New Jersey-2012-A231-Introduced

An Act concerning health insurance coverage and amending P.L.1992, c.161, P.L.1992, c.162, and P.L.1997, c.146.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2) is amended to read as follows:

1. As used in sections 1 through 15, inclusive, of this act:

"Board" means the board of directors of the program.

"Church plan" has the same meaning given that term under Title I, section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C. s.1002 (33)).

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.

"Community rating" means a rating system in which the premium for all persons covered by a contract is the same, based on the experience of all persons covered by that contract, without regard to age, sex, health status, occupation and geographical location.

"Creditable coverage" means, with respect to an individual, coverage of the individual under any of the following: a group health plan; a group or individual health benefits plan; Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1395 et seq.); Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1396 et seq.), other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under section 1928 of Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1396s); Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. s.1071 et seq.); a medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization; a [State] state health benefits risk pool; a health plan offered under chapter 89 of Title 5, United States Code (5 U.S.C. s.8901 et seq.); a public health plan as defined by federal regulation; and a health benefits plan under section 5(e) of the "Peace Corps Act" (22 U.S.C. s.2504(e)); or coverage under any other type of plan as set forth by the commissioner by regulation.

Creditable coverage shall not include coverage consisting solely of the following: coverage only for accident or disability income insurance, or any combination thereof; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; workers' compensation or similar insurance; automobile medical payment insurance; credit only insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; coverage, as specified in federal regulation, under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to the insurance benefits; and other coverage expressly excluded from the definition of health benefits plan.

"Department" means the Department of Banking and Insurance.

"Dependent" means the spouse, domestic partner as defined in section 3 of P.L.2003, c.246 (C.26:8A-3), civil union partner as defined in section 2 of P.L.2006, c.103 (C.37:1-29), or child of an eligible person, subject to applicable terms of the individual health benefits plan.

"Eligible person" means a person who is a resident who is not eligible to be covered under a group health benefits plan, group health plan, governmental plan, church plan, or Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1395 et seq.).

"Federally defined eligible individual" means an eligible person: (1) for whom, as of the date on which the individual seeks coverage under P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et al.), the aggregate of the periods of creditable coverage is 18 or more months; (2) whose most recent prior creditable coverage was under a group health plan, governmental plan, church plan, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with any such plan; (3) who is not eligible for coverage under a group health plan, Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1395 et seq.), or a State plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1396 et seq.) or any successor program, and who does not have another health benefits plan, or hospital or medical service plan; (4) with respect to whom the most recent coverage within the period of aggregate creditable coverage was not terminated based on a factor relating to nonpayment of premiums or fraud; (5) who, if offered the option of continuation coverage under the COBRA continuation provision or a similar State program, elected that coverage; and (6) who has elected continuation coverage described in (5) above and has exhausted that continuation coverage.

"Financially impaired" means a carrier which, after the effective date of this act, is not insolvent, but is deemed by the commissioner to be potentially unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, or a carrier which is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction.

"Governmental plan" has the meaning given that term under Title I, section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C.s.1002(32)) and any governmental plan established or maintained for its employees by the Government of the United States or by any agency or instrumentality of that government.

"Group health benefits plan" means a health benefits plan for groups of two or more persons.

"Group health plan" means an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in Title I, section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C. s.1002 (1)), to the extent that the plan provides medical care, and including items and services paid for as medical care to employees or their dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise.

"Health benefits plan" means a hospital and medical expense insurance policy; health service corporation contract; hospital service corporation contract; medical service corporation contract; health maintenance organization subscriber contract; or other plan for medical care delivered or issued for delivery in this State. For purposes of this act, health benefits plan shall not include one or more, or any combination of, the following: coverage only for accident, or disability income insurance, or any combination thereof; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; stop loss or excess risk insurance; workers' compensation or similar insurance; automobile medical payment insurance; credit-only insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; and other similar insurance coverage, as specified in federal regulations, under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits. Health benefits plan shall not include the following benefits if they are provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of the plan: limited scope dental or vision benefits; benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based care, or any combination thereof; and such other similar, limited benefits as are specified in federal regulations. Health benefits plan shall not include hospital confinement indemnity coverage if the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health benefits plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, and those benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor. Health benefits plan shall not include the following if it is offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance: Medicare supplemental health insurance as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1395ss(g)(1)); and coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. s.1071 et seq.); and similar supplemental coverage provided to coverage under a group health plan.

