text:
(a) (1) This section shall apply to Medicare Select policies and certificates, as defined in this section.

(2) A policy or certificate shall not be advertised as a Medicare Select policy or certificate unless it meets the requirements of this section.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Appeal” means dissatisfaction expressed in writing by an individual insured under a Medicare Select policy or certificate with the administration, claims practices, or provision of services concerning a Medicare Select issuer or its network providers.

(2) “Complaint” means any dissatisfaction expressed by an individual concerning a Medicare Select issuer or its network providers.

(3) “Medicare Select issuer” means an issuer offering, seeking to offer, advertising, marketing, soliciting, or issuing a Medicare Select policy or certificate.

(4) “Medicare Select policy” or “Medicare Select certificate” means respectively a Medicare supplement policy or certificate that contains restricted network provisions.

(5) “Network provider” means a provider of health care, or a group of providers of health care, which has entered into a written agreement with the issuer or other entity to provide benefits insured under a Medicare Select policy.

(6) “Restricted network provision” means any provision that conditions the payment of benefits, in whole or in part, on the use of network providers.

(7) “Service area” means the geographic area approved by the commissioner within which an issuer is authorized to offer a Medicare Select policy.

(8) “Grievance” means a written complaint registered by an individual for resolution under the formal grievance procedure, which may involve, but is not limited to, the administration, claims practices, or provision of services by the issuer or its network providers.

(9) “Medicare Select coverage” means Medicare supplement coverage through a preferred provider organization or any other type of restricted network, which coverage has been approved by the commissioner under this section.

(10) “Preferred provider organization” means a health care provider or an entity contracting with health care providers that (A) establishes alternative or discounted rates of payment, (B) offers the insureds certain advantages for selecting the member providers, or (C) withholds from the insureds certain advantages if they choose providers other than the member providers. Organizations regulated as Medicare Select include, but are not limited to, provider groups, hospital marketing plans, and organizations that are formed or operated by insurers or third-party administrators.

(c) The commissioner may authorize an issuer to offer a Medicare Select policy or certificate pursuant to this section if the commissioner finds that the issuer has satisfied all of the requirements of this section.

(d) A Medicare Select issuer shall not issue a Medicare Select policy or certificate in this state until its plan of operation has been approved by the commissioner.

(e) A Medicare Select issuer shall file a proposed plan of operation with the commissioner in a format prescribed by the commissioner. The plan of operation shall contain at least the following information:

(1) Evidence that all covered services that are subject to restricted network provisions are available and accessible through network providers, including a demonstration of all of the following:

(A) That services can be provided by network providers with reasonable promptness with respect to geographic location, hours of operation, and afterhour care. The hours of operation and availability of afterhour care shall reflect usual practice in the local area. Geographic availability shall reflect the usual travel times within the community.

(B) That the number of network providers in the service area is sufficient, with respect to current and expected policyholders, as to either of the following:

(i) To deliver adequately all services that are subject to a restricted network provision.

(ii) To make appropriate referrals.

(C) There are written agreements with network providers describing specific responsibilities.

(D) Emergency care is available 24 hours per day and seven days per week.

(E) In the case of covered services that are subject to a restricted network provision and are provided on a prepaid basis, that there are written agreements with network providers prohibiting the providers from billing or otherwise seeking reimbursement from or recourse against any individual insured under a Medicare Select policy or certificate.

This subparagraph shall not apply to supplemental charges or coinsurance amounts as stated in the Medicare Select policy or certificate.

(2) A statement or map providing a clear description of the service area.

(3) A description of the appeal or grievance procedure to be utilized.

(4) A description of the quality assurance program, including all of the following:

(A) The formal organizational structure.

(B) The written criteria for selection, retention, and removal of network providers.

(C) The procedures for evaluating quality of care provided by network providers, and the process to initiate corrective action when warranted.

(5) A list and description, by specialty, of the network providers.

(6) Copies of the written information proposed to be used by the issuer to comply with subdivision (i).

(7) Any other information requested by the commissioner.

(f) (1) A Medicare Select issuer shall file any proposed changes to the plan of operation, except for changes to the list of network providers, with the commissioner prior to implementing the changes. Changes shall be considered approved by the commissioner after 30 days unless specifically disapproved.

(2) An updated list of network providers shall be filed at the commissioner’s request, but at least quarterly.

(g) A Medicare Select policy or certificate shall not restrict payment for covered services provided by nonnetwork providers if:

(1) The services are for symptoms requiring emergency care or are immediately required for an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition.

(2) It is not reasonable to obtain services through a network provider.

(h) A Medicare Select policy or certificate shall provide payment for full coverage under the policy for covered services that are not available through network providers.

(i) A Medicare Select issuer shall make full and fair disclosure in writing of the provisions, restrictions, and limitations of the Medicare Select policy or certificate to each applicant. This disclosure shall include at least the following:

(1) An outline of coverage sufficient to permit the applicant to compare the coverage and premiums of the Medicare Select policy or certificate with both of the following:

(A) Other Medicare supplement policies or certificates offered by the issuer.

(B) Other Medicare Select policies or certificates.

(2) A description, including address, telephone number, and hours of operation, of the network providers, including primary care physicians, specialty physicians, hospitals, and other providers.

(3) A description of the restricted network provisions, including payments for coinsurance and deductibles when providers other than network providers are utilized. The description shall inform the applicant that expenses incurred when using out-of-network providers are excluded from the out-of-pocket annual limit in benefit plans K and L, unless the policy or certificate provides otherwise.

(4) A description of coverage for emergency and urgently needed care and other out-of-service area coverage.

(5) A description of limitations on referrals to restricted network providers and to other providers.

(6) A description of the policyholder’s or certificate holder’s rights to purchase any other Medicare supplement policy or certificate otherwise offered by the issuer.

(7) A description of the Medicare Select issuer’s quality assurance, grievance, and appeal procedure.

(j) Prior to the sale of a Medicare Select policy or certificate, a Medicare Select issuer shall obtain from the applicant a signed and dated form stating that the applicant has received the information provided pursuant to subdivision (i) and that the applicant understands the restrictions of the Medicare Select policy or certificate. Acknowledgments shall be maintained by the insurer for at least five years in accordance with Section 10508.

(k) A Medicare Select issuer shall have and use procedures for hearing complaints and resolving written appeals and grievances from the insureds. The procedures shall be aimed at mutual agreement for settlement and may include arbitration procedures.

(1) The appeal and grievance procedure shall be described in the policy and certificates and in the outline of coverage.

(2) At the time the policy or certificate is issued, the issuer shall provide detailed information to the policyholder or certificate holder describing how an appeal or grievance may be registered with the issuer.

(3) Appeals or grievances shall be considered in a timely manner and shall be transmitted to appropriate fiduciaries who have authority to fully investigate the issue and take corrective action.

(4) If an appeal or grievance is found to be valid, corrective action shall be taken promptly.

(5) All concerned parties shall be notified about the results of an appeal or grievance.

(6) The issuer shall report no later than each March 31st to the commissioner regarding its appeal or grievance procedure. The report shall be in a format prescribed by the commissioner and shall contain the number of appeals or grievances filed in the past year and a summary of the subject, nature, and resolution of those appeals or grievances.

(7) Detailed information describing in writing how to register an appeal or grievance shall be provided to the insured prior to, or simultaneously with, the issuance of the policy or certificate.

(8) The issuer shall maintain records of each appeal or grievance for at least five years.

(l) At the time of initial purchase, a Medicare Select issuer shall make available to each applicant for a Medicare Select policy or certificate the opportunity to purchase any Medicare supplement policy or certificate otherwise offered by the issuer.

(m) (1) At the request of an individual insured under a Medicare Select policy or certificate, a Medicare Select issuer shall make available to the individual insured the opportunity to purchase a Medicare supplement policy or certificate offered by the issuer that has comparable or lesser benefits and that does not contain a restricted network provision. The issuer shall make the policies or certificates available without requiring evidence of insurability after the Medicare Select policy or certificate has been in force for six months, unless the replacement policy or certificate includes at-home recovery benefits that were not included in the Medicare Select coverage.

(2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a Medicare supplement policy or certificate will be considered to have comparable or lesser benefits unless it contains one or more significant benefits not included in the Medicare Select policy or certificate being replaced. For the purposes of this paragraph, a significant benefit means coverage for the Medicare Part A deductible, coverage for at-home recovery services, or coverage for Medicare Part B excess charges.

