71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .
LC 3477
B-Engrossed
House Bill 3126
Ordered by the Senate July 5
Including House Amendments dated May 4 and Senate Amendments
dated
July 5
Sponsored by Representatives WITT, KRUMMEL
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
Allows group life or health insurance coverage to be offered to
expanded types of groups if Director of Department of Consumer
and Business Services makes specified findings. { + Requires
Insurance Pool Governing Board to enter into contracts with
insurance carriers or health care providers for health benefit
plan or plans best designed to meet needs of eligible employees
and small employers. + }
Declares emergency, effective on passage.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to insurance; creating new provisions; amending ORS
652.710, 653.715, 653.745, 731.486, 742.003, 743.417, 743.420,
743.522, 743.560, 743.730, 743.737, 743.754 and 743.766; and
declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 731.486 is amended to read:
731.486. (1) The exemption in ORS 731.146 (2)(b) does not apply
to an insurer that offers coverage under a group health insurance
policy or a group life insurance policy in this state unless the
Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services
determines that the exemption applies.
(2) The insurer shall submit evidence to the director that the
exemption applies. When a master policy is delivered or issued
for delivery outside this state to trustees of a fund for two or
more employers, for one or more labor unions, for one or more
employers and one or more labor unions or for an association, the
insurer shall also submit evidence showing compliance with:
(a) ORS 743.526, for a policy of group health insurance; or
(b) ORS 743.354, for a policy of group life insurance.
(3) The director shall review the evidence submitted and may
request additional evidence as needed.
(4) An insurer shall submit to the director any changes in
{ + + } the evidence submitted under subsection (2) of this
section.
(5) The director may order an insurer to cease offering a
policy or coverage under a policy if the director determines that
the exemption under ORS 731.146 (2)(b) is no longer satisfied.
{ + (6) Coverage under a master group life or health
insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery outside this
state that does not qualify for the exemption in ORS 731.146
(2)(b) may be offered in this state if the director determines
that the state in which the policy was delivered or issued for
delivery has requirements that are substantially similar to those
established under section 3 of this 2001 Act or ORS 743.522 (5)
and that the policy satisfies those requirements. + }
{ - (6) - } { + (7) + }This section does not apply to any
master policy issued to a multistate employer or labor union.
{ - (7) - } { + (8) + } The director may adopt rules to
carry out this section.
SECTION 2. { + Sections 3, 5 and 8 of this 2001 Act are added
to and made a part of ORS chapter 743. + }
SECTION 3. { + (1) Group life insurance coverage offered to a
resident in this state under a group life insurance policy issued
to a group other than one described in ORS 743.351 or 743.354 may
be delivered if:
(a) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business
Services finds that:
(A) The issuance of the policy is in the best interest of the
public;
(B) The issuance of the policy would result in economies of
acquisition or administration; and
(C) The benefits are reasonable in relation to the premiums
charged;
(b) The premium for the policy is paid either from funds of a
policyholder, from funds contributed by a covered person or from
both; and
(c) An insurer has the discretion to exclude or limit coverage
for a voluntary plan on any person for whom evidence of
individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.
(2) The requirements of ORS 743.303 do not apply to a policy
authorized under subsection (1) of this section. + }
SECTION 4. ORS 743.522 is amended to read:
743.522. 'Group health insurance' means that form of health
insurance covering groups of persons { - as defined - }
{ + described + } in this section, with or without one or more
members of their families or one or more of their dependents, or
covering one or more members of the families or one or more
dependents of such groups of persons, and issued upon one of the
following bases:
(1) { + (a) + } Under a policy issued to an employer or
trustees of a fund established by an employer, who shall be
deemed the policyholder, insuring employees of such employer for
the benefit of persons other than the employer. { - The term
'employees' as used in this subsection shall be deemed to
include - } { + As used in this paragraph, 'employee' includes:
(A) + } The officers, managers, and employees of the employer
{ - , - } { + ;
(B) + } The individual proprietor or partners if the employer
is an individual proprietor or partnership { - , - } { + ;
(C) + } The officers, managers, and employees of subsidiary or
affiliated corporations { - , - } { + ;
(D) + } The individual proprietors, partners and employees of
individuals and firms, if the business of the employer and such
individual or firm is under common control through stock
ownership, contract, or otherwise { - . The term 'employees' as
used in this subsection may include retired employees. - } { + ;
(E) The trustees or their employees, or both, if their duties
are principally connected with such trusteeship; and
(F) The leased workers of a client employer.
(b) + } A policy issued to insure employees of a public body
may provide that the term 'employees' shall include elected or
appointed officials. { - The policy may provide that the term '
employees' shall include the trustees or their employees, or
both, if their duties are principally connected with such
trusteeship. - }
(2) Under a policy issued to an association, including a labor
union, { - which - } { + that + } has an active existence for
at least one year, { - which - } { + that + } has a
constitution and bylaws and { - which - } { + that + } has
been organized and is maintained in good faith primarily for
purposes other than that of obtaining insurance, which shall be
deemed the policyholder, insuring members, employees, or
employees of members of the association for the benefit of
persons other than the association or its officers or trustees.
{ - The term ' employees' as used in this subsection may include
retired employees. - }
(3) Under a policy issued to the trustees of a fund established
by two or more employers in the same or related industry or by
one or more labor unions or by one or more employers and one or
more labor unions or by an association as defined in subsection
(2) of this section, insuring employees of the employers or
members of the unions or of such association, or employees of
members of such association for the benefit of persons other than
the employers or the unions or such association. The term
'employees' as used in this subsection may include the officers,
managers and employees of the employer, and the individual
proprietor or partners if the employer is an individual
proprietor or partnership. { - The term 'employees' as used in
this subsection may include retired employees. - } The policy
may provide that the term 'employees' shall include the trustees
or their employees, or both, if their duties are principally
connected with such trusteeship.
(4) Under a policy issued to any person or organization to
which a policy of group life insurance may be issued or delivered
in this state, to insure any class or classes of individuals that
could be insured under such group life policy.
{ - (5) Under a policy issued to cover any other
substantially similar group which, in the discretion of the
Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, may
be subject to the issuance of a group health insurance
policy. - }
{ + (5) Group health insurance offered to a resident of this
state under a group health insurance policy issued to a group
other than one described in subsections (1) to (4) of this
section may be delivered if:
(a) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business
Services finds that:
(A) The issuance of the policy is in the best interest of the
public;
(B) The issuance of the policy would result in economies of
acquisition or administration; and
(C) The benefits are reasonable in relation to the premiums
charged; and
(b) The premium for the policy is paid either from funds of a
policyholder, from funds contributed by a covered person or from
both.
