[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10208-02-7
A. 11340 2
BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. IN DEFINING THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER
PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL:
(A) ENSURE THAT SUCH ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS REFLECT AN APPROPRIATE
BALANCE AMONG THE CATEGORIES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS
SUBSECTION SO THAT BENEFITS ARE NOT UNDULY WEIGHTED TOWARD ANY CATEGORY;
(B) NOT MAKE COVERAGE DECISIONS, DETERMINE REIMBURSEMENT RATES, ESTAB-
LISH INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, OR DESIGN BENEFITS IN WAYS THAT DISCRIMINATE
AGAINST INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, DISABILITY, OR EXPECTED LENGTH
OF LIFE;
(C) TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF DIVERSE SEGMENTS OF THE
POPULATION, INCLUDING WOMEN, CHILDREN, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND
OTHER GROUPS;
(D) ENSURE THAT HEALTH BENEFITS ESTABLISHED AS ESSENTIAL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO DENIAL TO INDIVIDUALS AGAINST THEIR WISHES ON THE BASIS OF
THE INDIVIDUALS' AGE OR EXPECTED LENGTH OF LIFE OR OF THE INDIVIDUALS'
PRESENT OR PREDICTED DISABILITY, DEGREE OF MEDICAL DEPENDENCY, OR QUALI-
TY OF LIFE;
(E) PROVIDE THAT A QUALIFIED HEALTH PLAN SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS
PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN PARA-
GRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS THE PLAN PROVIDES THAT:
(I) COVERAGE FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH-
OUT IMPOSING ANY REQUIREMENT UNDER THE PLAN FOR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF
SERVICES OR ANY LIMITATION ON COVERAGE WHERE THE PROVIDER OF SERVICES
DOES NOT HAVE A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAN FOR THE PROVIDING
OF SERVICES THAT IS MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OR LIMITA-
TIONS THAT APPLY TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES RECEIVED FROM PROVID-
ERS WHO DO HAVE SUCH A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAN; AND
(II) IF SUCH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED OUT-OF-NETWORK, THE COST-SHARING
REQUIREMENT, EXPRESSED AS A COPAYMENT AMOUNT OR COINSURANCE RATE, IS THE
SAME REQUIREMENT THAT WOULD APPLY IF SUCH SERVICES WERE PROVIDED IN-NET-
WORK;
(F) PROVIDE THAT IF A STAND-ALONE DENTAL BENEFITS PLAN IS OFFERED
THROUGH AN EXCHANGE, ANOTHER HEALTH PLAN OFFERED THROUGH SUCH EXCHANGE
SHALL NOT FAIL TO BE TREATED AS A QUALIFIED HEALTH PLAN SOLELY BECAUSE
THE PLAN DOES NOT OFFER COVERAGE OF BENEFITS OFFERED THROUGH THE STAND-
ALONE PLAN THAT ARE OTHERWISE REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (G) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH; AND
(G) PERIODICALLY UPDATE THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER PARAGRAPH
ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION TO ADDRESS ANY GAPS IN ACCESS TO COVERAGE.
(D) COST-SHARING REQUIREMENTS. (1) THERE SHALL BE AN ANNUAL LIMITATION
ON COST-SHARING. (A) THE COST-SHARING INCURRED UNDER A HEALTH PLAN WITH
RESPECT TO SELF-ONLY COVERAGE OR COVERAGE OTHER THAN SELF-ONLY COVERAGE
FOR A PLAN YEAR BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN SHALL NOT EXCEED THE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN EFFECT FOR SELF-ONLY AND FAMILY COVERAGE, RESPECTIVE-
LY, FOR TAXABLE YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN.
(B) IN THE CASE OF ANY PLAN YEAR BEGINNING IN A CALENDAR YEAR AFTER
TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, THE LIMITATION UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL:
(I) IN THE CASE OF SELF-ONLY COVERAGE, BE EQUAL TO THE DOLLAR AMOUNT
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS PARAGRAPH FOR SELF-ONLY COVERAGE FOR PLAN
YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT EQUAL
TO THE PRODUCT OF THAT AMOUNT AND THE PREMIUM ADJUSTMENT PERCENTAGE
UNDER PARAGRAPH THREE OF THIS SUBSECTION FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR; AND
(II) IN THE CASE OF OTHER COVERAGE, TWICE THE AMOUNT IN EFFECT UNDER
CLAUSE (I) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. IF THE AMOUNT OF ANY INCREASE UNDER
CLAUSE (I) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH IS NOT A MULTIPLE OF FIFTY DOLLARS, SUCH
INCREASE SHALL BE ROUNDED TO THE NEXT LOWEST MULTIPLE OF FIFTY DOLLARS.
