TITLE XXXVII
INSURANCE

CHAPTER 420-B
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS

Section 420-B:8-aa

    420-B:8-aa Dependent Coverage. –
I. A policy may, at the election of the carrier, insure, originally or by subsequent amendment, upon application of an adult member of a family who shall be deemed the policyholder, any 2 or more eligible members of that family, including husband, wife, dependent children, or any other person dependent upon the policyholder. In the event a carrier elects to provide coverage for dependent children, the term "dependent child" shall include a subscriber's child by blood or by law, who is under age 26.
II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require:
(a) Coverage for services provided to a dependent before the effective date of this section; or
(b) That an employer pay all or part of the cost of family coverage that includes a dependent as provided pursuant to this section.
III. A subscriber that elects family coverage during any applicable open enrollment period may enroll any dependent child eligible pursuant to this section.
IV. Coverage for a dependent provided pursuant to this section shall be provided until the earlier of the following:
(a) The dependent is disqualified for dependent status as set forth in paragraph I of this section; or
(b) The date upon which the employer under whose contract coverage is provided to a dependent ceases to provide coverage to the subscriber.
V. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a health insurance carrier to refuse an election for coverage by a dependent pursuant to paragraph III, based upon the dependent's prior disqualification pursuant to subparagraph IV(a).
VI. (a) Notice regarding coverage for a dependent as provided pursuant to this section shall be provided to a subscriber:
(1) In the certificate of coverage prepared for subscribers on or about the date of commencement of coverage; and
(2) Within 30 days following the effective date of this section.
(b) Such notice shall include information regarding the required special open enrollment period.

Source. 2007, 352:3. 2009, 235:11. 2010, 243:10, eff. Sept. 23, 2010.