(6) As used in this section and section 5 of this 2001 Act:
(a) 'Client employer' means an employer to whom workers are
provided under contract and for a fee on a leased basis by a
worker leasing company licensed under ORS 656.850.
(b) 'Leased worker' means a worker provided by a worker leasing
company licensed under ORS 656.850.
(c) 'Employee' may include a retired employee. + }
SECTION 5. { + (1) A leasing company may offer group health
insurance to its leased workers. If the leasing company does not
offer group health insurance to its leased workers, the client
employer may offer group health insurance to the leased workers.
(2) If a leasing company offers group health insurance to its
leased workers, the leasing company shall offer group health
insurance to all its leased workers in the same manner. + }
SECTION 6. ORS 743.730 is amended to read:
743.730. As used in ORS 743.730 to 743.773:
(1) 'Actuarial certification' means a written statement by a
member of the American Academy of Actuaries or other individual
acceptable to the Director of the Department of Consumer and
Business Services that a carrier is in compliance with the
provisions of ORS 743.736, 743.760 or 743.761, based upon the
person's examination, including a review of the appropriate
records and of the actuarial assumptions and methods used by the
carrier in establishing premium rates for small employer and
portability health benefit plans.
(2) 'Affiliate' of, or person 'affiliated' with, a specified
person means any carrier who, directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with a specified person. For purposes of this
definition, 'control' has the meaning given that term in ORS
732.548.
(3) 'Affiliation period' means, under the terms of a group
health benefit plan issued by a health care service contractor, a
period:
(a) That is applied uniformly and without regard to any health
status related factors to an enrollee or late enrollee in lieu of
a preexisting conditions provision;
(b) That must expire before any coverage becomes effective
under the plan for the enrollee or late enrollee;
(c) During which no premium shall be charged to the enrollee or
late enrollee; and
(d) That begins on the enrollee's or late enrollee's first date
of eligibility for coverage and runs concurrently with any
eligibility waiting period under the plan.
(4) 'Basic health benefit plan' means a health benefit plan for
small employers that is required to be offered by all small
employer carriers and approved by the Director of the Department
of Consumer and Business Services in accordance with ORS 743.736.
(5) 'Bona fide association' means an association that meets the
requirements of 42 U.S.C. 300gg-11 as amended and in effect on
July 1, 1997.
(6) 'Carrier' means any person who provides health benefit
plans in this state, including a licensed insurance company, a
health care service contractor, a health maintenance
organization, an association or group of employers that provides
benefits by means of a multiple employer welfare arrangement or
any other person or corporation responsible for the payment of
benefits or provision of services.
(7) 'Committee' means the Health Insurance Reform Advisory
Committee created under ORS 743.745.
(8) 'Creditable coverage' means prior health care coverage as
defined in 42 U.S.C. 300gg as amended and in effect on July 1,
1997, and includes coverage remaining in force at the time the
enrollee obtains new coverage.
(9) 'Department' means the Department of Consumer and Business
Services.
(10) 'Dependent' means the spouse or child of an eligible
employee, subject to applicable terms of the health benefit plan
covering the employee.
(11) 'Director' means the Director of the Department of
Consumer and Business Services.
(12) 'Eligible employee' means an employee of a small employer
who works on a regularly scheduled basis, with a normal work week
of 17.5 or more hours. The employer may determine hours worked
for eligibility between 17.5 and 40 hours per week subject to
rules of the carrier. { - The term - } { + ' Eligible
employee' + } includes sole proprietors, partners of a
partnership { + , leased workers as defined in ORS 743.522 + } or
independent contractors if they are included as employees under a
health benefit plan of a small employer but does not include
employees who work on a temporary, seasonal or substitute basis.
Employees who have been employed by the small employer for fewer
than 90 days are not eligible employees unless the small employer
so allows.
(13) 'Enrollee' means an employee, dependent of the employee or
an individual otherwise eligible for a group, individual or
portability health benefit plan who has enrolled for coverage
under the terms of the plan.
(14) 'Exclusion period' means a period during which specified
treatments or services are excluded from coverage.
(15) 'Financially impaired' means a member that is not
insolvent and is:
(a) Considered by the Director of the Department of Consumer
and Business Services to be potentially unable to fulfill its
contractual obligations; or
(b) Placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by
a court of competent jurisdiction.
(16)(a) 'Geographic average rate' means the arithmetical
average of the lowest premium and the corresponding highest
premium to be charged by a carrier in a geographic area
established by the director for the carrier's:
(A) Small employer group health benefit plans;
(B) Individual health benefit plans; or
(C) Portability health benefit plans.
(b) 'Geographic average rate' does not include premium
differences that are due to differences in benefit design or
family composition.
(17) 'Group eligibility waiting period' means, with respect to
a group health benefit plan, the period of employment or
membership with the group that a prospective enrollee must
complete before plan coverage begins.
(18)(a) 'Health benefit plan' means any hospital expense,
medical expense or hospital or medical expense policy or
certificate, health care service contractor or health maintenance
organization subscriber contract, any plan provided by a multiple
employer welfare arrangement or by another benefit arrangement
defined in the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.
(b) 'Health benefit plan' does not include coverage for
accident only, specific disease or condition only, credit,
disability income, coverage of Medicare services pursuant to
contracts with the federal government, Medicare supplement
insurance policies, coverage of CHAMPUS services pursuant to
contracts with the federal government, benefits delivered through
a flexible spending arrangement established pursuant to section
125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, when the
benefits are provided in addition to a group health benefit plan,
long term care insurance, hospital indemnity only, short term
health insurance policies (the duration of which does not exceed
six months including renewals), student accident and health
insurance policies, dental only, vision only, a policy of
stop-loss coverage that meets the requirements of ORS 742.065,
coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance, insurance
arising out of a workers' compensation or similar law, automobile
medical payment insurance or insurance under which benefits are
payable with or without regard to fault and that is statutorily
required to be contained in any liability insurance policy or
equivalent self-insurance.
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to regulate
any employee welfare benefit plan that is exempt from state
regulation because of the federal Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(19) 'Health statement' means any information that is intended
to inform the carrier or agent of the health status of an
enrollee or prospective enrollee in a health benefit plan. '
Health statement' includes the standard health statement
developed by the Health Insurance Reform Advisory Committee.
(20) 'Implementation of chapter 836, Oregon Laws 1989 ' means
that the Health Services Commission has prepared a priority list,
the Legislative Assembly has enacted funding of the list and all
necessary federal approval, including waivers, has been obtained.
