Expands employee eligibility for participation in the Insurance Partnership Program to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. • Ensures that Insurance Partnership subsidies are consistent with those provided under the Commonwealth Care program. • Specifies that self-employed individuals enrolled in the Insurance Partnership Program are eligible for employee subsidies only.
Requires creation of a form for employers to verify that they provide section 125 plans. Also requires creation of a form for employers to verify that employees who declined employer sponsored coverage have alternative coverage. Creates fine for employers who falsify or fail to submit forms.
Establishes the requirement that all employers with more than 10 employees must maintain a "Section 125" cafeteria plan to give employees access to pre-tax health insurance payments.
Authorizes the attorney general to enforce the cafeteria plan regulations of employer sponsored health insurance provisions.
Provides that Blue Cross plans may only offer policies to employers if the insurance is offered to all full-time employees. The employer must offer to cover the same premium contribution percentage for each employee but may allow greater contribution percentages to lower paid employees and separate percentages for employees with collective bargaining agreements.
Blue Cross Blue Shield may only offer coverage to employers if the insurance is offered to all full-time employees. The employer must offer to cover the same premium contribution percentage for each employee but may allow greater contribution percentages to lower paid employees and separate percentages for employees with collective bargaining agreements.
Requires HMO family policies to extend coverage to children up to 26 years of age or for 2 years after "loss of dependent status," whichever occurs first.
Provides that an HMO may only sell a group health plan to employers if the insurance is offered to all full-time employees. The employer must offer to cover the same premium contribution percentage for each employee but may allow greater contribution percentages to lower paid employees and separate percentages for employees with collective bargaining agreements.
An HMO can include a maximum deductible consistent with the maximum contribution requirements allowed for a federally-established Health Savings Account.
Provides that the Commissioner of the Division of Insurance may approve, according to established criteria, health insurance policies for individuals or small businesses that cover more restricted networks that differ from the overall carrier's network. The Commissioner may also disapprove any proposed rate changes if the Commissioner disapproves proposed rate increases to a small group plan, an insurance carrier must notify all members of the plan that the proposed increase has been disapproved and is subject to a public hearing. The carrier may not implement the proposed rates until the Commissioner has approved the rates.
Requires insurance carriers to disclose to prospective small business customers the surcharge that may be applied to the group’s premium and the participation requirements or participation rate adjustments for each health plan. • Requires insurance carriers to file electronically with the Division of Insurance rates and notification of actuarial methodology and any relevant changes prior to filing.
Requires the governing committee of the carrier-funded small-group reinsurance plan implemented in 1992 to establish a plan to phase out the program by June 2007.
Adds "eligible individuals" to those who do not qualify for "continuous coverage" under the state's mini-COBRA law due to the employer having only one or more than nineteen employees.
Specifies that the Connector will offer products to eligible individuals and small groups.
Outlines small business compliance requirements to participate in Connector health plans.
Allows individuals to purchase coverage through the small group insurance market starting July 1, 2007.