(n) Medicare Select policies and certificates shall provide for continuation of coverage in the event the commissioner determines that Medicare Select policies and certificates issued pursuant to this section should be discontinued due to either the failure of the Medicare Select program to be reauthorized under law or its substantial amendment.

(1) Each Medicare Select issuer shall make available to each individual insured under a Medicare Select policy or certificate the opportunity to purchase any Medicare supplement policy or certificate offered by the issuer that has comparable or lesser benefits and that does not contain a restricted network provision. The issuer shall make the policies and certificates available without requiring evidence of insurability.

(2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a Medicare supplement policy or certificate will be considered to have comparable or lesser benefits unless it contains one or more significant benefits not included in the Medicare Select policy or certificate being replaced. For the purposes of this paragraph, a significant benefit means coverage for the Medicare Part A deductible, coverage for at-home recovery services, or coverage for Medicare Part B excess charges.

(o) A Medicare Select issuer shall comply with reasonable requests for data made by state or federal agencies, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of evaluating the Medicare Select program.

(p) The commissioner may grant special Medicare Select status to plans of guaranteed renewable Medicare supplement coverage provided through a preferred provider organization, which plans were offered to the public or in force before the effective date of this section, if the commissioner determines that the applicants will receive benefits and consumer protections that are substantially equivalent to those in other Medicare Select plans identified in this section, and if the issuer satisfies the following requirements:

(1) The issuer shall apply within one year of the effective date of this section by submitting to the commissioner the following items:

(A) The current plan of operation as defined in subdivision (e).

(B) If the written disclosures of subdivision (i) have not been delivered to each applicant as required, the issuer’s plan to accomplish full disclosure to every insured and to achieve substantial compliance with subdivision (j).

(C) The issuer’s statement of intent to comply with subdivision (f).

(D) If the plan of operation does not comply with the standards of subdivision (g), (h), (k), (l), or (m), the issuer’s plan for achieving substantial compliance with these subdivisions for every insured.

(2) The issuer shall alter the plan as requested by the commissioner in order to bring the plan into substantial compliance with Medicare Select standards.

(3) The issuer shall issue disclosures or other notices to its insureds regarding its status as Medicare Select as ordered by the commissioner.

(4) The issuer shall provide data as provided in subdivision (o).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 206, Sec. 22. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


kind: section

code: INS

text:
(a) (1) An issuer shall not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of any Medicare supplement policy or certificate available for sale in this state, nor discriminate in the pricing of a policy or certificate because of the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of an applicant in the case of an application for a policy or certificate that is submitted prior to or during the six-month period beginning with the first day of the first month in which an individual is both 65 years of age or older and is enrolled for benefits under Medicare Part B. Each Medicare supplement policy and certificate currently available from an issuer shall be made available to all applicants who qualify under this subdivision and who are 65 years of age or older.

(2) (A) An issuer shall make available Medicare supplement benefit plans A, B, C, and F, if currently available, to an applicant who qualifies under this subdivision, who is 64 years of age or younger, and who does not have end-stage renal disease. An issuer shall also make available to those applicants Medicare supplement benefit plan K or L, if currently available, or Medicare supplement benefit plan M or N, if currently available. The selection between Medicare supplement plan K or L and the selection between Medicare supplement benefit plan M or N shall be made at the issuer’s discretion.

(B) For policies sold on or after January 1, 2020, to newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 10192.92, an issuer shall make available Medicare supplement benefit plans A, B, D, and G, if currently available, to applicants who qualify under this subdivision who are 64 years of age or younger and who do not have end-stage renal disease. An issuer shall also make available to those applicants Medicare supplement benefit plan K or L, if currently available, or Medicare supplement benefit plan M or N, if currently available. The selection between Medicare supplement benefit plan K or L and the selection between Medicare supplement benefit plan M or N shall be made at the issuer’s discretion.

(3) This section and Section 10192.12 do not prohibit an issuer in determining premium rates from treating applicants who are under 65 years of age and are eligible for Medicare Part B as a separate risk classification. This section does not prevent the exclusion of benefits for preexisting conditions as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 10192.8 or paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 10192.81.

(b) (1) If an applicant qualifies under subdivision (a) and submits an application during the time period referenced in subdivision (a) and, as of the date of application, has had a continuous period of creditable coverage of at least six months, the issuer shall not exclude benefits based on a preexisting condition.

(2) If the applicant qualifies under subdivision (a) and submits an application during the time period referenced in subdivision (a) and, as of the date of application, has had a continuous period of creditable coverage that is less than six months, the issuer shall reduce the period of any preexisting condition exclusion by the aggregate of the period of creditable coverage applicable to the applicant as of the enrollment date. The manner of the reduction under this subdivision shall be as specified by the commissioner.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (b) and Section 10192.23, subdivision (a) does not prevent the exclusion of benefits under a policy, during the first six months, based on a preexisting condition for which the policyholder or certificate holder received treatment or was otherwise diagnosed during the six months before the coverage became effective.

(d) An individual enrolled in Medicare by reason of disability shall be entitled to open enrollment described in this section for six months after the date of their enrollment in Medicare Part B, or if notified retroactively of their eligibility for Medicare, for six months following notice of eligibility. Every issuer shall make available to every applicant qualified for open enrollment all policies and certificates offered by that issuer at the time of application. An issuer shall not discourage sales during the open enrollment period by any means, including the altering of the commission structure.

(e) (1) An individual enrolled in Medicare Part B is entitled to open enrollment described in this section for six months following:

(A) Receipt of a notice of termination or, if no notice is received, the effective date of termination from any employer-sponsored health plan including an employer-sponsored retiree health plan.

(B) Receipt of a notice of loss of eligibility due to the divorce or death of a spouse or, if no notice is received, the effective date of loss of eligibility due to the divorce or death of a spouse, from any employer-sponsored health plan including an employer-sponsored retiree health plan.

(C) Termination of health care services for a military retiree or the retiree’s Medicare eligible spouse or dependent as a result of a military base closure or loss of access to health care services because the base no longer offers services or because the individual relocates.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “employer-sponsored retiree health plan” includes any coverage for medical expenses, including, but not limited to, coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) and the California Continuation Benefits Replacement Act (Cal-COBRA), that is directly or indirectly sponsored or established by an employer for employees or retirees, their spouses, dependents, or other included insureds.

(f) An individual enrolled in Medicare Part B is entitled to open enrollment described in this section if the individual was covered under a policy, certificate, or contract providing Medicare supplement coverage but that coverage terminated because the individual established residence at a location not served by the plan.

(g) An individual whose coverage was terminated by a Medicare Advantage plan shall be entitled to an additional 60-day open enrollment period to be added on to and run consecutively after any open enrollment period authorized by federal law or regulation, for any Medicare supplement coverage provided by a Medicare supplement issuer and available on a guaranteed basis under state and federal law or regulation for persons terminated by their Medicare Advantage plan.

(h) (1) An individual shall be entitled to an annual open enrollment period lasting 60 days or more, commencing with the individual’s birthday, during which time that person may purchase any Medicare supplement policy that offers benefits equal to or lesser than those provided by the previous coverage. During this open enrollment period, an issuer that falls under this paragraph shall not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of Medicare supplement coverage, nor discriminate in the pricing of coverage, because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of the individual if, at the time of the open enrollment period, the individual is covered under another Medicare supplement policy or contract. An issuer shall notify a policyholder of their rights under this subdivision at least 30 and no more than 60 days before the beginning of the open enrollment period, and on any notice related to a benefit modification or premium adjustment.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, the following provisions apply:

(A) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan A shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan A.

(B) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan B shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan B.

(C) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan C shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan C.

(D) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan D shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan D.

(E) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan E shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare benefit plan D.

(F) (i) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan F shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare benefit plan F.

(ii) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit high deductible plan F shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit high deductible plan F.

(G) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan G shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan G.

(H) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan H shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan D.

(I) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan I shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan G.

(J) (i) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan J shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan F.

(ii) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit high deductible plan J shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit high deductible plan F.

(K) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan K shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan K.

(L) A 1990 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan L shall be deemed to offer benefits equal to those provided by a 2010 standardized Medicare supplement benefit plan L.

(M) New or innovative benefits, as described in subdivision (f) of Section 10192.9 and subdivision (f) of Section 10192.91, shall not be included when determining whether benefits are equal to or lesser than those provided by the previous coverage.