A. 11340 3
(2) (A) THE TERM "COST-SHARING" SHALL INCLUDE:
(I) DEDUCTIBLES, COINSURANCE, COPAYMENTS, OR SIMILAR CHARGES; AND
(II) ANY OTHER EXPENDITURE REQUIRED OF AN INSURED INDIVIDUAL WHICH IS
A QUALIFIED MEDICAL EXPENSE WITH RESPECT TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS
COVERED UNDER THE PLAN.
(B) SUCH TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE PREMIUMS, BALANCE BILLING AMOUNTS FOR
NON-NETWORK PROVIDERS, OR SPENDING FOR NON-COVERED SERVICES.
(3) FOR PURPOSES OF CLAUSE (I) OF SUBPARAGRAPH (B) OF PARAGRAPH ONE OF
THIS SUBSECTION, THE PREMIUM ADJUSTMENT PERCENTAGE FOR ANY CALENDAR YEAR
IS THE PERCENTAGE, IF ANY, BY WHICH THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA PREMIUM FOR
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE PRECEDING CALEN-
DAR YEAR EXCEEDS SUCH AVERAGE PER CAPITA PREMIUM FOR THE YEAR TWO THOU-
SAND THIRTEEN.
(E) LEVELS OF COVERAGE. (1) LEVELS OF COVERAGE DESCRIBED IN THIS
SUBSECTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) BRONZE LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE BRONZE LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF
COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO SIXTY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(B) SILVER LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE SILVER LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF
COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENE-
FITS PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(C) GOLD LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE GOLD LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF
COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(D) PLATINUM LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE PLATINUM LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL
OF COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO NINETY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(2) (A) ACTUARIAL VALUE. UNDER REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTEN-
DENT, THE LEVEL OF COVERAGE OF A PLAN SHALL BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS
THAT THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS
SECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED TO A STANDARD POPULATION AND WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE POPULATION THE PLAN MAY ACTUALLY PROVIDE BENEFITS TO.
(B) EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS. THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ISSUE REGULATIONS
UNDER WHICH EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT MAY BE
TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
§ 2. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 4306-h to
read as follows:
§ 4306-H. ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS PACKAGE. (A) COVERAGE REQUIRED. NO
CORPORATION SUBJECT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL DECLINE TO PROVIDE AN ESSEN-
TIAL HEALTH BENEFITS PACKAGE AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
(B) DEFINITION. THE TERM "ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS PACKAGE" MEANS,
WITH RESPECT TO ANY HEALTH PLAN, COVERAGE THAT PROVIDES FOR THE ESSEN-
TIAL HEALTH BENEFITS AS DEFINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT UNDER SUBSECTION
(C) OF THIS SECTION; LIMITS COST-SHARING FOR SUCH COVERAGE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION; AND SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (D) OF
THIS SECTION, PROVIDES EITHER BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD OR PLATINUM LEVEL OF
COVERAGE AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION.
(C) SUPERINTENDENT'S POWERS AND DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO ESSENTIAL
HEALTH BENEFITS. (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE
SUPERINTENDENT SHALL DEFINE THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS, EXCEPT THAT
SUCH BENEFITS SHALL INCLUDE AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CATEGORIES
AND THE ITEMS AND SERVICES COVERED WITHIN SUCH CATEGORIES: (I) AMBULATO-
A. 11340 4
RY PATIENT SERVICES, (II) EMERGENCY SERVICES, (III) HOSPITALIZATION,
(IV) MATERNITY AND NEWBORN CARE, (V) MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER SERVICES, INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT, (VI)
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, (VII) REHABILITATIVE AND HABILITATIVE SERVICES AND
DEVICES, (VIII) LABORATORY SERVICES, (IX) PREVENTIVE AND WELLNESS
SERVICES AND CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT, AND (X) PEDIATRIC SERVICES,
INCLUDING ORAL AND VISION CARE.
