SB 1199 - This act allows health carriers to offer limited mandate health insurance policies to persons who have had their employment terminated. In order to qualify for a limited mandate health insurance policy, the person shall have had health insurance coverage under a health benefit plan through an employer for a minimum period of 90 days immediately prior to his or her termination. Applicants shall elect coverage under a limited mandate health insurance policy within 60 days of his or her termination date. The limited mandate health insurance policy shall be offered to the person at similar rates and conditions as if the person had remained in the employer's employ and had continued his or her health insurance coverage through the employer under a basic health benefit plan without the inclusion of any particular state-mandated health benefits. An employer shall not be liable for any portion of the premium associated with the limited mandate health insurance policy. A person may obtain coverage under a limited mandate health insurance policy for a maximum period of 18 months. In offering a limited mandate health insurance policy, the health carrier shall provide written notice to the proposed insured informing the proposed insured that the policy does not contain all of the mandates required to be included in other types of policies. The health carrier shall also provide a list of current state-mandated health benefits to the proposed insured. The health carrier shall provide written notice to the proposed insured that he or she may be eligible for health insurance coverage under the provisions of the federal Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
STEPHEN WITTE