SB 452 - This act holds that whenever a health service corporation or a health maintenance organization submits a policy form to the Director of Insurance, and the Director does not disapprove the form within 45 days (up from 30 days), the form is deemed approved and is not subject to disapproval for 12 months. If during the 12-month period the Director determines that any provision of the policy is contrary to statute, the Director shall notify the health service corporation or HMO of the specific provision that is contrary to statute and may request that it file an amendment within 30 days to modify the provision so that it conforms with the statute.

Upon approval of the amendment by the Director, the health services corporation or HMO shall issue a copy of the amendment to each individual or entity in which the deemed policy form was previously issued. The health services corporation or HMO may issue the conforming amendment to the group contract holder so that it can distribute the amendment to its members or by including a copy of the amendment in the health services corporation's next scheduled mailing to its members. Such amendment have the force and effect as if the amendment was in the original filing or policy (Sections 354.085 and 354.405).

This act is identical to HB 224 (2003) and similar to provisions contained in SB 1061 (2002).
STEPHEN WITTE