(2) THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ENSURE THAT THE SCOPE OF THE ESSENTIAL
HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION IS EQUAL TO THE
SCOPE OF BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER A TYPICAL EMPLOYER PLAN, AS DETERMINED
BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. IN DEFINING THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER
PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL:
(A) ENSURE THAT SUCH ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS REFLECT AN APPROPRIATE
BALANCE AMONG THE CATEGORIES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS
SUBSECTION SO THAT BENEFITS ARE NOT UNDULY WEIGHTED TOWARD ANY CATEGORY;
(B) NOT MAKE COVERAGE DECISIONS, DETERMINE REIMBURSEMENT RATES, ESTAB-
LISH INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, OR DESIGN BENEFITS IN WAYS THAT DISCRIMINATE
AGAINST INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, DISABILITY, OR EXPECTED LENGTH
OF LIFE;
(C) TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF DIVERSE SEGMENTS OF THE
POPULATION, INCLUDING WOMEN, CHILDREN, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND
OTHER GROUPS;
(D) ENSURE THAT HEALTH BENEFITS ESTABLISHED AS ESSENTIAL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO DENIAL TO INDIVIDUALS AGAINST THEIR WISHES ON THE BASIS OF
THE INDIVIDUALS' AGE OR EXPECTED LENGTH OF LIFE OR OF THE INDIVIDUALS'
PRESENT OR PREDICTED DISABILITY, DEGREE OF MEDICAL DEPENDENCY, OR QUALI-
TY OF LIFE;
(E) PROVIDE THAT A QUALIFIED HEALTH PLAN SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS
PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN PARA-
GRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS THE PLAN PROVIDES THAT:
(I) COVERAGE FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH-
OUT IMPOSING ANY REQUIREMENT UNDER THE PLAN FOR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF
SERVICES OR ANY LIMITATION ON COVERAGE WHERE THE PROVIDER OF SERVICES
DOES NOT HAVE A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAN FOR THE PROVIDING
OF SERVICES THAT IS MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OR LIMITA-
TIONS THAT APPLY TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES RECEIVED FROM PROVID-
ERS WHO DO HAVE SUCH A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAN; AND
(II) IF SUCH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED OUT-OF-NETWORK, THE COST-SHARING
REQUIREMENT, EXPRESSED AS A COPAYMENT AMOUNT OR COINSURANCE RATE, IS THE
SAME REQUIREMENT THAT WOULD APPLY IF SUCH SERVICES WERE PROVIDED IN-NET-
WORK;
(F) PROVIDE THAT IF A STAND-ALONE DENTAL BENEFITS PLAN IS OFFERED
THROUGH AN EXCHANGE, ANOTHER HEALTH PLAN OFFERED THROUGH SUCH EXCHANGE
SHALL NOT FAIL TO BE TREATED AS A QUALIFIED HEALTH PLAN SOLELY BECAUSE
THE PLAN DOES NOT OFFER COVERAGE OF BENEFITS OFFERED THROUGH THE STAND-
ALONE PLAN THAT ARE OTHERWISE REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (G) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH; AND
(G) PERIODICALLY UPDATE THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER PARAGRAPH
ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION TO ADDRESS ANY GAPS IN ACCESS TO COVERAGE.
(D) COST-SHARING REQUIREMENTS. (1) THERE SHALL BE AN ANNUAL LIMITATION
ON COST-SHARING. (A) THE COST-SHARING INCURRED UNDER A HEALTH PLAN WITH
RESPECT TO SELF-ONLY COVERAGE OR COVERAGE OTHER THAN SELF-ONLY COVERAGE
FOR A PLAN YEAR BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN SHALL NOT EXCEED THE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN EFFECT FOR SELF-ONLY AND FAMILY COVERAGE, RESPECTIVE-
LY, FOR TAXABLE YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN.
