42 USC 300 - Guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage to certain individuals with prior group coverage

Collapse to view only § 300gg-41. Guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage to certain individuals with prior group coverage

§ 300gg-41. Guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage to certain individuals with prior group coverage
§ 300gg-42. Guaranteed renewability of individual health insurance coverage
§ 300gg-43. Certification of coverage
§ 300gg-44. State flexibility in individual market reforms
§ 300gg-45. Relief for high risk pools
§ 300gg-46. Disclosure to enrollees of individual market coverage

§ 300gg–41. Guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage to certain individuals with prior group coverage

(a) Guaranteed availability

(1) In generalSubject to the succeeding subsections of this section and section 300gg–44 of this title, each health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage (as defined in section 300gg–91(b)(1) of this title) in the individual market in a State may not, with respect to an eligible individual (as defined in subsection (b)) desiring to enroll in individual health insurance coverage—

(A) decline to offer such coverage to, or deny enrollment of, such individual; or

(B) impose any preexisting condition exclusion (as defined in section 2701(b)(1)(A)) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

with respect to such coverage.

(2) Substitution by State of acceptable alternative mechanism

(b) “Eligible individual” definedIn this part, the term “eligible individual” means an individual—

(1)

(A) for whom, as of the date on which the individual seeks coverage under this section, the aggregate of the periods of creditable coverage (as defined in section 2701(c)) 1 is 18 or more months and (B) whose most recent prior creditable coverage was under a group health plan, governmental plan, or church plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with any such plan);

(2) who is not eligible for coverage under (A) a group health plan, (B) part A or part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq., 1395j et seq.], or (C) a State plan under title XIX of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.] (or any successor program), and does not have other health insurance coverage;

(3) with respect to whom the most recent coverage within the coverage period described in paragraph (1)(A) was not terminated based on a factor described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2712(b) 1 (relating to nonpayment of premiums or fraud);

(4) if the individual had been offered the option of continuation coverage under a COBRA continuation provision or under a similar State program, who elected such coverage; and

(5) who, if the individual elected such continuation coverage, has exhausted such continuation coverage under such provision or program.

(1) In generalIn the case of health insurance coverage offered in the individual market in a State in which the State is not implementing an acceptable alternative mechanism under section 300gg–44 of this title, the health insurance issuer may elect to limit the coverage offered under subsection (a) so long as it offers at least two different policy forms of health insurance coverage both of which—

(A) are designed for, made generally available to, and actively marketed to, and enroll both eligible and other individuals by the issuer; and

(B) meet the requirement of paragraph (2) or (3), as elected by the issuer.

For purposes of this subsection, policy forms which have different cost-sharing arrangements or different riders shall be considered to be different policy forms.

(2) Choice of most popular policy forms

(3) Choice of 2 policy forms with representative coverage

(A) In general

(B) Lower-level of coverage described

(i) the actuarial value of the benefits under the coverage is at least 15 percent greater than the actuarial value of the coverage described in subparagraph (B) offered by the issuer in the area involved; and

(ii) the actuarial value of the benefits under the coverage is at least 100 percent but not greater than 120 percent of a weighted average (described in subparagraph (D)).

(D) Weighted average

(4) Election

(5) Assumptions

(d) Special rules for network plans

(1) In generalIn the case of a health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the individual market through a network plan, the issuer may—

(A) limit the individuals who may be enrolled under such coverage to those who live, reside, or work within the service area for such network plan; and

(B) within the service area of such plan, deny such coverage to such individuals if the issuer has demonstrated, if required, to the applicable State authority that—

(i) it will not have the capacity to deliver services adequately to additional individual enrollees because of its obligations to existing group contract holders and enrollees and individual enrollees, and

(ii) it is applying this paragraph uniformly to individuals without regard to any health status-related factor of such individuals and without regard to whether the individuals are eligible individuals.

(2) 180-day suspension upon denial of coverage

(e)2

2 So in original. Two subsecs. (e) have been enacted.

Application of financial capacity limits

(1) In generalA health insurance issuer may deny health insurance coverage in the individual market to an eligible individual if the issuer has demonstrated, if required, to the applicable State authority that—

(A) it does not have the financial reserves necessary to underwrite additional coverage; and

(B) it is applying this paragraph uniformly to all individuals in the individual market in the State consistent with applicable State law and without regard to any health status-related factor of such individuals and without regard to whether the individuals are eligible individuals.

(2) 180-day suspension upon denial of coverage

(e)2 Market requirements

(1) In general

(2) Conversion policies

(f) ConstructionNothing in this section shall be construed—

(1) to restrict the amount of the premium rates that an issuer may charge an individual for health insurance coverage provided in the individual market under applicable State law; or

(2) to prevent a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in the individual market from establishing premium discounts or rebates or modifying otherwise applicable copayments or deductibles in return for adherence to programs of health promotion and disease prevention.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2741, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 111(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1978.)

