This widespread Federal legislation has a BIG impact on your GROUP health insurance plan. The changes apply immediately to group policies issued on or after July 1, 1997, or the first anniversary after July 1st for policies issued after that date.

The following is a synopsis of how the law affects your small group health plan:

LATE APPLICANTS (employees who do not apply during their probationary periods) can be denied coverage until your group's open enrollment period. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ENROLL YOUR EMPLOYEES PRIOR TO THEIR EFFECTIVE DATES TO AVOID DECLINATION OF INSURANCE.

Insurers are not making exceptions for late applications unless:

• employee has other coverage that terminates due to los of eligibility and coverage on a group plan is requested within 63 days after other coverage terminates.
• employee acquires new dependent through marriage, birth, or adoption and applies within 31 days.

CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS CREDITABLE COVERAGE AND AFFECT ON PREEXISTING CONDITIONS COVERAGE ...

Employees will be responsible for obtaining CERTIFICATES OF CREDITABLE COVERAGE from their prior insurers. These certificates will need to be submitted to your current group health insurer if credit for time serviced for preexisting waiting periods is desired. Otherwise, employees will be subject to preexisting waiting periods of 12 months for groups 2 - 50 employees or 24 months for groups with one employee.

How to Contact Us
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