(i) An individual enrolled in Medicare Part B is entitled to open enrollment described in this section upon being notified that, because of an increase in the individual’s income or assets, they meet one of the following requirements:

(1) They are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.

(2) They are only eligible for Medi-Cal benefits with a share of cost and certifies at the time of application that they have not met the share of cost.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 157, Sec. 6) by Stats. 2019, Ch. 549, Sec. 4. (SB 407) Effective January 1, 2020.)

division: 2. CLASSES OF INSURANCE

part: 2. LIFE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE

chapter: 1. The Contract

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies

path: 2. CLASSES OF INSURANCE > 2. LIFE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE > 1. The Contract > 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) (1) With respect to the guaranteed issue of a Medicare supplement policy, eligible persons are those individuals described in subdivision (b) who seek to enroll under the policy during the period specified in subdivision (c), and who submit evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment or enrollment in Medicare Part D with the application for a Medicare supplement policy.

(2) With respect to eligible persons, an issuer shall not take any of the following actions:

(A) Deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of a Medicare supplement policy described in subdivision (e) that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by the issuer.

(B) Discriminate in the pricing of that Medicare supplement policy because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition.

(C) Impose an exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition under that Medicare supplement policy.

(b) An eligible person is an individual described in any of the following paragraphs:

(1) The individual is enrolled under an employee welfare benefit plan that provides health benefits that supplement the benefits under Medicare and either of the following applies:

(A) The plan either terminates or ceases to provide all of those supplemental health benefits to the individual.

(B) The employer no longer provides the individual with insurance that covers all of the payment for the 20-percent coinsurance.

(2) The individual is enrolled with a Medicare Advantage organization under a Medicare Advantage plan under Medicare Part C, and any of the following circumstances apply:

(A) The certification of the organization or plan has been terminated.

(B) The organization has terminated or otherwise discontinued providing the plan in the area in which the individual resides.

(C) The individual is no longer eligible to elect the plan because of a change in the individual’s place of residence or other change in circumstances specified by the secretary. Those changes in circumstances shall not include termination of the individual’s enrollment on the basis described in Section 1851(g)(3)(B) of the federal Social Security Act where the individual has not paid premiums on a timely basis or has engaged in disruptive behavior as specified in standards under Section 1856 of the federal Social Security Act, or the plan is terminated for all individuals within a residence area.

(D) (i) The Medicare Advantage plan in which the individual is enrolled reduces any of its benefits or increases the amount of cost sharing or premium or discontinues for other than good cause relating to quality of care its relationship or contract under the plan with a provider who is currently furnishing services to the individual. An individual shall be eligible under this subparagraph for a Medicare supplement policy issued by the same issuer through which the individual was enrolled at the time the reduction, increase, or discontinuance described above occurs or, commencing January 1, 2007, for one issued by a subsidiary of the parent company of that issuer or by a network that contracts with the parent company of that issuer. If no Medicare supplement policy is available to the individual from the same issuer, a subsidiary of the parent company of the issuer, or a network that contracts with the parent company of the issuer, the individual shall be eligible for a Medicare supplement policy pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) issued by any issuer, if the Medicare Advantage plan in which the individual is enrolled does any of the following:

(I) Increases the premium by 15 percent or more.

(II) Increases physician, hospital, or drug copayments by 15 percent or more.

(III) Reduces any benefits under the plan.

(IV) Discontinues, for other than good cause relating to quality of care, its relationship or contract under the plan with a provider who is currently furnishing services to the individual.

(ii) Enrollment in a Medicare supplement policy from an issuer unaffiliated with the issuer of the Medicare Advantage plan in which the individual is enrolled shall be permitted only during the annual election period for a Medicare Advantage plan, except where the Medicare Advantage plan has discontinued its relationship with a provider currently furnishing services to the individual. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an individual to enroll in a group Medicare supplement policy if the individual does not meet the eligibility requirements for the group.

(E) The individual demonstrates, in accordance with guidelines established by the secretary, either of the following:

(i) The organization offering the plan substantially violated a material provision of the organization’s contract under this article in relation to the individual, including the failure to provide on a timely basis medically necessary care for which benefits are available under the plan or the failure to provide the covered care in accordance with applicable quality standards.

(ii) The organization, or agent or other entity acting on the organization’s behalf, materially misrepresented the plan’s provisions in marketing the plan to the individual.

(F) The individual meets other exceptional conditions as the secretary may provide.

(3) The individual is 65 years of age or older, is enrolled with a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provider under Section 1894 of the federal Social Security Act, and circumstances similar to those described in paragraph (2) exist that would permit discontinuance of the individual’s enrollment with the provider, if the individual were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

(4) The individual meets both of the following conditions:

(A) The individual is enrolled with any of the following:

(i) An eligible organization under a contract under Section 1876 of the federal Social Security Act (Medicare cost).

(ii) A similar organization operating under demonstration project authority, effective for periods before April 1, 1999.

(iii) An organization under an agreement under Section 1833(a)(1)(A) of the federal Social Security Act (health care prepayment plan).

(iv) An organization under a Medicare Select policy.

(B) The enrollment ceases under the same circumstances that would permit discontinuance of an individual’s election of coverage under paragraph (2) or (3).

(5) The individual is enrolled under a Medicare supplement policy, and the enrollment ceases because of any of the following circumstances:

(A) The insolvency of the issuer or bankruptcy of the nonissuer organization, or other involuntary termination of coverage or enrollment under the policy.

(B) The issuer of the policy substantially violated a material provision of the policy.

(C) The issuer, or an agent or other entity acting on the issuer’s behalf, materially misrepresented the policy’s provisions in marketing the policy to the individual.

(6) The individual meets both of the following conditions:

(A) The individual was enrolled under a Medicare supplement policy and terminates enrollment and subsequently enrolls, for the first time, with any Medicare Advantage organization under a Medicare Advantage plan under Medicare Part C, any eligible organization under a contract under Section 1876 of the federal Social Security Act (Medicare cost), any similar organization operating under demonstration project authority, any PACE provider under Section 1894 of the federal Social Security Act, or a Medicare Select policy.

(B) The subsequent enrollment under subparagraph (A) is terminated by the individual during any period within the first 12 months of the subsequent enrollment (during which the enrollee is permitted to terminate the subsequent enrollment under Section 1851(e) of the federal Social Security Act).

(7) The individual upon first becoming eligible for benefits under Medicare Part A at 65 years of age enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan under Medicare Part C or with a PACE provider under Section 1894 of the federal Social Security Act, and disenrolls from the plan or program not later than 12 months after the effective date of enrollment.

(8) The individual while enrolled under a Medicare supplement policy that covers outpatient prescription drugs enrolls in a Medicare Part D plan during the initial enrollment period terminates enrollment in the Medicare supplement policy, and submits evidence of enrollment in Medicare Part D along with the application for a policy described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (e).

(c) (1) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the guaranteed issue period begins on the later of the following two dates and ends on the date that is 63 days after the date the applicable coverage terminates:

(A) The date the individual receives a notice of termination or cessation of all supplemental health benefits or, if no notice is received, the date of the notice denying a claim because of a termination or cessation of benefits.

(B) The date that the applicable coverage terminates or ceases.

(2) In the case of an individual described in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7) of subdivision (b) whose enrollment is terminated involuntarily, the guaranteed issue period begins on the date that the individual receives a notice of termination and ends 63 days after the date the applicable coverage is terminated.

(3) In the case of an individual described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), the guaranteed issue period begins on the earlier of the following two dates and ends on the date that is 63 days after the date the coverage is terminated:

(A) The date that the individual receives a notice of termination, a notice of the issuer’s bankruptcy or insolvency, or other similar notice if any.

(B) The date that the applicable coverage is terminated.

(4) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (2), (3), (6), or (7) of, or in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (5) of, subdivision (b) who disenrolls voluntarily, the guaranteed issue period begins on the date that is 60 days before the effective date of the disenrollment and ends on the date that is 63 days after the effective date of the disenrollment.

(5) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (8) of subdivision (b), the guaranteed issue period begins on the date the individual receives notice pursuant to Section 1882(v)(2)(B) of the federal Social Security Act from the Medicare supplement issuer during the 60-day period immediately preceding the initial enrollment period for Medicare Part D and ends on the date that is 63 days after the effective date of the individual’s coverage under Medicare Part D.

(6) In the case of an individual described in subdivision (b) who is not included in this subdivision, the guaranteed issue period begins on the effective date of disenrollment and ends on the date that is 63 days after the effective date of disenrollment.