(21) 'Individual coverage waiting period' means a period in an
individual health benefit plan during which no premiums may be
collected and health benefit plan coverage issued is not
effective.
(22) 'Initial enrollment period' means a period of at least 30
days following commencement of the first eligibility period for
an individual.
(23) 'Insurance Pool Governing Board' means the Insurance Pool
Governing Board established by ORS 653.725.
(24) 'Late enrollee' means an individual who enrolls in a group
health benefit plan subsequent to the initial enrollment period
during which the individual was eligible for coverage but
declined to enroll. However, an eligible individual shall not be
considered a late enrollee if:
(a) The individual qualifies for a special enrollment period in
accordance with 42 U.S.C. 300gg as amended and in effect on July
1, 1997;
(b) The individual applies for coverage during an open
enrollment period;
(c) A court has ordered that coverage be provided for a spouse
or minor child under a covered employee's health benefit plan and
request for enrollment is made within 30 days after issuance of
the court order;
(d) The individual is employed by an employer who offers
multiple health benefit plans and the individual elects a
different health benefit plan during an open enrollment period;
or
(e) The individual's coverage under Medicaid, Medicare,
CHAMPUS, Indian Health Service or a publicly sponsored or
subsidized health plan, including but not limited to the Oregon
Health Plan, has been involuntarily terminated within 63 days of
applying for coverage in a group health benefit plan.
(25) 'Multiple employer welfare arrangement' means a multiple
employer welfare arrangement as defined in section 3 of the
federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. 1002, that is subject to ORS 750.301 to
750.341.
(26) 'Oregon Medical Insurance Pool' means the pool created
under ORS 735.610.
(27) 'Preexisting conditions provision' means a health benefit
plan provision applicable to an enrollee or late enrollee that
excludes coverage for services, charges or expenses incurred
during a specified period immediately following enrollment for a
condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment
was recommended or received during a specified period immediately
preceding enrollment. For purposes of ORS 743.730 to 743.773:
(a) Pregnancy does not constitute a preexisting condition
except as provided in ORS 743.766;
(b) Genetic information does not constitute a preexisting
condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related
to such information; and
(c) A preexisting conditions provision shall not be applied to
a newborn child or adopted child who obtains coverage in
accordance with ORS 743.707.
(28) 'Premium' includes insurance premiums or other fees
charged for a health benefit plan, including the costs of
benefits paid or reimbursements made to or on behalf of enrollees
covered by the plan.
(29) 'Rating period' means the 12-month calendar period for
which premium rates established by a carrier are in effect, as
determined by the carrier.
(30) 'Small employer' means any person, firm, corporation,
partnership or association actively engaged in business that, on
at least 50 percent of its working days during the preceding
year, employed no more than 25 eligible employees and no fewer
than two eligible employees, the majority of whom are employed
within this state, and in which a bona fide partnership,
independent contractor or employer-employee relationship exists.
'Small employer' includes companies that are eligible to file a
consolidated tax return pursuant to ORS 317.715.
(31) 'Small employer carrier' means any carrier that offers
health benefit plans covering eligible employees of one or more
small employers. A fully insured multiple employer welfare
arrangement otherwise exempt under ORS 750.303 (4) may elect to
be a small employer carrier governed by the provisions of ORS
743.733 to 743.737.
SECTION 7. ORS 742.003 is amended to read:
742.003. (1) Except where otherwise provided by law, no basic
policy form, or application form where written application is
required and is to be made a part of the policy, or rider,
indorsement or renewal certificate form shall be delivered or
issued for delivery in this state until the form has been filed
with and approved by the Director of the Department of Consumer
and Business Services. This section does not apply to:
(a) Forms of unique character which are designed for and used
with respect to insurance upon a particular risk or subject;
(b) Forms issued at the request of a particular life or health
insurance policy owner or certificate holder and which relate to
the manner of distribution of benefits or to the reservation of
rights and benefits thereunder; { - or - }
(c) Forms of group life or health insurance policies, or both,
{ - which - } { + that + } have been agreed upon as a result
of negotiations between the policyholder and the insurer
{ - . - } { + ; or
(d) Forms complying with specific requirements regarding
delivery or issuance for delivery in this state established by
the director by rule. + }
(2) The director shall within 30 days after the filing of any
such form approve or disapprove the form. The director shall give
written notice of such action to the insurer proposing to deliver
such form and when a form is disapproved the notice shall show
wherein such form does not comply with the law.
(3) The 30-day period referred to in subsection (2) of this
section may be extended by the director for an additional period
not to exceed 30 days if the director gives written notice within
the first 30-day period to the insurer proposing to deliver the
form that the director needs such additional time for the
consideration of such form.
(4) The director may at any time request an insurer to furnish
the director a copy of any form exempted under subsection (1) of
this section.
SECTION 8. { + Before a health insurer selling an individual
policy or group health benefit plan, as defined in ORS 743.730,
may cancel a policy for nonpayment of premium, the insurer must
mail a separate notice to the policyholder at least 10 days prior
to the end of the grace period informing the policyholder that
the premium was not received and that the policy will be
terminated as of the premium due date if the premium is not
received by the end of the applicable grace period required by
ORS 743.417 and 743.560. The notice shall be in writing and
mailed by first class mail to the last-known address of the
policyholder. + }
SECTION 9. ORS 743.417 is amended to read:
743.417. (1) { - A - } { + An individual + } health
insurance policy shall contain a provision as follows: 'GRACE
PERIOD: A { + minimum + } grace period of { - _ (insert a
number not less than '7' for weekly premium policies, '10' for
monthly premium policies and '31' for all other policies)
days - } { + 10 days after the premium due date + } will be
granted for the payment of each premium falling due after the
first premium, during which grace period the policy shall
continue in force. '
(2) A policy { - which - } { + that + } contains a
cancellation provision may add the following clause at the end of
the provision set forth in subsection (1) of this section:
'subject to the right of the insurer to cancel in accordance with
the cancellation provision hereof. '
(3) A policy in which the insurer reserves the right to refuse
renewal shall have the following clause at the beginning of the
provision set forth in subsection (1) of this section: ' Unless
not less than 30 days prior to the premium due date the insurer
has delivered to the insured or has mailed to the last address of
the insured as shown by the records of the insurer written notice
of its intention not to renew this policy beyond the period for
which the premium has been accepted. The insurer shall state in
the notice the reason for its refusal to renew this policy. '
SECTION 10. ORS 743.420 is amended to read:
743.420. (1) A health insurance policy shall contain a
provision as follows: 'REINSTATEMENT: If any renewal premium
{ - be - } { + is + } not paid within the { - time granted
the insured for payment - } { + grace period + }, a subsequent
acceptance of premium by the insurer or by any agent duly
authorized by the insurer to accept such premium, without
requiring in connection therewith an application for
reinstatement, shall reinstate the policy; provided, however,
that if the insurer or such agent requires an application for
reinstatement and issues a conditional receipt for the premium
tendered, the policy will be reinstated upon approval of such
application by the insurer or, lacking such approval, upon the
45th day following the date of such conditional receipt unless
the insurer has previously notified the insured in writing of its
disapproval of such application. The reinstated policy shall
cover only loss resulting from such accidental injury as may be
sustained after the date of reinstatement and loss due to such
sickness as may begin more than 10 days after such date. In all
other respects the insured and insurer shall have the same rights
thereunder as they had under the policy immediately before the
due date of the defaulted premium, subject to any provisions
indorsed hereon or attached hereto in connection with the
reinstatement. Any premium accepted in connection with a
reinstatement shall be applied to a period for which premium has
not been previously paid, but not to any period more than 60 days
prior to the date of reinstatement. '
(2) The last sentence of the provision set forth in subsection
(1) of this section may be omitted from any policy which the
insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms
by the timely payment of premiums until at least age 50 or, in
the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least five years
from its date of issue.