A. 11340 5
(B) IN THE CASE OF ANY PLAN YEAR BEGINNING IN A CALENDAR YEAR AFTER
TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, THE LIMITATION UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL:
(I) IN THE CASE OF SELF-ONLY COVERAGE, BE EQUAL TO THE DOLLAR AMOUNT
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS PARAGRAPH FOR SELF-ONLY COVERAGE FOR PLAN
YEARS BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN, INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT EQUAL
TO THE PRODUCT OF THAT AMOUNT AND THE PREMIUM ADJUSTMENT PERCENTAGE
UNDER PARAGRAPH THREE OF THIS SUBSECTION FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR; AND
(II) IN THE CASE OF OTHER COVERAGE, TWICE THE AMOUNT IN EFFECT UNDER
CLAUSE (I) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. IF THE AMOUNT OF ANY INCREASE UNDER
CLAUSE (I) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH IS NOT A MULTIPLE OF FIFTY DOLLARS, SUCH
INCREASE SHALL BE ROUNDED TO THE NEXT LOWEST MULTIPLE OF FIFTY DOLLARS.
(2) (A) THE TERM "COST-SHARING" SHALL INCLUDE:
(I) DEDUCTIBLES, COINSURANCE, COPAYMENTS, OR SIMILAR CHARGES; AND
(II) ANY OTHER EXPENDITURE REQUIRED OF AN INSURED INDIVIDUAL WHICH IS
A QUALIFIED MEDICAL EXPENSE WITH RESPECT TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS
COVERED UNDER THE PLAN.
(B) SUCH TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE PREMIUMS, BALANCE BILLING AMOUNTS FOR
NON-NETWORK PROVIDERS, OR SPENDING FOR NON-COVERED SERVICES.
(3) FOR PURPOSES OF CLAUSE (I) OF SUBPARAGRAPH (B) OF PARAGRAPH ONE OF
THIS SUBSECTION, THE PREMIUM ADJUSTMENT PERCENTAGE FOR ANY CALENDAR YEAR
IS THE PERCENTAGE, IF ANY, BY WHICH THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA PREMIUM FOR
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE PRECEDING CALEN-
DAR YEAR EXCEEDS SUCH AVERAGE PER CAPITA PREMIUM FOR THE YEAR TWO THOU-
SAND THIRTEEN.
(E) LEVELS OF COVERAGE. (1) LEVELS OF COVERAGE DESCRIBED IN THIS
SUBSECTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) BRONZE LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE BRONZE LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF
COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO SIXTY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(B) SILVER LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE SILVER LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF
COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENE-
FITS PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(C) GOLD LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE GOLD LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF
COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(D) PLATINUM LEVEL. A PLAN IN THE PLATINUM LEVEL SHALL PROVIDE A LEVEL
OF COVERAGE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT ARE ACTUARIALLY
EQUIVALENT TO NINETY PERCENT OF THE FULL ACTUARIAL VALUE OF THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(2) (A) ACTUARIAL VALUE. UNDER REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTEN-
DENT, THE LEVEL OF COVERAGE OF A PLAN SHALL BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS
THAT THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS
SECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED TO A STANDARD POPULATION AND WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE POPULATION THE PLAN MAY ACTUALLY PROVIDE BENEFITS TO.
(B) EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS. THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ISSUE REGULATIONS
UNDER WHICH EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT MAY BE
TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
§ 3. Subsection (e) of section 3217-f of the insurance law, as added
by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(e) For purposes of this section, "essential health benefits" shall
have the SAME meaning [ascribed by section 1302(b) of the Affordable
Care Act, 42 U.S.C. § 18022(b)] AS SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN-I OF THIS ARTICLE.
A. 11340 6
§ 4. Subsection (h) and paragraph 19 of subsection (k) of section 3221
of the insurance law, subsection (h) as added by section 54 of part D of
chapter 56 of the laws of 2013 and paragraph 19 of subsection (k) as
amended by chapter 377 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as
follows:
(h) Every small group policy or association group policy delivered or
issued for delivery in this state that provides coverage for hospital,
medical or surgical expense insurance and is not a grandfathered health
plan shall provide coverage for the essential health benefit package as
required in section [2707(a) of the public health service act, 42 U.S.C.
§ 300gg-6(a)] THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN-I OF THIS ARTICLE.
