Brief ⁽¹⁾

SB 101 relates to coverage of certain individuals under group health insurance plans. The bill clarifies that an individual who is confined in a hospital or otherwise disabled at the time the individual's group health insurance is terminated, must be enrolled by the replacement policy for the group at the same time others eligible for coverage under the replacement plan receive coverage. The coverage must be extended without any gap in coverage from the prior to the replacement coverage.

Background

SB 101 was requested by the Insurance Commissioner whose representative explained that this technical change is necessary in order for the state to be in compliance with the requirements of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA).

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi