17B:27A-55 - Written notice required for issuance, renewal of high deductible health plan; declaration of understanding
17B:27A-55 Written notice required for issuance, renewal of high deductible health plan; declaration of understanding.
18. a. An insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State shall not issue or renew a high deductible health plan for which qualified medical expenses are paid using a health savings account established pursuant to section 223 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. s.223) on or after the effective date of P.L.2005, c.248 (C.17:48E-35.27 et al.), unless the application for the contract or policy is accompanied by a written notice, approved by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, identifying and containing a one page, double-sided declaration of understanding for high deductible health plans for which qualified medical expenses are paid using a health savings account established pursuant to section 223 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. s.223). At the time a high deductible health plan for which qualified medical expenses are paid using a health savings account established pursuant to section 223 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. s.223) is issued or renewed, the contract holder or policyholder shall sign and return a copy of the one page, double-sided declaration of understanding to the insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or health maintenance organization. The contract holder or policyholder is responsible for retaining a copy of the one page, double-sided declaration of understanding.
b.The declaration of understanding shall include a signature line representing the recipient's receipt and understanding of the declaration, and shall also include, but not be limited to, information as to the terms of the plan, presented in plain and simple language, concerning:
(1)covered services;
(2)applicable deductibles;
(3)the responsibility of the contract holder or policyholder and any other covered persons for applicable deductibles;
(4)claims processing; and
(5)any other information required by State or federal law.
c.The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance shall enforce the provisions of this section. An insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or health maintenance organization found in violation of this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each day that the payer is in violation if reasonable notice in writing is given of the intent to levy the penalty and, at the discretion of the commissioner, the payer has 30 days, or such additional time as the commissioner shall determine to be reasonable, to remedy the condition which gave rise to the violation and fails to do so within the time allowed. The penalty shall be collected by the commissioner in the name of the State in a summary proceeding in accordance with the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).
d.Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the promulgation of regulations by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to establish standards for the declaration of understanding required pursuant to this section, which standards may require the declaration of understanding to include additional information not stated in this section as deemed appropriate by the commissioner.
L.2005,c.248,s.18.