"Health status-related factor" means any of the following factors: health status; medical condition, including both physical and mental illness; claims experience; receipt of health care; medical history; genetic information; evidence of insurability, including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence; and disability.

"Individual health benefits plan" means: a. a health benefits plan for eligible persons and their dependents; and b. a certificate issued to an eligible person which evidences coverage under a policy or contract issued to a trust or association, regardless of the situs of delivery of the policy or contract, if the eligible person pays the premium and is not being covered under the policy or contract pursuant to continuation of benefits provisions applicable under federal or State law.

Individual health benefits plan shall not include a certificate issued under a policy or contract issued to a trust, or to the trustees of a fund, which trust or fund is an employee welfare benefit plan, to the extent the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C. s.1001 et seq.) preempts the application of P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et al.) to that plan.

"Medicaid" means the Medicaid program established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).

"Medical care" means amounts paid: (1) for the diagnosis, care, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body; and (2) transportation primarily for and essential to medical care referred to in (1) above.

"Member" means a carrier that issues or has in force health benefits plans in New Jersey. Member shall not include a carrier whose combined average Medicare, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare enrollment represents more than 75% of its average total enrollment for all health benefits plans or whose combined Medicare, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare net earned premium for the two-year calculation period represents more than 75% of its total net earned premium for the two-year calculation period.

"Modified community rating" means a rating system in which the premium for all persons covered under a policy or contract for a specific health benefits plan and a specific date of issue of that plan is the same without regard to sex, health status, occupation, geographical location or any other factor or characteristic of covered persons, other than age.

The rating system shall provide that the premium rate charged by the carrier for the highest rated individual or class of individuals shall not be greater than 350% of the premium rate charged for the lowest rated individual or class of individuals purchasing the same individual health benefits plan. The rate differential among the premium rates charged to individuals covered under the same individual health benefits plans shall be based on the actual or expected experience of persons covered under that plan; provided, however, that the rate differential may also be based upon age. The factors upon which the rate differential is applied shall be consistent with regulations promulgated by the commissioner, which shall include age classifications established, at a minimum, in five-year increments. There may be a reasonable differential among the premium rates charged for different family structure rating tiers within an individual health benefits plan or for different health benefits plans offered by the carrier.

"Net earned premium" means the premiums earned in this State on health benefits plans, less return premiums thereon and dividends paid or credited to policy or contract holders on the health benefits plan business. Net earned premium shall include the aggregate premiums earned on the carrier's insured group and individual business and health maintenance organization business, including premiums from any Medicare, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare contracts with the State or federal government, but shall not include premiums earned from contracts funded pursuant to the "Federal Employee Health Benefits Act of 1959," 5 U.S.C. ss.8901-8914, any excess risk or stop loss insurance coverage issued by a carrier in connection with any self insured health benefits plan, or Medicare supplement policies or contracts.

"NJ FamilyCare" means the NJ FamilyCare Program established pursuant to P.L.2005, c.156 (C.30:4J-8 et al.).

"Non-group person life year" means coverage of a person for 12 months by an individual health benefits plan or conversion policy or contract subject to P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et al.), Medicare cost or risk contract or Medicaid contract.

"Open enrollment" means the offering of an individual health benefits plan to any eligible person on a guaranteed issue basis, pursuant to procedures established by the board.

"Plan of operation" means the plan of operation of the program adopted by the board pursuant to this act.

"Plan sponsor" shall have the meaning given that term under Title I, section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C. s.1002 (16)(B)).

"Preexisting condition" means a condition that, during a specified period of not more than six months immediately preceding the effective date of coverage, had manifested itself in such a manner as would cause an ordinarily prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment, or for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received as to that condition or as to a pregnancy existing on the effective date of coverage.

"Program" means the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage Program established pursuant to this act.

"Resident" means a person whose primary residence is in New Jersey and who is present in New Jersey for at least six months of the calendar year, or, in the case of a person who has moved to New Jersey less than six months before applying for individual health coverage, who intends to be present in New Jersey for at least six months of the calendar year.

"Two-year calculation period" means a two calendar year period, the first of which shall begin January 1, 1997 and end December 31, 1998.

(cf:P.L.2008, c.38, s.9)

2. Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17) is amended to read as follows:

1. As used in this act:

"Actuarial certification" means a written statement by a member of the American Academy of Actuaries or other individual acceptable to the commissioner that a small employer carrier is in compliance with the provisions of section 9 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-25), based upon examination, including a review of the appropriate records and actuarial assumptions and methods used by the small employer carrier in establishing premium rates for applicable health benefits plans.