SECTION 11. ORS 743.560 is amended to read:
743.560. { + (1) A group health insurance policy shall contain
a provision allowing a minimum grace period of 10 days after the
premium due date for payment of premium.
(2) An insurer of a group health insurance policy providing
coverage for hospital or medical expenses, other than coverage
limited to expenses from accidents or specific diseases, that
seeks to terminate a policy for nonpayment of premium shall
notify the policyholder as described in section 8 of this 2001
Act. + }
{ - (1) - } { + (3) + } An insurer of a group health
insurance policy providing coverage for hospital or medical
expenses, other than coverage limited to expenses from accidents
or specific diseases, shall notify the group policyholder { - ,
the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Department of Consumer
and Business Services - } when the policy is terminated and the
coverage is not replaced by the group policyholder. The notice
required under this subsection:
(a) Must be given on a form prescribed by the Department { +
of Consumer and Business Services + };
(b) Must explain the rights of the certificate holders
regarding continuation of coverage provided by federal and state
law and portability coverage in accordance with ORS 743.760; and
(c) Must be given by mail and must be mailed not later than 10
working days after the date on which the group policy terminates
according to the terms of the policy.
{ - (2) - } { + (4) + } A group health insurance policy to
which subsection
{ - (1) - } { + (3) + } of this section applies shall contain
a provision requiring the insurer to notify the group
policyholder { - , the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the
Department of Consumer and Business Services - } when the policy
is terminated and the coverage is not replaced by the group
policyholder. Each certificate issued under the policy shall also
contain a statement of the provision required under this
subsection.
{ - (3) - } { + (5) + } If an insurer fails to give notice
as required by this section, the insurer shall continue the group
health insurance policy of the group policyholder in full force
from the date notice should have been provided until the date
that the notice is received by the policyholder { - , the Bureau
of Labor and Industries and the Department of Consumer and
Business Services, whichever date is the latest, - } and shall
waive the premiums owing for the period for which the coverage is
continued under this subsection. The time period within which the
certificate holder may exercise any right to continuation or
portability shall commence on the date that the policyholder
{ - , the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Department of
Consumer and Business Services receive the notice, whichever date
is the latest - } { + receives the notice + }.
{ - (4) - } { + (6) + } The insurer shall supply the
employer holding the terminated policy with the necessary
information for the employer to be able to notify properly the
employee of the employee's right to continuation of coverage
under state and federal law and portability coverage in
accordance with ORS 743.760.
SECTION 12. ORS 743.737 is amended to read:
743.737. Health benefit plans covering small employers shall be
subject to the following provisions:
(1) A preexisting conditions provision in a small employer
health benefit plan shall apply only to a condition for which
medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or
received during the six-month period immediately preceding the
enrollment date of an enrollee or late enrollee. As used in this
section, the enrollment date of an enrollee shall be the earlier
of the effective date of coverage or the first day of any
required group eligibility waiting period and the enrollment date
of a late enrollee shall be the effective date of coverage.
(2) A preexisting conditions provision in a small employer
health benefit plan shall terminate its effect as follows:
(a) For an enrollee, not later than the first of the following
dates:
(A) Six months following the enrollee's effective date of
coverage; or
(B) Ten months following the start of any required group
eligibility waiting period.
(b) For a late enrollee, not later than 12 months following the
late enrollee's effective date of coverage.
(3) In applying a preexisting conditions provision to an
enrollee or late enrollee, except as provided in this subsection,
all small employer health benefit plans shall reduce the duration
of the provision by an amount equal to the enrollee's or late
enrollee's aggregate periods of creditable coverage if the most
recent period of creditable coverage is ongoing or ended within
63 days of the enrollment date in the new small employer health
benefit plan. The crediting of prior coverage in accordance with
this subsection shall be applied without regard to the specific
benefits covered during the prior period. This subsection does
not preclude, within a small employer health benefit plan,
application of:
(a) An affiliation period that does not exceed two months for
an enrollee or three months for a late enrollee; or
(b) An exclusion period for specified covered services, as
established by the Health Insurance Reform Advisory Committee,
applicable to all individuals enrolling for the first time in the
small employer health benefit plan.
(4) Late enrollees may be excluded from coverage for up to 12
months or may be subjected to a preexisting conditions provision
for up to 12 months. If both an exclusion from coverage period
and a preexisting conditions provision are applicable to a late
enrollee, the combined period shall not exceed 12 months.
(5) Each small employer health benefit plan shall be renewable
with respect to all eligible enrollees at the option of the
policyholder, small employer or contract holder except:
(a) For nonpayment of the required premiums by the
policyholder, small employer or contract holder.
(b) For fraud or misrepresentation of the policyholder, small
employer or contract holder or, with respect to coverage of
individual enrollees, the enrollees or their representatives.
(c) When the number of enrollees covered under the plan is less
than the number or percentage of enrollees required by
participation requirements under the plan.
(d) For noncompliance with the small employer carrier's
employer contribution requirements under the health benefit plan.
(e) When the carrier discontinues offering or renewing, or
offering and renewing, all of its small employer health benefit
plans in this state or in a specified service area within this
state. In order to discontinue plans under this paragraph, the
carrier:
(A) Must give notice of the decision to the Director of the
Department of Consumer and Business Services and to all
policyholders covered by the plans;
(B) May not cancel coverage under the plans for 180 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph if coverage is discontinued in the entire state or,
except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, in a
specified service area;
(C) May not cancel coverage under the plans for 90 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph if coverage is discontinued in a specified service area
because of an inability to reach an agreement with the health
care providers or organization of health care providers to
provide services under the plans within the service area; and
(D) Must discontinue offering or renewing, or offering and
renewing, all health benefit plans issued by the carrier in the
small employer market in this state or in the specified service
area.
(f) When the carrier discontinues offering and renewing a small
employer health benefit plan in a specified service area within
this state because of an inability to reach an agreement with the
health care providers or organization of health care providers to
provide services under the plan within the service area. In order
to discontinue a plan under this paragraph, the carrier:
(A) Must give notice to the director and to all policyholders
covered by the plan;
(B) May not cancel coverage under the plan for 90 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph; and
(C) Must offer in writing to each small employer covered by the
plan, all other small employer health benefit plans that the
carrier offers in the specified service area. The carrier shall
issue any such plans pursuant to the provisions of ORS 743.733 to
743.737. The carrier shall offer the plans at least 90 days prior
to discontinuation.
(g) When the carrier discontinues offering or renewing, or
offering and renewing, a health benefit plan for all small
employers in this state or in a specified service area within
this state, other than a plan discontinued under paragraph (f) of
this subsection. With respect to plans that are being
discontinued, the carrier must:
(A) Offer in writing to each small employer covered by the
plan, all health benefit plans that the carrier offers in the
specified service area.
(B) Issue any such plans pursuant to the provisions of ORS
743.733 to 743.737.
(C) Offer the plans at least { - 180 - } { + 90 + } days
prior to discontinuation.
(D) Act uniformly without regard to the claims experience of
the affected policyholders or the health status of any current or
prospective enrollee.
(h) When the director orders the carrier to discontinue
coverage in accordance with procedures specified or approved by
the director upon finding that the continuation of the coverage
would:
(A) Not be in the best interests of the enrollees; or
(B) Impair the carrier's ability to meet contractual
obligations.
(i) When, in the case of a small employer health benefit plan
that delivers covered services through a specified network of
health care providers, there is no longer any enrollee who lives,
resides or works in the service area of the provider network.
(j) When, in the case of a health benefit plan that is offered
in the small employer market only through one or more bona fide
associations, the membership of an employer in the association
ceases and the termination of coverage is not related to the
health status of any enrollee.
(k) For misuse of a provider network provision. As used in this
paragraph, 'misuse of a provider network provision' means a
disruptive, unruly or abusive action taken by an enrollee that
threatens the physical health or well-being of health care staff
and seriously impairs the ability of the carrier or its
participating providers to provide services to an enrollee. An
enrollee under this paragraph retains the rights of an enrollee
under ORS 743.804.
{ + (L) A small employer carrier may modify a small employer
health benefit plan at the time of coverage renewal. The
modification is not a discontinuation of the plan under
paragraphs (e) and (g) of this subsection. + }
(6) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (5) of this
section to the contrary, any small employer carrier health
benefit plan subject to the provisions of ORS 743.733 to 743.737
may be rescinded by a small employer carrier for fraud, material
misrepresentation or concealment by a small employer and the
coverage of an enrollee may be rescinded for fraud, material
misrepresentation or concealment by the enrollee.
(7) A small employer carrier may continue to enforce reasonable
employer participation and contribution requirements on small
employers applying for coverage. However, participation and
contribution requirements shall be applied uniformly among all
small employer groups with the same number of eligible employees
applying for coverage or receiving coverage from the small
employer carrier. In determining minimum participation
requirements, a carrier shall count only those employees who are
not covered by an existing group health benefit plan, Medicaid,
Medicare, CHAMPUS, Indian Health Service or a publicly sponsored
or subsidized health plan, including but not limited to the
Oregon Health Plan.
(8) Premium rates for small employer health benefit plans
subject to ORS 743.733 to 743.737 shall be subject to the
following provisions:
(a) Each small employer carrier issuing health benefit plans to
small employers must file its geographic average rate for a
rating period with the director on or before March 15 of each
year.
(b)(A) The premium rates charged during a rating period for
health benefit plans issued to small employers shall not vary
from the geographic average rate by more than the following:
(i) 50 percent on October 1, 1996; and
(ii) 33 percent on October 1, 1999.
(B) The variations in premium rates described in subparagraph
(A) of this paragraph shall be based solely on differences in the
ages of participating employees, except that the premium rate may
be adjusted to reflect the provision of benefits not required to
be covered by the basic health benefit plan and differences in
family composition. In addition:
(i) A small employer carrier shall apply uniformly the
carrier's schedule of age adjustments for small employer groups
as approved by the director; and
(ii) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the premium
rate established for a health benefit plan by a small employer
carrier shall apply uniformly to all employees of the small
employer enrolled in that plan.
(c) The variation in premium rates between different small
employer health benefit plans offered by a small employer carrier
must be based solely on objective differences in plan design or
coverage and must not include differences based on the risk
characteristics of groups assumed to select a particular health
benefit plan.
(d) A small employer carrier may not increase the rates of a
health benefit plan issued to a small employer more than once in
a 12-month period. Annual rate increases shall be effective on
the plan anniversary date of the health benefit plan issued to a
small employer. The percentage increase in the premium rate
charged to a small employer for a new rating period may not
exceed the sum of the following:
(A) The percentage change in the geographic average rate
measured from the first day of the prior rating period to the
first day of the new period; and
(B) Any adjustment attributable to changes in age, except an
additional adjustment may be made to reflect the provision of
benefits not required to be covered by the basic health benefit
plan and differences in family composition.
(e) Premium rates for health benefit plans shall comply with
the requirements of this section.
(9) In connection with the offering for sale of any health
benefit plan to a small employer, each small employer carrier
shall make a reasonable disclosure as part of its solicitation
and sales materials of:
(a) The full array of health benefit plans that are offered to
small employers by the carrier;
(b) The authority of the carrier to adjust rates, and the
extent to which the carrier will consider age, family composition
and geographic factors in establishing and adjusting rates;
(c) Provisions relating to renewability of policies and
contracts; and
(d) Provisions affecting any preexisting conditions provision.
(10)(a) Each small employer carrier shall maintain at its
principal place of business a complete and detailed description
of its rating practices and renewal underwriting practices,
including information and documentation that demonstrate that its
rating methods and practices are based upon commonly accepted
actuarial practices and are in accordance with sound actuarial
principles.