For purposes of this subsection:
(1) "essential health benefits package" shall have the meaning set
forth in [section 1302(a) of the affordable care act, 42 U.S.C. §
18022(a)] SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SEVEN-
TEEN-I OF THIS ARTICLE;
(2) "grandfathered health plan" means coverage provided by an insurer
in which an individual was enrolled on March twenty-third, two thousand
ten for as long as the coverage maintains grandfathered status [in
accordance with section 1251(e) of the affordable care act, 42 U.S.C. §
18011(e)];
(3) "small group" means a group of fifty or fewer employees or members
exclusive of spouses and dependents; provided, however, that beginning
January first, two thousand sixteen, "small group" means a group of one
hundred or fewer employees or members exclusive of spouses and depen-
dents; and
(4) "association group" means a group defined in subparagraphs (B),
(D), (H), (K), (L) or (M) of paragraph one of subsection (c) of section
four thousand two hundred thirty-five of this chapter, provided that:
(A) the group includes one or more individual members; or
(B) the group includes one or more member employers or other member
groups that are small groups.
(19) Every group or blanket accident and health insurance policy
delivered or issued for delivery in this state which provides medical
coverage that includes coverage for physician services in a physician's
office and every policy which provides major medical or similar compre-
hensive-type coverage shall include coverage for equipment and supplies
used for the treatment of ostomies, if prescribed by a physician or
other licensed health care provider legally authorized to prescribe
under title eight of the education law. Such coverage shall be subject
to annual deductibles and coinsurance as deemed appropriate by the
superintendent. The coverage required by this paragraph shall be identi-
cal to, and shall not enhance or increase the coverage required as part
of essential health benefits [as required pursuant to section 2707 (a)
of the public health services act 42 U.S.C. 300 gg-6(a)] SET FORTH IN
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN-I OF THIS ARTICLE.
§ 5. Subsection (d) of section 3240 of the insurance law, as added by
section 41 of part D of chapter 56 of the laws of 2013, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) A student accident and health insurance policy or contract shall
provide coverage for essential health benefits as defined in [section
1302(b) of the affordable care act, 42 U.S.C. § 18022(b)] SUBSECTION (C)
OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN-I OF THIS ARTICLE.
§ 6. Subsection (u-1) of section 4303 of the insurance law, as amended
by chapter 377 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
A. 11340 7
(u-1) A medical expense indemnity corporation or a health service
corporation which provides medical coverage that includes coverage for
physician services in a physician's office and every policy which
provides major medical or similar comprehensive-type coverage shall
include coverage for equipment and supplies used for the treatment of
ostomies, if prescribed by a physician or other licensed health care
provider legally authorized to prescribe under title eight of the educa-
tion law. Such coverage shall be subject to annual deductibles and coin-
surance as deemed appropriate by the superintendent. The coverage
required by this subsection shall be identical to, and shall not enhance
or increase the coverage required as part of essential health benefits
as required pursuant to section [2707(a) of the public health services
act 42 U.S.C. 300 gg-6(a)] FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS
ARTICLE.
§ 7. Subsection (e) of section 4306-e of the insurance law, as added
by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(e) For purposes of this section, "essential health benefits" shall
have the meaning ascribed by [section 1302(b) of the Affordable Care
Act, 42 U.S.C. § 18022(b)] SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND THREE
HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE.
§ 8. Subsections (d) and (e) of section 4326 of the insurance law, as
amended by section 56 of part D of chapter 56 of the laws of 2013, are
amended to read as follows:
(d) A qualifying group health insurance contract shall provide cover-
age for the essential health benefit package as required [in section
2707(a) of the public health service act, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-6(a)] BY
SECTION FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE. For purposes
of this subsection "essential health benefits package" shall have the
meaning set forth in [section 1302(a) of the affordable care act, 42
U.S.C. § 18022(a)] SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED
SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE.
(e) A qualifying group health insurance contract issued to a qualify-
ing small employer prior to January first, two thousand fourteen that
does not include all essential health benefits required pursuant to
section [2707(a) of the public health service act, 42 U.S.C. §
300gg-6(a)] FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE, shall be
discontinued, including grandfathered health plans. For the purposes of
this paragraph, "grandfathered health plans" means coverage provided by
a corporation to individuals who were enrolled on March twenty-third,
two thousand ten for as long as the coverage maintains grandfathered
status [in accordance with section 1251(e) of the affordable care act,
42 U.S.C. § 18011(e)]. A qualifying small employer shall be transitioned
to a plan that provides: (1) a level of coverage that is designed to
provide benefits that are actuarially equivalent to eighty percent of
the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan; and
(2) coverage for the essential health benefit package as required in
section [2707(a) of the public health service act, 42 U.S.C. §
300gg-6(a)] FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE. The
superintendent shall standardize the benefit package and cost sharing
requirements of qualified group health insurance contracts consistent
with coverage offered through the health benefit exchange [established
pursuant to section 1311 of the affordable care act, 42 U.S.C. § 18031].