"Anticipated loss ratio" means the ratio of the present value of the expected benefits, not including dividends, to the present value of the expected premiums, not reduced by dividends, over the entire period for which rates are computed to provide coverage. For purposes of this ratio, the present values must incorporate realistic rates of interest which are determined before federal taxes but after investment expenses.

"Board" means the board of directors of the program.

"Carrier" means any entity subject to the insurance laws and regulations of this State, or subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner, that contracts or offers to contract to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any of the costs of health care services, including an insurance company authorized to issue health insurance, a health maintenance organization, a hospital service corporation, medical service corporation and health service corporation, or any other entity providing a plan of health insurance, health benefits or health services. The term "carrier" shall not include a joint insurance fund established pursuant to State law. For purposes of this act, carriers that are affiliated companies shall be treated as one carrier, except that any insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, or medical service corporation that is an affiliate of a health maintenance organization located in New Jersey or any health maintenance organization located in New Jersey that is affiliated with an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, or medical service corporation shall treat the health maintenance organization as a separate carrier.

"Church plan" has the same meaning given that term under Title I, section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C.s.1002(33)).

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.

"Community rating" or "community rated" means a rating methodology in which the premium charged by a carrier for all persons covered by a policy or contract form is the same based upon the experience of the entire pool of risks covered by that policy or contract form without regard to age, gender, health status, residence or occupation.

"Creditable coverage" means, with respect to an individual, coverage of the individual under any of the following: a group health plan; a group or individual health benefits plan; Part A or part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1395 et seq.); Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1396 et seq.), other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under section 1928 of Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1396s); chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. s.1071 et seq.); a medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization; a state health benefits risk pool; a health plan offered under chapter 89 of Title 5, United States Code (5 U.S.C. s.8901 et seq.); a public health plan as defined by federal regulation; a health benefits plan under section 5(e) of the "Peace Corps Act" (22 U.S.C. s.2504(e)); or coverage under any other type of plan as set forth by the commissioner by regulation.

"Department" means the Department of Banking and Insurance.

"Dependent" means the spouse, domestic partner as defined in section 3 of P.L.2003, c.246 (C.26:8A-3), civil union partner as defined in section 2 of P.L.2006, c.103 (C.37:1-29), or child of an eligible employee, subject to applicable terms of the health benefits plan covering the employee.

"Eligible employee" means a full-time employee who works a normal work week of 25 or more hours. The term includes a sole proprietor, a partner of a partnership, or an independent contractor, if the sole proprietor, partner, or independent contractor is included as an employee under a health benefits plan of a small employer, but does not include employees who work less than 25 hours a week, work on a temporary or substitute basis or are participating in an employee welfare arrangement established pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.

"Enrollment date" means, with respect to a person covered under a health benefits plan, the date of enrollment of the person in the health benefits plan or, if earlier, the first day of the waiting period for such enrollment.

"Financially impaired" means a carrier which, after the effective date of this act, is not insolvent, but is deemed by the commissioner to be potentially unable to fulfill its contractual obligations or a carrier which is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction.

"Group health plan" means an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in Title I of section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C. s.1002(1)), to the extent that the plan provides medical care and including items and services paid for as medical care to employees or their dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement or otherwise.

"Health benefits plan" means any hospital and medical expense insurance policy or certificate; health, hospital, or medical service corporation contract or certificate; or health maintenance organization subscriber contract or certificate delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any carrier to a small employer group pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-19). For purposes of this act, "health benefits plan" shall not include one or more, or any combination of, the following: coverage only for accident or disability income insurance, or any combination thereof; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; workers' compensation or similar insurance; automobile medical payment insurance; credit-only insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; and other similar insurance coverage, as specified in federal regulations, under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits. Health benefits plan shall not include the following benefits if they are provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of the plan: limited scope dental or vision benefits; benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based care, or any combination thereof; and such other similar, limited benefits as are specified in federal regulations. Health benefits plan shall not include hospital confinement indemnity coverage if the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health benefits plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, and those benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor. Health benefits plan shall not include the following if it is offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance: Medicare supplemental health insurance as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1395ss(g)(1)); and coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. s.1071 et seq.); and similar supplemental coverage provided to coverage under a group health plan.

