17B:27-30.3 - Coverage provided by group health plan to subscriber's child
17B:27-30.3. Coverage provided by group health plan to subscriber's child 15. a. A group health plan as defined in section 607(1) of the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974," 29 U.S.C.1167(1) which provides hospital or medical expense benefits under which dependent coverage is available shall not deny coverage for a covered employee's child on the grounds that:
(1) The child was born out of wedlock;
(2) The child is not claimed as a dependent on the covered employee's federal tax return; or
(3) The child does not reside with the covered employee or in the group health plan's service area, provided that, in the case of a managed care plan, the child complies with the terms and conditions of the plan with respect to the use of specified providers.
b. If a child has coverage through a group health plan of a noncustodial parent, the plan shall:
(1) Provide such information to the custodial parent as may be necessary for the child to obtain benefits through the child's noncustodial parent's coverage;
(2) Permit the custodial parent, or the health care provider with the authorization of the custodial parent, to submit claims for covered services without the approval of the noncustodial parent; and
(3) Make payments on claims submitted in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection directly to the custodial parent, the health care provider or the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services which administers the State Medicaid program, as appropriate.
c. When a parent who is the covered employee is eligible for dependent coverage and is required by a court or administrative order to provide health insurance coverage for his child, the group health plan shall:
(1) Permit the parent to enroll his child as a dependent, without regard to any enrollment season restrictions;
(2) Permit the child's other parent, or the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services as the State Medicaid agency or the Division of Family Development as the State IV-D agency, in the Department of Human Services, to enroll the child under the group health plan if the parent who is the covered employee fails to enroll the child; and
(3) Not terminate coverage of the child unless the parent who is the covered employee provides the group health plan with satisfactory written evidence that: the court or administrative order is no longer in effect; or the child is or will be enrolled in a comparable health benefits plan whose coverage will be effective on the date of the termination of coverage.
L.1995,c.288,s.15.