§ 38a-476a — Compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Guaranteed renewability. Discrimination based on health status, newborns' and mothers' health prohibited. Parity of mental health benefits. Disclosure of information for employers. Construction. Application. Regulations.

(a) Each insurance company, fraternal benefit society, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation and health care center shall comply with sections 2742, 2743, and 2747 of the Public Health Service Act, as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191), as amended from time to time, concerning guaranteed renewability of individual health insurance coverage and certification of coverage. (b) Each insurance company, fraternal benefit society, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation and health care center shall comply with sections 2702, 2704, 2705 and 2712 of the Public Health Service Act, as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191 and 104-204), as amended from time to time, concerning discrimination based on health status, newborns' and mothers' health, parity of mental health benefits and guaranteed renewability of coverage for employers in the group market, with respect to health insurance coverage offered in the small and large group markets as defined in said Public Health Service Act. (c) Each insurance company, fraternal benefit society, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation and health care center shall comply with sections 2711 and 2713 of the Public Health Service Act, as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191), as amended from time to time, concerning guaranteed availability and disclosure of information for employers with respect to health insurance coverage offered in the small group market as defined in said Public Health Service Act. (d) No provision of the general statutes concerning a requirement in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191), as amended from time to time, shall be construed to supersede any other provision of the general statutes except to the extent that such other provision prevents the application of a requirement of said act. (e) This section shall apply to insurance companies, fraternal benefit societies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations and health care centers on and after the dates specified in the Public Health Service Act, as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, (P.L. 104-191 and 104-204), as amended from time to time. (f) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section and the provisions of the Public Health Service Act, as set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended from time to time.

Legislative History

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 66, 88; P.A. 17-15, S. 42.) History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 17-15 made technical changes.