§ 9. Paragraph 1 of subsection (b) of section 4328 of the insurance
law, as added by section 46 of part D of chapter 56 of the laws of 2013,
is amended to read as follows:
A. 11340 8
(1) The individual enrollee direct payment contract offered pursuant
to this section shall provide coverage for the essential health benefit
package as required in section [2707(a) of the public health service
act, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-6(a)] FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS
ARTICLE. For purposes of this paragraph, "essential health benefits
package" shall have the meaning set forth in [section 1302(a) of the
affordable care act, 42 U.S.C. § 18022(a)] SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION
FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE.
§ 10. Paragraphs (f) and (g) of section 3232 of the insurance law, as
added by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, are amended and a new para-
graph (j) is added to read as follows:
(f) With respect to an individual under age nineteen, an insurer may
not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion in an individual or
group policy of hospital, medical, surgical or prescription drug expense
insurance [pursuant to the requirements of section 2704 of the Public
Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-3, as made effective by section
1255(2) of the Affordable Care Act,] except for an individual under age
nineteen covered under an individual policy of hospital, medical, surgi-
cal or prescription drug expense insurance that is a grandfathered
health plan.
(g) Beginning January first, two thousand fourteen[, pursuant to
section 2704 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-3,] an
insurer may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion in an indi-
vidual or group policy of hospital, medical, surgical or prescription
drug expense insurance except in an individual policy that is a grandfa-
thered health plan.
(J) FOR PURPOSES OF SUBSECTIONS (F) AND (G) OF THIS SECTION, "PRE-EX-
ISTING CONDITION" SHALL MEAN A LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF BENEFITS
RELATING TO A CONDITION BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE CONDITION WAS PRESENT
BEFORE THE DATE OF ENROLLMENT FOR SUCH COVERAGE, WHETHER OR NOT ANY
MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, CARE, OR TREATMENT WAS RECOMMENDED OR
RECEIVED BEFORE SUCH DATE.
§ 11. Subsections (f) and (g) of section 4318 of the insurance law, as
added by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, are amended and a new
subsection (j) is added to read as follows:
(f) With respect to an individual under age nineteen, a corporation
may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion in an individual or
group contract of hospital, medical, surgical or prescription drug
expense insurance pursuant to the requirements of section [2704 of the
Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-3, as made effective by
section 1255(2) of the Affordable Care Act] FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED
SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE, except for an individual under age nineteen
covered under an individual contract of hospital, medical, surgical or
prescription drug expense insurance that is a grandfathered health plan.
(g) Beginning January first, two thousand fourteen, pursuant to
section [2704 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-3]
FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX-H OF THIS ARTICLE, a corporation may not
impose any pre-existing condition exclusion in an individual or group
contract of hospital, medical, surgical or prescription drug expense
insurance except in an individual contract that is a grandfathered
health plan.
(J) FOR PURPOSES OF SUBSECTIONS (F) AND (G) OF THIS SECTION, "PRE-EX-
ISTING EXCLUSION" SHALL MEAN A LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF BENEFITS
RELATING TO A CONDITION BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE CONDITION WAS PRESENT
BEFORE THE DATE OF ENROLLMENT FOR SUCH COVERAGE, WHETHER OR NOT ANY
A. 11340 9
MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, CARE, OR TREATMENT WAS RECOMMENDED OR
RECEIVED BEFORE SUCH DATE.
§ 12. This act shall take effect on such date as the affordable care
act is fully repealed and at such time as the provisions of such act are
no longer in force and effect; provided that the superintendent of
financial services shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission
upon the occurrence of the repeal of the federal Affordable Care Act in
order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective
data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in
furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legisla-
tive law and section 70-b of the public officers law.