Section 10273.4 - Group health benefit plans made renewable, exceptionsAll disability insurers writing, issuing, or administering group health benefit plans shall make all of these health benefit plans renewable with respect to the policyholder, contractholder, or employer except in case of the following:
(a)(1) Nonpayment of the required premiums by the policyholder, contractholder, or employer if the policyholder, contractholder, or employer has been duly notified and billed for the premium and at least a 30-day grace period has elapsed since the date of notification or, if longer, the period of time required for notice and any other requirements pursuant to Section 2703, 2712, or 2742 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Secs. 300gg-2, 300gg-12, and 300gg-42 ) and any subsequent rules or regulations has elapsed.(2) Pursuant to paragraph (1), the disability insurer shall continue to provide coverage as required by the policyholder's, certificate holder's, or other insured's policy during the period described in paragraph (1).(b) The insurer demonstrates fraud or an intentional misrepresentation of material fact under the terms of the policy by the policyholder, contractholder, or employer.(c) Violation of a material contract provision relating to employer or other group contribution or group participation rates by the contractholder or employer.(d) The insurer ceases to provide or arrange for the provision of health care services for new group health benefit plans in this state, provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (1) Notice of the decision to cease writing, issuing, or administering new or existing group health benefit plans in this state is provided to the commissioner and to either the policyholder, contractholder, or employer at least 180 days prior to discontinuation of that coverage.(2) Group health benefit plans shall not be canceled for 180 days after the date of the notice required under paragraph (1) and for that business of a plan that remains in force, any disability insurer that ceases to write, issue, or administer new group health benefit plans shall continue to be governed by this section with respect to business conducted under this section.(3) Except as provided under subdivision (h) of Section 10705, or unless the commissioner had made a determination pursuant to Section 10712, a disability insurer that ceases to write, issue, or administer new group health benefit plans in this state after the effective date of this section shall be prohibited from writing, issuing, or administering new group health benefit plans to employers in this state for a period of five years from the date of notice to the commissioner.(e) The disability insurer withdraws a group health benefit plan from the market; provided, that the plan notifies all affected contractholders, policyholders, or employers and the commissioner at least 90 days prior to the discontinuation of the health benefit plans, and that the insurer makes available to the contractholder, policyholder, or employer all health benefit plans that it makes available to new employer business without regard to the claims experience of health-related factors of insureds or individuals who may become eligible for the coverage.(f) If the coverage is offered through a network plan, there is no longer any covered individual in connection with the plan who lives, resides, or works in the service area of the disability insurer.(g) If coverage is made available in the individual market through a bona fide association, the membership of the individual in the association on the basis of which the coverage is provided, ceases, but only if that coverage is terminated under this subdivision uniformly without regard to any health status-related factor of covered individuals.(h) For the purposes of this section, "health benefit plan" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision (a) of Section 10198.6 and Section 10198.61.(i) For the purposes of this section, "eligible employee" shall have the same meaning as in Section 10700, except that it applies to all health benefit plans issued to employer groups of two or more employees.Amended by Stats 2010 ch 658 (AB 2470),s 11, eff. 1/1/2011.EFFECTIVE 1/1/2000. Amended July 12, 1999 (Bill Number: SB 966) (Chapter 83).