§ 300gg–42. Guaranteed renewability of individual health insurance coverage

(a) In general

(b) General exceptions

A health insurance issuer may nonrenew or discontinue health insurance coverage of an individual in the individual market based only on one or more of the following:

(1) Nonpayment of premiums

(2) Fraud

(3) Termination of plan

(4) Movement outside service area

(5) Association membership ceases

(1) Particular type of coverage not offered

In any case in which an issuer decides to discontinue offering a particular type of health insurance coverage offered in the individual market, coverage of such type may be discontinued by the issuer only if—

(A) the issuer provides notice to each covered individual provided coverage of this type in such market of such discontinuation at least 90 days prior to the date of the discontinuation of such coverage;

(B) the issuer offers to each individual in the individual market provided coverage of this type, the option to purchase any other individual health insurance coverage currently being offered by the issuer for individuals in such market; and

(C) in exercising the option to discontinue coverage of this type and in offering the option of coverage under subparagraph (B), the issuer acts uniformly without regard to any health status-related factor of enrolled individuals or individuals who may become eligible for such coverage.

(2) Discontinuance of all coverage

(A) In general

Subject to subparagraph (C), in any case in which a health insurance issuer elects to discontinue offering all health insurance coverage in the individual market in a State, health insurance coverage may be discontinued by the issuer only if—

(i) the issuer provides notice to the applicable State authority and to each individual of such discontinuation at least 180 days prior to the date of the expiration of such coverage, and

(ii) all health insurance issued or delivered for issuance in the State in such market are discontinued and coverage under such health insurance coverage in such market is not renewed.

(B) Prohibition on market reentry

(d) Exception for uniform modification of coverage

(e) Application to coverage offered only through associations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2742, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 111(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1982.)

§ 300gg–43. Certification of coverage

The provisions of section 2701(e) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

shall apply to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual market in the same manner as it applies to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in connection with a group health plan in the small or large group market.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2743, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 111(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1983.)

§ 300gg–44. State flexibility in individual market reforms

(a) Waiver of requirements where implementation of acceptable alternative mechanism

(1) In generalThe requirements of section 300gg–41 of this title shall not apply with respect to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market in the State so long as a State is found to be implementing, in accordance with this section and consistent with section 300gg–62(b) of this title, an alternative mechanism (in this section referred to as an “acceptable alternative mechanism”)—

(A) under which all eligible individuals are provided a choice of health insurance coverage;

(B) under which such coverage does not impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to such coverage;

(C) under which such choice of coverage includes at least one policy form of coverage that is comparable to comprehensive health insurance coverage offered in the individual market in such State or that is comparable to a standard option of coverage available under the group or individual health insurance laws of such State; and

(D) in a State which is implementing—

(i) a model act described in subsection (c)(1),

(ii) a qualified high risk pool described in subsection (c)(2), or

(iii) a mechanism described in subsection (c)(3).

(2) Permissible forms of mechanisms

(b) Application of acceptable alternative mechanisms

(1) Presumption

(A) In generalSubject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, a State is presumed to be implementing an acceptable alternative mechanism in accordance with this section as of July 1, 1997, if, by not later than April 1, 1997, the chief executive officer of a State—

(i) notifies the Secretary that the State has enacted or intends to enact (by not later than January 1, 1998, or July 1, 1998, in the case of a State described in subparagraph (B)(ii)) any necessary legislation to provide for the implementation of a mechanism reasonably designed to be an acceptable alternative mechanism as of January 1, 1998,1

1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

(or, in the case of a State described in subparagraph (B)(ii), July 1, 1998); and

(ii) provides the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to review the mechanism and its implementation (or proposed implementation) under this subsection.

(B) Delay permitted for certain States

(i) Effect of delayIn the case of a State described in clause (ii) that provides notice under subparagraph (A)(i), for the presumption to continue on and after July 1, 1998, the chief executive officer of the State by April 1, 1998—(I) must notify the Secretary that the State has enacted any necessary legislation to provide for the implementation of a mechanism reasonably designed to be an acceptable alternative mechanism as of July 1, 1998; and(II) must provide the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to review the mechanism and its implementation (or proposed implementation) under this subsection.

(ii) States described

(2) NoticeIf the Secretary finds, after review of information provided under paragraph (1) and in consultation with the chief executive officer of the State and the insurance commissioner or chief insurance regulatory official of the State, that such a mechanism is not an acceptable alternative mechanism or is not (or no longer) being implemented, the Secretary—

(A) shall notify the State of—

(i) such preliminary determination, and

(ii) the consequences under paragraph (3) of a failure to implement such a mechanism; and

(B) shall permit the State a reasonable opportunity in which to modify the mechanism (or to adopt another mechanism) in a manner so that may be an acceptable alternative mechanism or to provide for implementation of such a mechanism.