(b) Each small employer carrier shall file with the director
annually on or before March 15 an actuarial certification that
the carrier is in compliance with ORS 743.733 to 743.737 and that
the rating methods of the small employer carrier are actuarially
sound. Each such certification shall be in a uniform form and
manner and shall contain such information as specified by the
director. A copy of such certification shall be retained by the
small employer carrier at its principal place of business.
(c) A small employer carrier shall make the information and
documentation described in paragraph (a) of this subsection
available to the director upon request. Except in cases of
violations of ORS 743.733 to 743.737, the information shall be
considered proprietary and trade secret information and shall not
be subject to disclosure by the director to persons outside the
Department of Consumer and Business Services except as agreed to
by the small employer carrier or as ordered by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
(11) A small employer carrier shall not provide any financial
or other incentive to any agent that would encourage such agent
to market and sell health benefit plans of the carrier to small
employer groups based on a small employer group's anticipated
claims experience.
(12) For purposes of this section, the date a small employer
health benefit plan is continued shall be the anniversary date of
the first issuance of the health benefit plan.
(13) A small employer carrier must include a provision that
offers coverage to all eligible employees and to all dependents
to the extent the employer chooses to offer coverage to
dependents.
(14) All small employer health benefit plans shall contain
special enrollment periods during which eligible employees and
dependents may enroll for coverage, as provided in 42 U.S.C.
300gg as amended and in effect on July 1, 1997.
(15) All small employer health benefit plans must include the
benefit provisions of the federal Women's Health and Cancer
Rights Act of 1998, P.L. 105-277.
SECTION 13. ORS 743.754 is amended to read:
743.754. The following requirements apply to all group health
benefit plans covering two or more certificate holders:
(1) A preexisting conditions provision in a group health
benefit plan shall apply only to a condition for which medical
advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received
during the six-month period immediately preceding the enrollment
date of an enrollee or late enrollee. As used in this section,
the enrollment date of an enrollee shall be the earlier of the
effective date of coverage or the first day of any required group
eligibility waiting period and the enrollment date of a late
enrollee shall be the effective date of coverage.
(2) A preexisting conditions provision in a group health
benefit plan shall terminate its effect as follows:
(a) For an enrollee not later than the first of the following
dates:
(A) Six months following the enrollee's effective date of
coverage; or
(B) Twelve months following the start of any required group
eligibility waiting period.
(b) For a late enrollee, not later than 12 months following the
late enrollee's effective date of coverage.
(3) In applying a preexisting conditions provision to an
enrollee or late enrollee, except as provided in this subsection,
all group benefit plans shall reduce the duration of the
provision by an amount equal to the enrollee's or late enrollee's
aggregate periods of creditable coverage if the most recent
period of creditable coverage is ongoing or ended within 63 days
of the enrollment date in the new group health benefit plan. The
crediting of prior coverage in accordance with this subsection
shall be applied without regard to the specific benefits covered
during the prior period. This subsection does not preclude,
within a group health benefit plan, application of:
(a) An affiliation period that does not exceed two months for
an enrollee or three months for a late enrollee; or
(b) An exclusion period for specified covered services
applicable to all individuals enrolling for the first time in the
group health benefit plan.
(4) Late enrollees may be excluded from coverage for up to 12
months or may be subjected to a preexisting conditions provision
for up to 12 months. If both an exclusion from coverage period
and a preexisting conditions provision are applicable to a late
enrollee, the combined period shall not exceed 12 months.
(5) All group health benefit plans shall contain special
enrollment periods during which eligible employees and dependents
may enroll for coverage, as provided in 42 U.S.C. 300gg as
amended and in effect on July 1, 1997.
(6) Each group health benefit plan shall be renewable with
respect to all eligible enrollees at the option of the
policyholder except:
(a) For nonpayment of the required premiums by the
policyholder.
(b) For fraud or misrepresentation of the policyholder or, with
respect to coverage of individual enrollees, the enrollees or
their representatives.
(c) When the number of enrollees covered under the plan is less
than the number or percentage of enrollees required by
participation requirements under the plan.
(d) For noncompliance with the carrier's employer contribution
requirements under the health benefit plan.
(e) When the carrier discontinues offering or renewing, or
offering and renewing, all of its group health benefit plans in
this state or in a specified service area within this state. In
order to discontinue plans under this paragraph, the carrier:
(A) Must give notice of the decision to the Director of the
Department of Consumer and Business Services and to all
policyholders covered by the plans;
(B) May not cancel coverage under the plans for 180 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph if coverage is discontinued in the entire state or,
except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, in a
specified service area;
(C) May not cancel coverage under the plans for 90 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph if coverage is discontinued in a specified service area
because of an inability to reach an agreement with the health
care providers or organization of health care providers to
provide services under the plans within the service area; and
(D) Must discontinue offering or renewing, or offering and
renewing, all health benefit plans issued by the carrier in the
group market in this state or in the specified service area.
(f) When the carrier discontinues offering and renewing a group
health benefit plan in a specified service area within this state
because of an inability to reach an agreement with the health
care providers or organization of health care providers to
provide services under the plan within the service area. In order
to discontinue a plan under this paragraph, the carrier:
(A) Must give notice of the decision to the director and to all
policyholders covered by the plan;
(B) May not cancel coverage under the plan for 90 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph; and
(C) Must offer in writing to each policyholder covered by the
plan, all other group health benefit plans that the carrier
offers in the specified service area. The carrier shall offer the
plans at least 90 days prior to discontinuation.
(g) When the carrier discontinues offering or renewing, or
offering and renewing, a health benefit plan for all groups in
this state or in a specified service area within this state,
other than a plan discontinued under paragraph (f) of this
subsection. With respect to plans that are being discontinued,
the carrier must:
(A) Offer in writing to each policyholder covered by the plan,
one or more health benefit plans that the carrier offers in the
specified service area.
(B) Offer the plans at least { - 180 - } { + 90 + } days
prior to discontinuation.
(C) Act uniformly without regard to the claims experience of
the affected policyholders or the health status of any current or
prospective enrollee.
(h) When the director orders the carrier to discontinue
coverage in accordance with procedures specified or approved by
the director upon finding that the continuation of the coverage
would:
(A) Not be in the best interests of the enrollees; or
(B) Impair the carrier's ability to meet contractual
obligations.
(i) When, in the case of a group health benefit plan that
delivers covered services through a specified network of health
care providers, there is no longer any enrollee who lives,
resides or works in the service area of the provider network.
(j) When, in the case of a health benefit plan that is offered
in the group market only through one or more bona fide
associations, the membership of an employer in the association
ceases and the termination of coverage is not related to the
health status of any enrollee.