(d) (1) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), or deemed to be so described pursuant to this paragraph, whose enrollment with an organization or provider described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) is involuntarily terminated within the first 12 months of enrollment and who, without an intervening enrollment, enrolls with another such organization or provider, the subsequent enrollment shall be deemed to be an initial enrollment described in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b).

(2) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b), or deemed to be so described pursuant to this paragraph, whose enrollment with a plan or in a program described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) is involuntarily terminated within the first 12 months of enrollment and who, without an intervening enrollment, enrolls in another such plan or program, the subsequent enrollment shall be deemed to be an initial enrollment described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b).

(3) For purposes of paragraphs (6) and (7) of subdivision (b), an enrollment of an individual with an organization or provider described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), or with a plan or in a program described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) shall not be deemed to be an initial enrollment under this paragraph after the two-year period beginning on the date on which the individual first enrolled with such an organization, provider, plan, or program.

(e) (1) Under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of subdivision (b), an eligible individual is entitled to a Medicare supplement policy that has a benefit package classified as Plan A, B, C, F (including a high deductible Plan F), K, L, M, or N offered by any issuer.

(2) (A) Under paragraph (6) of subdivision (b), an eligible individual is entitled to the same Medicare supplement policy in which he or she was most recently enrolled, if available from the same issuer. If that policy is not available, the eligible individual is entitled to a Medicare supplement policy that has a benefit package classified as Plan A, B, C, F (including a high deductible Plan F), K, L, M, or N offered by any issuer.

(B) On and after January 1, 2006, an eligible individual described in this paragraph who was most recently enrolled in a Medicare supplement policy with an outpatient prescription drug benefit is entitled to a Medicare supplement policy that is available from the same issuer but without an outpatient prescription drug benefit or, at the election of the individual, has a benefit package classified as a Plan A, B, C, F (including high deductible Plan F), K, L, M, or N that is offered by any issuer.

(3) Under paragraph (7) of subdivision (b), an eligible individual is entitled to any Medicare supplement policy offered by any issuer.

(4) Under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b), an eligible individual is entitled to a Medicare supplement policy that has a benefit package classified as Plan A, B, C, F (including a high deductible Plan F), K, L, M, or N and that is offered and is available for issuance to a new enrollee by the same issuer that issued the individual’s Medicare supplement policy with outpatient prescription drug coverage.

(f) (1) At the time of an event described in subdivision (b) by which an individual loses coverage or benefits due to the termination of a contract or agreement, policy, or plan, the organization that terminates the contract or agreement, the issuer terminating the policy, or the administrator of the plan being terminated, respectively, shall notify the individual of his or her rights under this section and of the obligations of issuers of Medicare supplement policies under subdivision (a). The notice shall be communicated contemporaneously with the notification of termination.

(2) At the time of an event described in subdivision (b) by which an individual ceases enrollment under a contract or agreement, policy, or plan, the organization that offers the contract or agreement, regardless of the basis for the cessation of enrollment, the issuer offering the policy, or the administrator of the plan, respectively, shall notify the individual of his or her rights under this section, and of the obligations of issuers of Medicare supplement policies under subdivision (a). The notice shall be communicated within 10 working days of the date the issuer received notification of disenrollment.

(g) An issuer shall refund any unearned premium that an insured paid in advance and shall terminate coverage upon the request of an insured.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 113. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) An issuer shall comply with Section 1882(c)(3) of the federal Social Security Act (as enacted by Section 4081(b)(2)(C) of the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA), Public Law 100-203) by doing all of the following and by certifying compliance on the Medicare supplement insurance experience reporting form:

(1) Accepting a notice from a Medicare Administrative Contractor, formerly known as a fiscal intermediary or carrier, on dually assigned claims submitted by participating physicians and suppliers as a claim for benefits in place of any other claim form otherwise required and making a payment determination on the basis of the information contained in that notice.

(2) Notifying the participating physician or supplier and the beneficiary of the payment determination.

(3) Paying the participating physician or supplier directly.

(4) Furnishing, at the time of enrollment, each enrollee with a card listing the policy name, number, and a central mailing address to which notices from Medicare Administrative Contractors may be sent.

(5) Paying user fees for claim notices that are transmitted electronically or otherwise.

(6) Providing to the secretary, at least annually, a central mailing address to which all claims may be sent by Medicare Administrative Contractors.

(7) File, by June 30 of each year, with the commissioner a list of its Medicare supplement policies and certificates offered or issued or in force in California as of the end of the previous year.

(A) The list shall identify the issuer by name and address, shall identify each type of form it offers by name and form number, and shall differentiate between forms approved in the previous calendar year and those approved before the previous calendar year.

(B) The list shall identify all of the following:

(i) Forms issued and in force but no longer offered in California.

(ii) Forms that, for any reason, were not filed and approved by the commissioner.

(iii) Forms for which the commissioner’s approval was withdrawn within the previous calendar year.

(iv) The number of forms issued in California in the previous calendar year, and the number of forms in force in California on December 31 of the previous calendar year.

(b) (1) Compliance with the requirements set forth in subdivision (a) shall be certified on the Medicare supplement insurance experience reporting form provided by the commissioner.

(2) The commissioner shall, by September 1 of each year, provide the secretary with a list identifying each issuer by name and address and provide the information requested in this section.

(c) No issuer that administers Medicare coverage and federal employee programs may require that more than one form be submitted per claim in order to receive payment or reimbursement under any or all of those policies or programs.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 10, Sec. 23. Effective July 2, 2009.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) (1) (A) With respect to loss ratio standards, a Medicare supplement policy form or certificate form shall not be advertised, solicited, or issued for delivery unless the policy form or certificate form can be expected, as estimated for the entire period for which rates are computed to provide coverage, to return to policyholders and certificate holders in the form of aggregate benefits, not including anticipated refunds or credits, provided under the policy form or certificate form at least 75 percent of the aggregate amount of premiums earned in the case of group policies, or at least 65 percent of the aggregate amount of premiums earned in the case of individual policies.

(B) Loss ratio standards shall be calculated on the basis of incurred claims experience, and earned premiums shall be calculated for the period and in accordance with accepted actuarial principles and practices.

(2) All filings of rates and rating schedules shall demonstrate that expected claims in relation to premiums comply with the requirements of this section when combined with actual experience to date. Filings of rate revisions shall also demonstrate that the anticipated loss ratio over the entire future period for which the revised rates are computed to provide coverage can be expected to meet the appropriate loss ratio standards.

(3) For purposes of applying paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) and paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 10192.15 only, policies issued as a result of solicitations of individuals through the mail or by mass media advertising, including both print and broadcast advertising, shall be deemed to be individual policies.

(b) (1) With respect to refund or credit calculations, an issuer shall collect and file with the commissioner by May 31 of each year the data contained in the applicable reporting form required by the commissioner for each type of coverage in a standard Medicare supplement benefit plan.

(2) If on the basis of the experience as reported the benchmark ratio since inception (ratio 1) exceeds the adjusted experience ratio since inception (ratio 3), then a refund or credit calculation is required. The refund calculation shall be done on a statewide basis for each type in a standard Medicare supplement benefit plan. For purposes of the refund or credit calculation, experience on policies issued within the reporting year shall be excluded.

(3) For the purposes of this section, with respect to policies or certificates advertised, solicited, or issued for delivery prior to January 1, 2001, the issuer shall make the refund or credit calculation separately for all individual policies, including all group policies subject to an individual loss ratio standard when issued, combined and all other group policies combined for experience after January 1, 2001. The first report pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be due by May 31, 2003.

(4) A refund or credit shall be made only when the benchmark loss ratio exceeds the adjusted experience loss ratio and the amount to be refunded or credited exceeds a de minimis level. The refund shall include interest from the end of the calendar year to the date of the refund or credit at a rate specified by the secretary, but in no event shall it be less than the average rate of interest for 13-week Treasury notes. A refund or credit against premiums due shall be made by September 30 following the experience year upon which the refund or credit is based.

(c) An issuer of Medicare supplement policies and certificates shall file annually its rates, rating schedule, and supporting documentation including ratios of incurred losses to earned premiums by policy duration for approval by the commissioner in accordance with the filing requirements and procedures prescribed by the commissioner and this code. The supporting documentation shall also demonstrate in accordance with actuarial standards of practice using reasonable assumptions that the appropriate loss ratio standards can be expected to be met over the entire period for which rates are computed. The demonstration shall exclude active life reserves. An expected third-year loss ratio that is greater than or equal to the applicable percentage shall be demonstrated for policies or certificates in force less than three years.