(3) Final determination

(4) Limitation on secretarial authority

(5) Future adoption of mechanisms

(1) Adoption of NAIC models

(2) Qualified high risk poolFor purposes of subsection (a)(1)(D)(ii), a “qualified high risk pool” described in this paragraph is a high risk pool that—

(A) provides to all eligible individuals health insurance coverage (or comparable coverage) that does not impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to such coverage for all eligible individuals, and

(B) provides for premium rates and covered benefits for such coverage consistent with standards included in the NAIC Model Health Plan for Uninsurable Individuals Act (as in effect as of

(3) Other mechanismsFor purposes of subsection (a)(1)(D)(iii), a mechanism described in this paragraph—

(A) provides for risk adjustment, risk spreading, or a risk spreading mechanism (among issuers or policies of an issuer) or otherwise provides for some financial subsidization for eligible individuals, including through assistance to participating issuers; or

(B) is a mechanism under which each eligible individual is provided a choice of all individual health insurance coverage otherwise available.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2744, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, § 111(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1984; amended Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, § 605(b)(1), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2942.)

§ 300gg–45. Relief for high risk pools

(a) Seed grants to States

(b) Grants for operational losses

(1) In generalIn the case of a State that has established a qualified high risk pool that—

(A) restricts premiums charged under the pool to no more than 200 percent of the premium for applicable standard risk rates;

(B) offers a choice of two or more coverage options through the pool; and

(C) has in effect a mechanism reasonably designed to ensure continued funding of losses incurred by the State in connection with operation of the pool after the end of the last fiscal year for which a grant is provided under this paragraph;

the Secretary shall provide, from the funds appropriated under paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and (2)(A) of subsection (d) and allotted to the State under paragraph (2), a grant for the losses incurred by the State in connection with the operation of the pool.

(2) AllotmentSubject to paragraph (4), the amounts appropriated under paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and (2)(A) of subsection (d) for a fiscal year shall be allotted and made available to the States (or the entities that operate the high risk pool under applicable State law) that qualify for a grant under paragraph (1) as follows:

(A) An amount equal to 40 percent of such appropriated amount for the fiscal year shall be allotted in equal amounts to each qualifying State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia and that applies for a grant under this subsection.

(B) An amount equal to 30 percent of such appropriated amount for the fiscal year shall be allotted among qualifying States that apply for such a grant so that the amount allotted to such a State bears the same ratio to such appropriated amount as the number of uninsured individuals in the State bears to the total number of uninsured individuals (as determined by the Secretary) in all qualifying States that so apply.

(C) An amount equal to 30 percent of such appropriated amount for the fiscal year shall be allotted among qualifying States that apply for such a grant so that the amount allotted to a State bears the same ratio to such appropriated amount as the number of individuals enrolled in health care coverage through the qualified high risk pool of the State bears to the total number of individuals so enrolled through qualified high risk pools (as determined by the Secretary) in all qualifying States that so apply.

(3) Special rule for pools charging higher premiums

(4) Limitation for territories

(1) In general

(2) BenefitsA State shall use amounts received under a grant under this subsection to provide one or more of the following benefits:

(A) Low-income premium subsidies.

(B) A reduction in premium trends, actual premiums, or other cost-sharing requirements.

(C) An expansion or broadening of the pool of individuals eligible for coverage, such as through eliminating waiting lists, increasing enrollment caps, or providing flexibility in enrollment rules.

(D) Less stringent rules, or additional waiver authority, with respect to coverage of pre-existing conditions.

(E) Increased benefits.

(F) The establishment of disease management programs.

(3) Allotment; limitation

(4) Rule of construction

(d) Funding

(1) Appropriation for fiscal year 2006There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2006—

(A) $15,000,000 to carry out subsection (a); and

(B) $75,000,000, of which, subject to paragraph (4)—

(i) two-thirds of the amount appropriated shall be made available for allotments under subsection (b)(2); and

(ii) one-third of the amount appropriated shall be made available for allotments under subsection (c)(3).

(2) Authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 2007 through 2010There are authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010, of which, subject to paragraph (4)—

(A) two-thirds of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year shall be made available for allotments under subsection (b)(2); and

(B) one-third of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year shall be made available for allotments under subsection (c)(3).

(3) Availability

(4) Reallotment

(5) No entitlement

(e) Applications

(f) Annual report

(g) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Qualified high risk pool

(A)1

1 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.

In general

(2) Standard risk rateThe term “standard risk rate” means a rate—

(A) determined under the State high risk pool by considering the premium rates charged by other health insurers offering health insurance coverage to individuals in the insurance market served;

(B) that is established using reasonable actuarial techniques; and

(3) State

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2745, as added Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 201(b), Aug. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 959; amended Pub. L. 109–172, § 2, Feb. 10, 2006, 120 Stat. 185.)

§ 300gg–46. Disclosure to enrollees of individual market coverage

(a) In general

(b) Disclosure

A health insurance issuer described in subsection (a) shall disclose to an enrollee the amount of direct or indirect compensation provided to an agent or broker for services provided by such agent or broker associated with plan selection and enrollment. Such disclosure shall be—

(1) made prior to the individual finalizing plan selection; and

(2) included on any documentation confirming the individual’s enrollment.

(d) Rulemaking

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2746, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title II, § 202(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2899.)