(k) For misuse of a provider network provision. As used in this
paragraph, 'misuse of a provider network provision' means a
disruptive, unruly or abusive action taken by an enrollee that
threatens the physical health or well-being of health care staff
and seriously impairs the ability of the carrier or its
participating providers to provide services to an enrollee. An
enrollee under this paragraph retains the rights of an enrollee
under ORS 743.804.
{ + (L) A carrier may modify a group health benefit plan at
the time of coverage renewal. The modification is not a
discontinuation of the plan under paragraphs (e) and (g) of this
subsection. + }
(7) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (6) of this
section to the contrary, a group health benefit plan may be
rescinded by a carrier for fraud, material misrepresentation or
concealment by a policyholder and the coverage of an enrollee may
be rescinded for fraud, material misrepresentation or concealment
by the enrollee.
(8) A carrier that continues to offer coverage in the group
market in this state is not required to offer coverage in all of
the carrier's group health benefit plans. If a carrier, however,
elects to continue a plan that is closed to new policyholders
instead of offering alternative coverage in its other group
health benefit plans, the coverage for all existing policyholders
in the closed plan is renewable in accordance with subsection (6)
of this section.
(9) All group health benefit plans must include the benefit
provisions of the federal Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of
1998, P.L. 105-277.
(10) This section applies only to group health benefit plans
that are not small employer health benefit plans.
SECTION 14. ORS 743.766 is amended to read:
743.766. (1) All carriers who offer individual health benefit
plans and evaluate the health status of individuals for purposes
of eligibility shall use the standard health statement
established by the Health Insurance Reform Advisory Committee and
may not use any other method to determine the health status of an
individual. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a carrier
from using health information after enrollment for the purpose of
providing services or arranging for the provision of services
under a health benefit plan.
(2)(a) If an individual is accepted for coverage under an
individual health benefit plan, the carrier shall not impose
exclusions or limitations on coverage greater than:
(A) A preexisting conditions provision that complies with the
following requirements:
(i) The provision shall apply only to a condition for which
medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or
received during the six-month period immediately preceding the
individual's effective date of coverage; and
(ii) The provision shall terminate its effect no later than six
months following the individual's effective date of coverage;
(B) An individual coverage waiting period of 90 days; or
(C) An exclusion period for specified covered services
applicable to all individuals enrolling for the first time in the
individual health benefit plan.
(b) Pregnancy may constitute a preexisting condition for
purposes of this section.
(3) If the carrier elects to restrict coverage through the
application of a preexisting conditions provision or an
individual coverage waiting period provision, the carrier shall
reduce the duration of the provision by an amount equal to the
individual's aggregate periods of creditable coverage if the most
recent period of creditable coverage is ongoing or ended within
63 days of the effective date of coverage in the new individual
health benefit plan. The crediting of prior coverage in
accordance with this subsection shall be applied without regard
to the specific benefits covered during the prior period.
(4) If an eligible prospective enrollee is rejected for
coverage under an individual health benefit plan, the prospective
enrollee shall be eligible to apply for coverage under the Oregon
Medical Insurance Pool.
(5) If a carrier accepts an individual for coverage under an
individual health benefit plan, the carrier shall renew the
policy except:
(a) For nonpayment of the required premiums by the
policyholder.
(b) For fraud or misrepresentation by the policyholder.
(c) When the carrier discontinues offering or renewing, or
offering and renewing, all of its individual health benefit plans
in this state or in a specified service area within this state.
In order to discontinue the plans under this paragraph, the
carrier:
(A) Must give notice of the decision to the Director of the
Department of Consumer and Business Services and to all
policyholders covered by the plans;
(B) May not cancel coverage under the plans for 180 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph if coverage is discontinued in the entire state or,
except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, in a
specified service area;
(C) May not cancel coverage under the plans for 90 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph if coverage is discontinued in a specified service area
because of an inability to reach an agreement with the health
care providers or organization of health care providers to
provide services under the plans within the service area; and
(D) Must discontinue offering or renewing, or offering and
renewing, all health benefit plans issued by the carrier in the
individual market in this state or in the specified service area.
(d) When the carrier discontinues offering and renewing an
individual health benefit plan in a specified service area within
this state because of an inability to reach an agreement with the
health care providers or organization of health care providers to
provide services under the plan within the service area. In order
to discontinue a plan under this paragraph, the carrier:
(A) Must give notice of the decision to the director and to all
policyholders covered by the plan;
(B) May not cancel coverage under the plan for 90 days after
the date of the notice required under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph; and
(C) Must offer in writing to each policyholder covered by the
plan, all other individual health benefit plans that the carrier
offers in the specified service area. The carrier shall offer the
plans at least 90 days prior to discontinuation.
(e) When the carrier discontinues offering or renewing, or
offering and renewing, an individual health benefit plan for all
individuals in this state or in a specified service area within
this state, other than a plan discontinued under paragraph (d) of
this subsection. With respect to plans that are being
discontinued, the carrier must:
(A) Offer in writing to each policyholder covered by the plan,
one or more individual health benefit plans that the carrier
offers in the specified service area.
(B) Offer the plans at least { - 180 - } { + 90 + } days
prior to discontinuation.
(C) Act uniformly without regard to the claims experience of
the affected policyholders or the health status of any current or
prospective enrollee.
(f) When the director orders the carrier to discontinue
coverage in accordance with procedures specified or approved by
the director upon finding that the continuation of the coverage
would:
(A) Not be in the best interests of the enrollee; or
(B) Impair the carrier's ability to meet its contractual
obligations.
(g) When, in the case of an individual health benefit plan that
delivers covered services through a specified network of health
care providers, the enrollee no longer lives, resides or works in
the service area of the provider network and the termination of
coverage is not related to the health status of any enrollee.
(h) When, in the case of a health benefit plan that is offered
in the individual market only through one or more bona fide
associations, the membership of an individual in the association
ceases and the termination of coverage is not related to the
health status of any enrollee.
(i) For misuse of a provider network provision. As used in this
paragraph, 'misuse of a provider network provision' means a
disruptive, unruly or abusive action taken by an enrollee that
threatens the physical health or well-being of health care staff
and seriously impairs the ability of the carrier or its
participating providers to provide service to an enrollee. An
enrollee under this paragraph retains the rights of an enrollee
under ORS 743.804.
{ + (j) A carrier may modify an individual health benefit
plan at the time of coverage renewal. The modification is not a
discontinuation of the plan under paragraphs (c) and (e) of this
subsection. + }
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
carrier may rescind an individual health benefit plan for fraud,
material misrepresentation or concealment by an enrollee.