As soon as practicable, but prior to the effective date of enhancements in Medicare benefits, every issuer of Medicare supplement policies or certificates shall file with the commissioner, in accordance with applicable filing procedures, all of the following:

(1) (A) Appropriate premium adjustments necessary to produce loss ratios as anticipated for the current premium for the applicable policies or certificates. The supporting documents necessary to justify the adjustment shall accompany the filing.

(B) An issuer shall make premium adjustments necessary to produce an expected loss ratio under the policy or certificate to conform to minimum loss ratio standards for Medicare supplement policies and that are expected to result in a loss ratio at least as great as that originally anticipated in the rates used to produce current premiums by the issuer for the Medicare supplement policies or certificates. No premium adjustment that would modify the loss ratio experience under the policy other than the adjustments described in this section shall be made with respect to a policy at any time other than upon its renewal date or anniversary date.

(C) If an issuer fails to make premium adjustments acceptable to the commissioner, the commissioner may order premium adjustments, refunds, or premium credits deemed necessary to achieve the loss ratio required by this section.

(2) Any appropriate riders, endorsements, or policy forms needed to accomplish the Medicare supplement policy or certificate modifications necessary to eliminate benefit duplications with Medicare. The riders, endorsements, or policy forms shall provide a clear description of the Medicare supplement benefits provided by the policy or certificate.

(d) The commissioner may conduct a public hearing to gather information concerning a request by an issuer for an increase in a rate for a policy form or certificate form issued before or after the effective date of January 1, 2001, if the experience of the form for the previous reporting period is not in compliance with the applicable loss ratio standard. The determination of compliance is made without consideration of any refund or credit for the reporting period. Public notice of the hearing shall be furnished in a manner deemed appropriate by the commissioner.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 206, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) An issuer shall not advertise, solicit, or issue for delivery a policy or certificate to a resident of this state unless the policy form or certificate form has been filed with and approved by the commissioner in accordance with filing requirements and procedures prescribed by the commissioner. Master policies issued outside California shall be filed for informational purposes along with the certificates. Until January 1, 2001, or 90 days after approval of Medicare supplement policies or certificates submitted for approval pursuant to this section, whichever is later, issuers may continue to offer and market previously approved Medicare supplement policies or certificates.

(b) An issuer shall file any riders or amendments to policy or certificate forms to delete outpatient prescription drug benefits, as required by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173), only with the commissioner in the state where the policy or certificate was issued.

(c) (1) An issuer shall not use or change premium rates for a Medicare supplement policy or certificate unless the rates, rating schedule, and supporting documentation have been filed with and approved by the commissioner in accordance with the filing requirements and procedures prescribed by the commissioner.

(2) Paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 10290 shall not apply to Medicare supplement insurance forms or rates. However, the commissioner may authorize in writing, for good cause only, the limited use of a form or rates after that form or the rates have been filed with the commissioner for 60 days and have not otherwise been acted upon.

(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an issuer shall not file for approval more than one form of a policy or certificate of each type for each standard Medicare supplement benefit plan.

(2) An issuer may offer, with the approval of the commissioner, up to four additional policy forms or certificate forms of the same type for the same standard Medicare supplement benefit plan, one for each of the following cases:

(A) The inclusion of new or innovative benefits.

(B) The addition of either direct response or agent marketing methods.

(C) The addition of either guaranteed issue or underwritten coverage.

(D) The offering of coverage to individuals eligible for Medicare by reason of disability.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a “type” means an individual policy, a group policy, an individual Medicare Select policy, or a group Medicare Select policy.

(e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (a), an issuer shall continue to make available for purchase any policy form or certificate form issued after January 1, 2001, that has been approved by the commissioner. A policy form or certificate form shall not be considered to be available for purchase unless the issuer has actively offered it for sale in the previous 12 months.

(A) An issuer may discontinue the availability of a policy form or certificate form if the issuer provides to the commissioner in writing its decision at least 60 days prior to discontinuing the availability of the form of the policy or certificate. After receipt of the notice by the commissioner, the issuer shall no longer offer for sale the policy form or certificate form in this state.

(B) An issuer that discontinues the availability of a policy form or certificate form pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not file for approval a new policy form or certificate form of the same type for the same standard Medicare supplement benefit plan as the discontinued form for a period of five years after the issuer provides notice to the commissioner of the discontinuance. The period of discontinuance may be reduced if the commissioner determines that a shorter period is appropriate.

(2) The sale or other transfer of Medicare supplement business to another issuer shall be considered a discontinuance for the purposes of this subdivision.

(3) A change in the rating structure or methodology shall be considered a discontinuance under paragraph (1) unless the issuer complies with the following requirements:

(A) The issuer provides an actuarial memorandum, in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, describing the manner in which the revised rating methodology and resultant rates differ from the existing rating methodology and existing rates. The commissioner may approve the change if it is in the public interest.

(B) The issuer does not subsequently put into effect a change of rates or rating factors that would cause the percentage differential between the discontinued and subsequent rates as described in the actuarial memorandum to change. The commissioner may approve a change to the differential that is in the public interest. The commissioner may approve a change to the differential if it is in the public interest.

(f) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the experience of all policy forms or certificate forms of the same type in a standard Medicare supplement benefit plan shall be combined for purposes of the refund or credit calculation prescribed in Section 10192.14.

(2) Forms assumed under an assumption reinsurance agreement shall not be combined with the experience of other forms for purposes of the refund or credit calculation.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 206, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) An issuer or other entity may provide commission or other compensation to an agent or other representative for the sale of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate only if the first year commission or other first year compensation is no more than 200 percent of the commission or other compensation paid for selling or servicing the policy or certificate in the second year or period. Every insurer shall file with the commissioner its commission structure or an explanation of the insurer’s plan to comply with this provision.

(b) The commission or other compensation provided in subsequent renewal years must be the same as that provided in the second year or period and must be provided for no fewer than five renewal years.

(c) No issuer or other entity shall provide compensation to its agents or other producers, and no agent or producer shall receive compensation, greater than the renewal compensation payable by the replacing issuer on renewal policies or certificates if an existing policy or certificate is replaced.

(d) For purposes of this section, “commission” or “compensation” includes pecuniary or nonpecuniary remuneration of any kind relating to the sale or renewal of the policy or certificate, including, but not limited to, bonuses, gifts, prizes, awards, and finders’ fees.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 706, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) Medicare supplement policies and certificates shall include a renewal, continuation, or conversion provision. The language or specifications of the provision shall be consistent with the type of contract issued. The provision shall be appropriately captioned and shall appear on the first page of the policy, and shall include any reservation by the issuer of the right to change premiums and any automatic renewal premium increases based on the policyholder’s age.

(b) Except for riders or endorsements by which the issuer effectuates a request made in writing by the insured, exercises a specifically reserved right under a Medicare supplement policy, or is required to reduce or eliminate benefits to avoid duplication of Medicare benefits, all riders or endorsements added to a Medicare supplement policy after the date of issue or upon reinstatement or renewal that reduce or eliminate benefits or coverage in the policy shall require a signed acceptance by the insured. After the date of policy or certificate issue, any rider or endorsement that increases benefits or coverage with a concomitant increase in premium during the policy term shall be agreed to in writing signed by the insured, unless the benefits are required by the minimum standards for Medicare supplement policies, or if the increased benefits or coverage is required by law. If a separate additional premium is charged for benefits provided in connection with riders or endorsements, the premium charge shall be set forth in the policy.

(c) Medicare supplement policies or certificates shall not provide for the payment of benefits based on standards described as “usual and customary,” “reasonable and customary,” or words of similar import.

(d) If a Medicare supplement policy or certificate contains any limitations with respect to preexisting conditions, those limitations shall appear as a separate paragraph of the policy and be labeled as “Preexisting Condition Limitations.”

(e) (1) Medicare supplement policies and certificates shall have a notice prominently printed on the first page of the policy or certificate, and of the outline of coverage, or attached thereto, in no less than 10-point uppercase type, stating in substance that the policyholder or certificate holder shall have the right to return the policy or certificate, via regular mail, within 30 days of receiving it, and to have the full premium refunded if, after examination of the policy or certificate, the insured person is not satisfied for any reason. The return shall void the contract from the beginning, and the parties shall be in the same position as if no contract had been issued.