"Late enrollee" means an eligible employee or dependent who requests enrollment in a health benefits plan of a small employer following the initial minimum 30-day enrollment period provided under the terms of the health benefits plan. An eligible employee or dependent shall not be considered a late enrollee if the individual: a. was covered under another employer's health benefits plan at the time he was eligible to enroll and stated at the time of the initial enrollment that coverage under that other employer's health benefits plan was the reason for declining enrollment, but only if the plan sponsor or carrier required such a statement at that time and provided the employee with notice of that requirement and the consequences of that requirement at that time; b. has lost coverage under that other employer's health benefits plan as a result of termination of employment or eligibility, reduction in the number of hours of employment, involuntary termination, the termination of the other plan's coverage, death of a spouse, or divorce or legal separation; and c. requests enrollment within 90 days after termination of coverage provided under another employer's health benefits plan. An eligible employee or dependent also shall not be considered a late enrollee if the individual is employed by an employer which offers multiple health benefits plans and the individual elects a different plan during an open enrollment period; the individual had coverage under a COBRA continuation provision and the coverage under that provision was exhausted and the employee requests enrollment not later than 30 days after the date of exhaustion of COBRA coverage; or if a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered coverage to be provided for a spouse or minor child under a covered employee's health benefits plan and request for enrollment is made within 30 days after issuance of that court order.

"Member" means all carriers issuing health benefits plans in this State on or after the effective date of this act.

"Multiple employer arrangement" means an arrangement established or maintained to provide health benefits to employees and their dependents of two or more employers, under an insured plan purchased from a carrier in which the carrier assumes all or a substantial portion of the risk, as determined by the commissioner, and shall include, but is not limited to, a multiple employer welfare arrangement, or MEWA, multiple employer trust or other form of benefit trust.

"Plan of operation" means the plan of operation of the program including articles, bylaws and operating rules approved pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-30).

"Plan sponsor" has the meaning given that term under Title I of section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 U.S.C.s.1002(16)(B)).

"Preexisting condition exclusion" means, with respect to coverage, a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to a condition based on the fact that the condition was present before the date of enrollment for that coverage, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before that date. Genetic information shall not be treated as a preexisting condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to that information.

"Program" means the New Jersey Small Employer Health Benefits Program established pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-28).

"Small employer" means, in connection with a group health plan with respect to a calendar year and a plan year, any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or political subdivision that is actively engaged in business that employed an average of at least two but not more than 50 eligible employees on business days during the preceding calendar year and who employs at least two employees on the first day of the plan year, and the majority of the employees are employed in New Jersey. All persons treated as a single employer under subsection (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.s.414) shall be treated as one employer. Subsequent to the issuance of a health benefits plan to a small employer and for the purpose of determining continued eligibility, the size of a small employer shall be determined annually. Except as otherwise specifically provided, provisions of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.) that apply to a small employer shall continue to apply at least until the plan anniversary following the date the small employer no longer meets the requirements of this definition. In the case of an employer that was not in existence during the preceding calendar year, the determination of whether the employer is a small or large employer shall be based on the average number of employees that it is reasonably expected that the employer will employ on business days in the current calendar year. Any reference in P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.) to an employer shall include a reference to any predecessor of such employer.

"Small employer carrier" means any carrier that offers health benefits plans covering eligible employees of one or more small employers.

"Small employer health benefits plan" means a health benefits plan for small employers approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-33).

"Stop loss" or "excess risk insurance" means an insurance policy designed to reimburse a self-funded arrangement of one or more small employers for catastrophic, excess or unexpected expenses, wherein neither the employees nor other individuals are third party beneficiaries under the insurance policy. In order to be considered stop loss or excess risk insurance for the purposes of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.), the policy shall establish a per person attachment point or retention or aggregate attachment point or retention, or both, which meet the following requirements:

a. If the policy establishes a per person attachment point or retention, that specific attachment point or retention shall not be less than $20,000 per covered person per plan year; and

b. If the policy establishes an aggregate attachment point or retention, that aggregate attachment point or retention shall not be less than 125% of expected claims per plan year.

"Supplemental limited benefit insurance" means insurance that is provided in addition to a health benefits plan on an indemnity non-expense incurred basis.