(7) A carrier that withdraws from the market for individual
health benefit plans must continue to renew its portability
health benefit plans that have been approved pursuant to ORS
743.761.
(8) A carrier that continues to offer coverage in the
individual market in this state is not required to offer coverage
in all of the carrier's individual health benefit plans. However,
if a carrier elects to continue a plan that is closed to new
individual policyholders instead of offering alternative coverage
in its other individual health benefit plans, the coverage for
all existing policyholders in the closed plan is renewable in
accordance with subsection (5) of this section.
(9) All individual health benefit plans must include the
benefit provisions of the federal Women's Health and Cancer
Rights Act of 1998, P.L. 105-277.
SECTION 15. ORS 652.710 is amended to read:
652.710. (1) All moneys collected by an employer from employees
or retained from their wages for the purpose of providing for or
furnishing to such employees medical and surgical attention,
hospital care, X-rays, ambulance, nursing or any related service
or care contingent upon sickness or injury pursuant to a contract
are trust funds and shall be placed and kept in separate accounts
by the employer and shall promptly be paid over to the
contractor. Such funds shall in no event become a part of the
assets of the employer.
(2) If the employer fails to place and keep such funds in
separate accounts and pay them over to the contractor or if the
funds become commingled with the funds of the employer and the
employer becomes bankrupt, insolvent or goes through voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, or if a receiver is appointed to operate
or liquidate the affairs of the employer, the funds not paid to
the contractor shall be entitled to the same preference as given
to claims of the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation, as
provided in ORS 656.562.
(3) On and after July 1, 1992, when an employer that is a group
health insurance policyholder subject to the provisions of ORS
743.560 receives notice that the group health insurance policy is
terminated by the insurer and the employer does not replace
coverage with any other group health insurance policy, the
employer shall notify all employees who were covered under the
terminated group policy. The employer's notification to the
employees shall:
(a) Explain the employee's rights regarding continuation or
conversion of coverage under state and federal law; and
(b) Be delivered to each employee in person or to the
employee's home address as recorded in the employer's records not
later than 10 working days after the receipt of notice from the
insurer pursuant to ORS 743.560 { - (1) to - } (3) { + to
(5) + }.
(4) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may assess a
civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation of
subsection (1) or (3) of this section.
(5) Civil penalties under this section shall be imposed as
provided in ORS 183.090.
(6) All sums collected as penalties pursuant to this section
shall be first applied toward reimbursement of the costs incurred
in determining the violations, conducting hearings under this
section and assessing and collecting such penalties. The
remainder, if any, of the sums collected as penalties pursuant to
this section shall be paid over by the commissioner to the
Division of State Lands for the benefit of the Common School Fund
of this state. The division shall issue a receipt for the money
to the commissioner.
(7) The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries may
adopt rules reasonably necessary for the administration of this
section.
SECTION 16. { + The Director of the Department of Consumer and
Business Services shall adopt rules necessary for the
implementation and administration of section 8 of this 2001 Act
and the amendments to ORS 743.417, 743.420, 743.560, 743.737,
743.754 and 743.766 by sections 9 to 14 of this 2001 Act. + }
SECTION 17. { + Section 8 of this 2001 Act and the amendments
to ORS 743.417, 743.420, 743.560, 743.737, 743.754 and 743.766 by
sections 9 to 14 of this 2001 Act apply to individual or group
health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after the
operative date of section 8 of this 2001 Act and the amendments
to ORS 743.417, 743.420, 743.560, 743.737, 743.754 and 743.766 by
sections 9 to 14 of this 2001 Act. + }
SECTION 18. { + Section 8 of this 2001 Act and the amendments
to ORS 652.710, 743.417, 743.420, 743.560, 743.737, 743.754 and
743.766 by sections 9 to 15 of this 2001 Act become operative
January 1, 2002. + }
SECTION 19. ORS 653.715 is amended to read:
653.715. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly by
enactment of ORS 653.705 to 653.850 to increase access to health
insurance and health care by providing:
(1) Information about health benefit plans and the premiums
charged for those plans to self-employed individuals and small
employers in Oregon;
(2) Direct assistance to health insurance agents and health
insurance consumers regarding health benefit plans; { - and - }
(3) A central source for information about resources for health
care and health insurance { - . - } { + ; and
(4) Health benefit plans for small employers that have not
provided a group health benefit plan for eligible employees for a
period of at least one year. + }
SECTION 20. ORS 653.745 is amended to read:
653.745. (1) In carrying out its duties under ORS 653.705 to
653.850, the Insurance Pool Governing Board shall:
(a) Enter into contracts for administration of ORS 653.705 to
653.850 including collection of premiums and paying carriers.
(b) Retain consultants and employ staff.
{ + (c) Enter into contracts with carriers or health care
providers for health benefit plans, including contracts where
final payment may be reduced if usage is below a level fixed in
the contract.
(d) Set premium rates for eligible employees and small
employers.
(e) Perform other duties to provide low-cost health benefit
plans of types likely to be purchased by small employers.
(f) Establish contributions to be paid by small employers
toward the premiums incurred on behalf of covered eligible
employees.
(2) Notwithstanding any other health benefit plan contracted
for and offered by the board, the board shall contract for a
health benefit plan or plans best designed to meet the needs and
provide for the welfare of eligible employees and small
employers.
(3) The board may approve more than one carrier for each type
of plan contracted for and offered, but the number of carriers
shall be held to a number consistent with adequate service to
eligible employees and family members.
(4) Where appropriate for a contracted and offered health
benefit plan, the board shall provide options under which an
eligible employee may arrange coverage for family members of the
employee.
(5) In developing any health benefit plan, the board may
provide an option of additional coverage for eligible employees
and family members at an additional cost or premium.
(6) Transfer of enrollment from one health benefit plan to
another shall be open to all eligible employees and family
members under rules adopted by the board.
(7) If the board requests less health care service or benefit
than is otherwise required by state law, a carrier is not
required to offer such service or benefit.
(8) Health benefit plans for small employers contracted for and
offered by the board must provide a sufficient level of benefits
to be eligible for a subsidy under ORS 653.810. + }
{ - (2) - } { + (9) + } The board may employ whatever means
are reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of ORS 653.705
to 653.850. Such authority includes but is not limited to
authority to seek clarification, amendment, modification,
suspension or termination of any agreement or contract which in
the board's judgment requires such action.
SECTION 21. { + This 2001 Act being necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an
emergency is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect on
its passage. + }
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