(2) For purposes of this section, a timely manner shall be no later than 30 days after the issuer receives the returned contract.

(3) If the issuer fails to refund all prepaid or periodic charges paid in a timely manner, then the applicant shall receive interest on the paid charges at the legal rate of interest on judgments as provided in Section 685.010 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The interest shall be paid from the date the issuer received the returned contract.

(f) (1) Issuers of health insurance policies, certificates, or contracts that provide hospital or medical expense coverage on an expense incurred or indemnity basis, other than incidentally, to persons eligible for Medicare shall provide to those applicants a Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare in the form developed jointly by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and in a type size no smaller than 12-point type. Delivery of the guide shall be made whether or not the policies or certificates are advertised, solicited, or issued for delivery as Medicare supplement policies or certificates as defined in this article. Except in the case of direct response issuers, delivery of the guide shall be made to the applicant at the time of application, and acknowledgment of receipt of the guide shall be obtained by the issuer. Direct response issuers shall deliver the guide to the applicant upon request, but not later than at the time the policy is delivered.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “form” means the language, format, type size, type proportional spacing, bold character, and line spacing.

(g) As soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days prior to the annual effective date of any Medicare benefit changes, an issuer shall notify its policyholders and certificate holders of modifications it has made to Medicare supplement policies or certificates in a format acceptable to the commissioner. The notice shall include both of the following:

(1) A description of revisions to the Medicare Program and a description of each modification made to the coverage provided under the Medicare supplement policy or certificate.

(2) Inform each policyholder or certificate holder as to when any premium adjustment is to be made due to changes in Medicare.

(h) The notice of benefit modifications and any premium adjustments shall be in outline form and in clear and simple terms so as to facilitate comprehension.

(i) The notices shall not contain or be accompanied by any solicitation.

(j) (1) Issuers shall provide an outline of coverage to all applicants at the time application is presented to the prospective applicant and, except for direct response policies, shall obtain an acknowledgment of receipt of the outline from the applicant. If an outline of coverage is provided at the time of application and the Medicare supplement policy or certificate is issued on a basis which would require revision of the outline, a substitute outline of coverage properly describing the policy or certificate shall accompany the policy or certificate when it is delivered and contain the following statement, in no less than 12-point type, immediately above the company name: “NOTICE: Read this outline of coverage carefully. It is not identical to the outline of coverage provided upon application and the coverage originally applied for has not been issued.” (2) The outline of coverage provided to applicants pursuant to this section consists of four parts: a cover page, premium information, disclosure pages, and charts displaying the features of each benefit plan offered by the issuer. The outline of coverage shall be in the language and format prescribed below in no less than 12-point type. All Medicare supplement plans authorized by federal law shall be shown on the cover page, and the plans that are offered by the issuer shall be prominently identified. Premium information for plans that are offered shall be shown on the cover page or immediately following the cover page and shall be prominently displayed. The premium and mode shall be stated for all plans that are offered to the prospective applicant. All possible premiums for the prospective applicant shall be illustrated.

(3) The commissioner may adopt regulations to implement this article, including, but not limited to, regulations that specify the required information to be contained in the outline of coverage provided to applicants pursuant to this section, including the format of tables, charts, and other information.

(k) (1) Any disability insurance policy or certificate, a basic, catastrophic or major medical expense policy, or single premium nonrenewal policy or certificate issued to persons eligible for Medicare, other than a Medicare supplement policy, a policy issued pursuant to a contract under Section 1876 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395 et seq.), a disability income policy, or any other policy identified in subdivision (b) of Section 10192.3, advertised, solicited, or issued for delivery in this state to persons eligible for Medicare, shall notify insureds under the policy that the policy is not a Medicare supplement policy or certificate. The notice shall either be printed or attached to the first page of the outline of coverage delivered to insureds under the policy, or if no outline of coverage is delivered, to the first page of the policy or certificate delivered to insureds. The notice shall be in no less than 12-point type and shall contain the following language: “THIS [POLICY OR CERTIFICATE] IS NOT A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT [POLICY OR CONTRACT]. If you are eligible for Medicare, review the Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare available from the company.” (2) Applications provided to persons eligible for Medicare for the disability insurance policies or certificates described in paragraph (1) shall disclose the extent to which the policy duplicates Medicare in a manner required by the commissioner. The disclosure statement shall be provided as a part of, or together with, the application for the policy or certificate.

(l) (1) Insurers issuing Medicare supplement policies or certificates for delivery in California shall provide an outline of coverage to all applicants at the time of presentation for examination or sale as provided in Section 10605, and in no case later than at the time the application is made. Except for direct response policies, insurers shall obtain a written acknowledgment of receipt of the outline from the applicant.

Any advertisement that is not a presentation for examination or sale as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 10601 shall contain a notice in no less than 10-point uppercase type that an outline of coverage is available upon request. The insurer or agent that receives any request for an outline of coverage shall provide an outline of coverage to the person making the request within 14 days of receipt of the request.

(2) If an outline of coverage is provided at or before the time of application and the Medicare supplement policy or certificate is issued on a basis that would require revision of the outline, a substitute outline of coverage properly describing the policy or certificate shall accompany the policy or certificate when it is delivered and contain the following statement, in no less than 12-point type, immediately above the name: “NOTICE: Read this outline of coverage carefully. It is not identical to the outline of coverage provided upon application and the coverage originally applied for has not been issued.” (3) The outline of coverage shall be in the language and format prescribed in this subdivision in no less than 12-point type, and shall include the following items in the order prescribed below. Titles, as set forth below in paragraphs (B) to (H), inclusive, shall be capitalized, centered, and printed in boldface type.

(A) (i) The following shall only apply to policies sold for effective dates prior to June 1, 2010:

(I) The outline of coverage shall include the items, and in the same order, specified in the chart set forth in Section 17 of the Model Regulation to implement the NAIC Medicare Supplement Insurance Minimum Standards Model Act, as adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2004.

(II) The cover page shall contain the 14-plan (A-L) charts. The plans offered by the insurer shall be clearly identified. Innovative benefits shall be explained in a manner approved by the commissioner. The text shall read: “Medicare supplement insurance can be sold in only 12 standard plans. This chart shows the benefits included in each plan. Every insurance company must offer Plan A. Some plans may not be available.

The BASIC BENEFITS included in ALL plans are:

Hospitalization: Medicare Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end.

Medical expenses: Medicare Part B coinsurance (usually 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount).

Blood: First three pints of blood each year.

Mammogram: One annual screening to the extent not covered by Medicare.

Cervical cancer test: One annual screening.” [Reference to the mammogram and cervical cancer screening test shall not be included so long as California is required to disallow them for Medicare beneficiaries by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other agent of the federal government under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395ss.]

(ii) The following shall only apply to policies sold for effective dates on or after June 1, 2010:

(I) The outline of coverage shall include the items, and in the same order specified in the chart set forth in Section 17 of the Model Regulation to implement the NAIC Medicare Supplement Insurance Minimum Standards Model Act, as adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2008.

(II) The cover page shall contain all Medicare supplement benefit plan charts A to D, inclusive, F, high deductible F, G, and K to N, inclusive. The plans offered by the insurer shall be clearly identified. Innovative benefits shall be explained in a manner approved by the commissioner. The text shall read: “Medicare supplement insurance can be sold in only standard plans. This chart shows the benefits included in each plan. Every insurance company must offer Plan A. Some plans may not be available. Plans E, H, I and J are no longer available for sale. [This sentence shall not appear after June 1, 2011.]

The BASIC BENEFITS included in ALL plans are:

Hospitalization: Medicare Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end.

Medical expenses: Medicare Part B coinsurance (usually 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount) or copayments for hospital outpatient services. Plans K, L, and N require insureds to pay a portion of Part B coinsurance copayments.

Blood: First three pints of blood each year.

Hospice: Part A coinsurance.

Mammogram: One annual screening to the extent not covered by Medicare.

Cervical cancer test: One annual screening.” [Reference to the mammogram and cervical cancer screening test shall not be included so long as California is required to disallow them for Medicare beneficiaries by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other agent of the federal government under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395ss.] (iii) The following shall apply only to policies sold for effective dates on or after January 1, 2020:

(I) The outline of coverage shall include the items, and in the same order specified in the chart set forth in Section 17 of the Model Regulation to implement the NAIC Medicare Supplement Insurance Minimum Standards Model Act, as adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2016.

