Chapter 199
H.P. 1053 - L.D. 1503
PART F
Sec. F-1. 24-A MRSA §2809-A, sub-§1-B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 156, §4, is further amended to read:
1-B. Notification of availability of individual coverage.
An insurer must shall provide forms to group policyholders , and certificate holders as when required in by subsection 1-A , for the purpose of informing terminating group members of their right to purchase any individual health plan available in this State. An adequate supply of forms must be provided to each group policyholder when the policy is issued and at least annually thereafter after the policy is issued. The superintendent may prescribe the content of the form by routine technical rule pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. The form must include at least the following:A. A statement that all state residents not eligible for Medicare have a right to purchase any individual health plan available in this State;
B. A statement that in order to avoid a gap in coverage, the individual should apply for individual coverage prior to termination of group coverage;
C. A statement that if more than 90 days pass between the time the group coverage ends and the time individual coverage begins, the individual coverage may exclude preexisting conditions for one year; and
D. A statement that information concerning individual coverage is available from the Bureau of Insurance. The bureau's toll-free telephone number must also be provided.