(P.L.2008, c.38, s.20)

3. Section 14 of P.L.1997, c.146 (C.17B:27-54) is amended to read as follows:

14. The provisions of sections 14 through 27 of P.L.1997, c.146 (C.17B:27-54 through C.17B:27-67) shall apply to group health insurance coverage that is not subject to the provisions of P.L.1992, c.161 and c.162 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq. and 17B:27A-17 et seq.). To the extent that any provision of sections 14 through 27 of P.L.1997, c.146 (C.17B:27-54 through C.17B:27-67) is inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 27 of Title 17B of the New Jersey Statutes and P.L.1973, c.337 (C.26:2J-1 et seq.), the provisions of sections 14 through 27 shall supersede those laws.

As used in sections 14 through 27 of P.L.1997, c.146 (C.17B:27-54 through C.17B:27-67):

"Affiliation period" means a period which, under the terms of the group health plan offered by a health maintenance organization, begins on the enrollment date and which must expire before the health insurance becomes effective. The health maintenance organization shall not be required to provide health care services or benefits during such period and no premium shall be charged.

"Creditable coverage" means, with respect to an individual, coverage of the individual, other than coverage of excepted benefits, under any of the following: a group health plan; health insurance coverage; Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1395 et seq.); Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1396 et seq.); other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under section 1928 of Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.s.1396s); chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. s.1071 et seq.); a medical care program of the Indian Health Service of a tribal organization; a [State] state health benefits risk pool; a [State] health plan offered under chapter 89 of Title 5, United States Code (5 U.S.C. s.8901 et seq.); a public health plan; and a health benefits plan under section 5(e) of the "Peace Corps Act" (22 U.S.C.s.2504(e)).

"Enrollment date" means, with respect to an individual covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage, the date of enrollment of the individual in the plan or coverage or, if earlier, the first day of the waiting period for enrollment.

"Excepted benefits" means:

a. coverage only for accident or disability income insurance, or any combination thereof; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; workers compensation or similar insurance; automobile medical payment insurance; credit-only insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; and other similar insurance coverage, as specified by federal regulation, under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits;

b. when provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance or otherwise not an integral part of the group health plan: limited scope dental or vision benefits, benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based care, or any combination thereof, and such other similar, limited benefits as are specified by federal regulation;

c. when offered as independent, noncoordinated benefits: hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance;

d. when offered as a separate insurance policy, certificate or contract of insurance: Medicare supplemental insurance as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1395ss(g)(1))and coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq.) and similar supplemental coverage provided in addition to coverage under a group health plan.

"Group health plan" means an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in Title 1 of section 3 of Pub.L.93-406, the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974," (29 U.S.C. s.1002(1)), to the extent that the plan provides medical care and including items and services paid for as medical care to employees or their dependents, as defined under the terms of the plan, directly or through insurance, reimbursement or otherwise.

"Health insurance coverage" means benefits consisting of medical care, provided directly, through insurance or reimbursement, or otherwise, and including items and services paid for as medical care, under any hospital or medical expense policy or certificate or health maintenance organization contract offered by a health insurer.

"Health insurer" means an insurer licensed to sell health insurance pursuant to Title 17B of the New Jersey Statutes, a health, hospital or medical service corporation, fraternal benefit association or a health maintenance organization.

"Health status-related factor" means: health status; medical condition, including both physical and mental illness; claims experience; receipt of health care; medical history; genetic information; evidence of insurability, including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence; and disability.

"Health maintenance organization" means a federally qualified health maintenance organization as defined in the "Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973," Pub.L.93-222 (42 U.S.C. s.300e et seq.), an organization authorized under P.L.1973, c.337 (C.26:2J-1 et seq.), or a similar organization regulated under State law for solvency in the same manner and to the same extent as a health maintenance organization authorized to do business in this State.

"Late enrollee" means a participant or beneficiary who enrolls in a group health plan other than during: the first period during which the individual is eligible to enroll in the plan; or a special enrollment period.

"Network plan" means a group health plan offered by a health insurer under which the financing and delivery of medical care, including items and services paid for as medical care, are provided, in whole or in part, through a defined set of providers under contract with the insurer. Network plan includes a health maintenance organization or health insurance company with selective contracting arrangements.

"Preexisting condition" means with respect to coverage, a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to a condition based on the fact that the condition was present before the date of enrollment for that coverage, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received before that date.

"Waiting period" means with respect to a group health plan and an individual who is a potential participant or beneficiary in the plan, the period that must pass with respect to the individual before the individual is eligible to be covered for benefits under the terms of the plan.

(P.L.1997, c.146, s.14)

4. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill makes a technical correction to the definition of "creditable coverage" in the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and the New Jersey Small Employer Health Benefits programs and the law concerning larger group insurance plans to comply with federal law.