(II) The cover page shall contain all Medicare supplement benefit plan charts A to D, inclusive, F, high deductible F, G, high deductible G, and K to N, inclusive. The plans offered by the insurer shall be clearly identified. Plans C, F, and high deductible F shall be noted as available only to applicants eligible before 2020. Innovative benefits shall be explained in a manner approved by the commissioner. The text shall read: “Medicare supplement insurance can be sold in only standard plans. This chart shows the benefits included in each plan. Every insurance company must offer Plan A.

The BASIC BENEFITS included in ALL plans are:

Hospitalization: Medicare Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end.

Medical expenses: Medicare Part B coinsurance (usually 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount) or copayments for hospital outpatient services. Plans K, L, and N require insureds to pay a portion of Part B coinsurance copayments.

Blood: First three pints of blood each year.

Hospice: Part A coinsurance.

Mammogram: One annual screening to the extent not covered by Medicare.

Cervical cancer test: One annual screening.”

[Reference to the mammogram and cervical cancer screening test shall not be included so long as California is required to disallow them for Medicare beneficiaries by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other agent of the federal government under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395ss.] (B) PREMIUM INFORMATION. Premium information for plans that are offered by the insurer shall be shown on, or immediately following, the cover page and shall be clearly and prominently displayed. The premium and mode shall be stated for all offered plans. All possible premiums for the prospective applicant shall be illustrated in writing. If the premium is based on the increasing age of the insured, information specifying when and how premiums will change shall be clearly illustrated in writing. The text shall state: “We [the insurer’s name] can only raise your premium if we raise the premium for all policies like yours in California.”

(C) The text shall state: “Use this outline to compare benefits and premiums among policies.”

(D) READ YOUR POLICY VERY CAREFULLY. The text shall state: “This is only an outline describing your policy’s most important features. The policy is your insurance contract. You must read the policy itself to understand all of the rights and duties of both you and your insurance company.”

(E) THIRTY-DAY RIGHT TO RETURN THIS POLICY. The text shall state: “If you find that you are not satisfied with your policy, you may return it to [insert the insurer’s address]. If you send the policy back to us within 30 days after you receive it, we will treat the policy as if it has never been issued and return all of your payments.”

(F) POLICY REPLACEMENT. The text shall read: “If you are replacing another health insurance policy, do NOT cancel it until you have actually received your new policy and are sure you want to keep it.”

(G) DISCLOSURES. The text shall read: “This policy may not fully cover all of your medical costs.” “Neither this company nor any of its agents are connected with Medicare.” “This outline of coverage does not give all the details of Medicare coverage. Contact your local social security office or consult ‘The Medicare Handbook’ for more details.” “For additional information concerning policy benefits, contact the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) or your agent. Call the HICAP toll-free telephone number, 1-800-434-0222, for a referral to your local HICAP office. HICAP is a service provided free of charge by the State of California.”

For policies effective on dates on or after June 1, 2010, the following language shall be required until June 1, 2011, “This outline shows benefits and premiums of policies sold for effective dates on or after June 1, 2010. Policies sold for effective dates prior to June 1, 2010 have different benefits and premiums. Plans E, H, I, and J are no longer available for sale.”

(H) [For policies that are not guaranteed issue] COMPLETE ANSWERS ARE IMPORTANT. The text shall read: “When you fill out the application for a new policy, be sure to answer truthfully and completely all questions about your medical and health history. The company may have the right to cancel your policy and refuse to pay any claims if you leave out or falsify important medical information.

Review the application carefully before you sign it. Be certain that all information has been properly recorded.”

(I) One chart for each benefit plan offered by the insurer showing the services, Medicare payments, payments under the policy and payments expected from the insured, using the same uniform format and language. No more than four plans may be shown on one page. Include an explanation of any innovative benefits in a manner approved by the commissioner.

(m) An issuer shall comply with all notice requirements of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 157, Sec. 7. (SB 784) Effective July 30, 2019.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) Application forms shall include the following questions designed to elicit information as to whether, as of the date of the application, the applicant currently has Medicare supplement, Medicare Advantage, Medi-Cal coverage, or another health insurance policy or certificate in force or whether a Medicare supplement policy or certificate is intended to replace any other disability policy or certificate presently in force. A supplementary application or other form to be signed by the applicant and agent containing those questions and statements may be used.

(Statements)

(1) You do not need more than one Medicare supplement policy.

(2) If you purchase this policy, you may want to evaluate your existing health coverage and decide if you need multiple coverages.

(3) You may be eligible for benefits under Medi-Cal and may not need a Medicare supplement policy.

(4) If after purchasing this policy you become eligible for Medi-Cal, the benefits and premiums under your Medicare supplement policy can be suspended, if requested, during your entitlement to benefits under Medi-Cal for 24 months. You must request this suspension within 90 days of becoming eligible for Medi-Cal. If you are no longer entitled to Medi-Cal, your suspended Medicare supplement policy or if that is no longer available, a substantially equivalent policy, will be reinstituted if requested within 90 days of losing Medi-Cal eligibility. If the Medicare supplement policy provided coverage for outpatient prescription drugs and you enrolled in Medicare Part D while your policy was suspended, the reinstituted policy will not have outpatient prescription drug coverage, but will otherwise be substantially equivalent to your coverage before the date of the suspension.

(5) If you are eligible for, and have enrolled in, a Medicare supplement policy by reason of disability and you later become covered by an employer or union-based group health plan, the benefits and premiums under your Medicare supplement policy can be suspended, if requested, while you are covered under the employer or union-based group health plan. If you suspend your Medicare supplement policy under these circumstances and later lose your employer or union-based group health plan, your suspended Medicare supplement policy or if that is no longer available, a substantially equivalent policy, will be reinstituted if requested within 90 days of losing your employer or union-based group health plan. If the Medicare supplement policy provided coverage for outpatient prescription drugs and you enrolled in Medicare Part D while your policy was suspended, the reinstituted policy will not have outpatient prescription drug coverage, but will otherwise be substantially equivalent to your coverage before the date of the suspension.

(6) Counseling services are available in this state to provide advice concerning your purchase of Medicare supplement insurance and concerning medical assistance through the Medi-Cal program, including benefits as a qualified Medicare beneficiary (QMB) and a specified low-income Medicare beneficiary (SLMB). If you want to discuss buying Medicare supplement insurance with a trained insurance counselor, call the California Department of Insurance’s toll-free telephone number 1-800-927-HELP, or access the department’s Internet Web site, www.insurance.ca.gov, and ask how to contact your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) office. HICAP is a service provided free of charge by the State of California.

(Questions)

If you lost or are losing other health insurance coverage and received a notice from your prior insurer saying you were eligible for guaranteed issue of a Medicare supplement insurance policy or that you had certain rights to buy such a policy, you may be guaranteed acceptance in one or more of our Medicare supplement plans. Please include a copy of the notice from your prior insurer with your application. PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

[Please mark Yes or No below with an “X.”]

To the best of your knowledge,

(1) (a) Did you turn 65 years of age in the last 6 months?

Yes____ No____

(b) Did you enroll in Medicare Part B in the last 6 months?

Yes____ No____

(c) If yes, what is the effective date?___________________

(2) Are you covered for medical assistance through California’s Medi-Cal program?

NOTE TO APPLICANT: If you have a share of cost under the Medi-Cal program, please answer NO to this question.

Yes____ No____

If yes,

(a) Will Medi-Cal pay your premiums for this Medicare supplement policy?

Yes____ No____

(b) Do you receive benefits from Medi-Cal OTHER THAN payments toward your Medicare Part B premium?

Yes____ No____

(3) (a) If you had coverage from any Medicare plan other than original Medicare within the past 63 days (for example, a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare HMO or PPO), fill in your start and end dates below. If you are still covered under this plan, leave “END” blank.

START __/__/__ END __/__/__

(b) If you are still covered under the Medicare plan, do you intend to replace your current coverage with this new Medicare supplement policy?

Yes____ No____

(c) Was this your first time in this type of Medicare plan?

Yes____ No____

(d) Did you drop a Medicare supplement policy to enroll in the Medicare plan?

Yes____ No____

(4) (a) Do you have another Medicare supplement policy in force?

Yes____ No____

(b) If so, with what company, and what plan do you have? [optional for direct mailers]

Yes____ No____

(c) If so, do you intend to replace your current Medicare supplement policy with this policy?

