The bill amends New Jersey health insurance laws to extend the enrollment period for newborn infants in health benefits coverage from 60 days to 90 days after birth. This change applies to both family and non-family contracts, ensuring that coverage for newly-born children begins at birth and includes necessary services for injury, sickness, and congenital defects. To maintain this coverage beyond the 90-day period, parents must notify the service corporation and make the required payment within this timeframe. The bill also clarifies that contracts must provide immediate coverage for newborns and reinforces provisions for dependent coverage, particularly for children with disabilities.

Additionally, the legislation stipulates that group health insurance policies must allow for the continuation of coverage for dependents for at least 180 days following the death of the insured individual. It ensures that policies provide coverage for dependents who cannot sustain employment due to intellectual disabilities or physical handicaps, preventing termination of coverage as long as the policyholder remains insured and submits proof of the dependent's incapacity within 31 days of reaching the specified termination age. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to health benefits for newborns and provide families with adequate time to enroll their children in health insurance plans.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48-6, 17:48-6.1, 17:48A-5, 17:48A-7.1, 17:48E-20, 17:48E-28