by physician

(d) No change in benefits

(e) Continued application in case of changed coverage

If—

(1) a dependent child of a participant or beneficiary is in a period of coverage under a group health plan or individual health insurance coverage, pursuant to a medically necessary leave of absence of the child described in subsection (b);

(2) the manner in which the participant or beneficiary is covered under the plan changes, whether through a change in health insurance coverage or health insurance issuer, a change between health insurance coverage and self-insured coverage, or otherwise; and

(3) the coverage as so changed continues to provide coverage of beneficiaries as dependent children,

this section shall apply to coverage of the child under the changed coverage for the remainder of the period of the medically necessary leave of absence of the dependent child under the plan in the same manner as it would have applied if the changed coverage had been the previous coverage.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2728, formerly § 2707, as added Pub. L. 110–381, § 2(b)(1), Oct. 9, 2008, 122 Stat. 4083; renumbered § 2728 and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1001(2), 1563(c)(6), formerly § 1562(c)(6), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 130, 266, 911.)