Yes____ No____

(5) Have you had coverage under any other health insurance within the past 63 days (For example, an employer, union, or individual plan)?

Yes____ No____

(a) If so, with what companies and what kind of policy?

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

(b) What are your dates of coverage under the other policy?

START __/__/__ END __/__/__

(If you are still covered under the other policy, leave “END” blank.)

(b) Agents shall list any other health insurance policies they have sold to the applicant as follows:

(1) List policies sold that are still in force.

(2) List policies sold in the past five years that are no longer in force.

(c) In the case of a direct response issuer, a copy of the application or supplemental form, signed by the applicant, and acknowledged by the issuer, shall be returned to the applicant by the issuer upon delivery of the policy.

(d) Upon determining that a sale will involve replacement of Medicare supplement coverage, any issuer, other than a direct response issuer, or its agent, shall furnish the applicant, prior to issuance for delivery of the Medicare supplement policy or certificate, a notice regarding replacement of Medicare supplement coverage. One copy of the notice signed by the applicant and the agent, except when the coverage is sold without an agent, shall be provided to the applicant and an additional signed copy shall be retained by the issuer as provided in Section 10508. A direct response issuer shall deliver to the applicant at the time of the issuance of the policy the notice regarding replacement of Medicare supplement coverage.

(e) The notice required by subdivision (d) for an issuer shall be in the form specified by the commissioner, using, to the extent practicable, a model notice prepared by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for this purpose. The replacement notice shall be printed in no less than 12-point type in substantially the following form:

[Insurer’s name and address]

NOTICE TO APPLICANT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT COVERAGE OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

SAVE THIS NOTICE! IT MAY BE IMPORTANT IN THE FUTURE.

If you intend to cancel or terminate existing Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage insurance and replace it with coverage issued by [company name], please review the new coverage carefully and replace the existing coverage ONLY if the new coverage materially improves your position. DO NOT CANCEL YOUR PRESENT COVERAGE UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR NEW POLICY AND ARE SURE THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP IT.

If you decide to purchase the new coverage, you will have 30 days after you receive the policy to return it to the insurer, for any reason, and receive a refund of your money.

If you want to discuss buying Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage coverage with a trained insurance counselor, call the California Department of Insurance’s toll-free telephone number 1-800-927-HELP, and ask how to contact your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) office. HICAP is a service provided free of charge by the State of California.

STATEMENT TO APPLICANT FROM THE INSURER AND AGENT: I have reviewed your current health insurance coverage. To the best of my knowledge, the replacement of insurance involved in this transaction does not duplicate coverage or, if applicable, Medicare Advantage coverage because you intend to terminate your existing Medicare supplement coverage or leave your Medicare Advantage plan. In addition, the replacement coverage contains benefits that are clearly and substantially greater than your current benefits for the following reasons:

__ Additional benefits that are: ______

__ No change in benefits, but lower premiums.

__ Fewer benefits and lower premiums.

__ Plan has outpatient prescription drug coverage and applicant is enrolled in Medicare Part D.

__ Disenrollment from a Medicare Advantage plan. Reasons for disenrollment:

__ Other reasons specified here: ______

1. Note: If the issuer of the Medicare supplement policy being applied for does not impose, or is otherwise prohibited from imposing, preexisting condition limitations, please skip to statement 3 below. Health conditions that you may presently have (preexisting conditions) may not be immediately or fully covered under the new policy. This could result in denial or delay of a claim for benefits under the new policy, whereas a similar claim might have been payable under your present policy.

2. State law provides that your replacement Medicare supplement policy may not contain new preexisting conditions, waiting periods, elimination periods, or probationary periods. The insurer will waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions, waiting periods, elimination periods, or probationary periods in the new coverage for similar benefits to the extent that time was spent (depleted) under the original policy.

3. If you still wish to terminate your present policy and replace it with new coverage, be certain to truthfully and completely answer any and all questions on the application concerning your medical and health history. Failure to include all material medical information on an application requesting that information may provide a basis for the insurer to deny any future claims and to refund your premium as though your policy had never been in force. After the application has been completed and before you sign it, review it carefully to be certain that all information has been properly recorded. [If the policy or certificate is guaranteed issue, this paragraph need not appear.]

DO NOT CANCEL YOUR PRESENT POLICY UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR NEW POLICY AND ARE SURE THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP IT.(Signature of Agent, Broker, or Other Representative)(Signature of Applicant)(Date)(f) An issuer, broker, agent, or other person shall not cause an insured to replace a Medicare supplement insurance policy unnecessarily. In recommending replacement of any Medicare supplement insurance, an agent shall make reasonable efforts to determine the appropriateness to the potential insured.

(g) An issuer shall not require, request, or obtain health information as part of the application process for an applicant who is eligible for guaranteed issuance of, or open enrollment for, any Medicare supplement coverage pursuant to Section 10192.11 or 10192.12, except for purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10192.11 when the applicant is first enrolled in Medicare Part B. The application form shall include a clear and conspicuous statement that the applicant is not required to provide health information during a period where guaranteed issue or open enrollment applies, as specified in Section 10192.11 or 10192.12, except for purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10192.11 when the applicant is first enrolled in Medicare Part B, and shall inform the applicant of those periods of guaranteed issuance of Medicare supplement coverage. This subdivision does not prohibit an issuer from requiring proof of eligibility for a guaranteed issuance of Medicare supplement coverage.

(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 348, Sec. 21) by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 207. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies


text:
(a) An issuer shall provide a copy of any Medicare supplement advertisement intended for use in this state whether through written, radio, or television medium to the commissioner for review at least 30 days before dissemination of the advertisement. The advertisement shall comply with all applicable laws of California.

(b) A television, radio, mail, or newspaper advertisement which is designed to produce leads either by use of a coupon or a request to write or otherwise contact the issuer, a production agent, or other person or a subsequent advertisement prior to contact shall include information disclosing that an agent may contact the applicant if that is the fact. In addition, an agent who makes contact with a consumer, as a result of acquiring that consumer’s name from a lead generating device shall disclose that fact in the initial contact with the consumer.

(c) No issuer, agent, broker, solicitor, or other person or other entity shall solicit residents of this state for the purchase of a Medicare supplement policy through the use of a true or fictitious name which is deceptive or misleading with regard to the status, character, or proprietary or representative capacity of the entity or person or the true purpose of the advertisement.

(d) For purposes of this section, an advertisement includes envelopes, stationery, business cards, or other materials designed to describe and encourage the purchase of a Medicare supplement policy.

(e) Advertisements may not employ words, letters, initials, symbols, or other devices which are so similar to those used by governmental agencies, a nonprofit or charitable institution, senior organization, or other insurer that they could have the capacity or tendency to mislead the public. Examples of misleading materials, include, but are not limited to, those which imply any of the following:

(1) The advertised coverages are somehow provided by or are endorsed by the governmental agencies or the other insurer.

(2) The advertiser is the same as, is connected with, or is endorsed by, the governmental agencies, other entity, or other insurers.

(3) That the advertised coverages are somehow provided by or are endorsed by the governmental agencies, other entity, or other insurers.

(f) No advertisement shall use the name of a state or political subdivision thereof in a policy name or description.

(g) No advertisement may use any name, service mark, slogan, symbol, or a device in any manner that implies that the issuer or the Medicare supplement policy advertised, or that any agency who may call upon the consumer in response to the advertisement is connected with a governmental agency, such as the Social Security Administration.

(h) No advertisement shall be used that fails to prominently display the disclaimer to the effect of “Not Connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.”

(i) No advertisement may imply that the reader may lose a right or privilege or benefit under federal, state, or local law if he or she fails to respond to the advertisement.

(j) An issuer, agent, broker, or other entity may not use an address so as to mislead or deceive as to the true identity, location, or licensing status of the issuer, agent, broker, or other entity.

(k) No issuer may use, in the trade name of its insurance policy, any terminology or words so similar to the name of a governmental agency or governmental program as to have the tendency to confuse, deceive, or mislead a prospective purchaser.

(l) All advertisements used by agents, producers, brokers, solicitors, or other persons of an issuer must have prior written approval of the issuer before they may be used.

(m) No issuer, agent, broker, or other entity may solicit a particular class by use of advertisements which state or imply that the occupational or other status as members of the class entitles them to reduced rates on a group or other basis when, in fact, the policy being advertised is sold only on an individual basis at regular rates.

article: 6. Medicare Supplement Policies