The bill amends New Jersey law 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 are required to notify the service corporation and make the necessary payment within this timeframe. The bill also clarifies that all group health insurance policies must provide coverage for newborns from the moment of birth, even if they do not offer dependent coverage.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for dependents with intellectual disabilities or physical handicaps, ensuring that their coverage does not terminate upon reaching a specified age, provided that proof of incapacity is submitted within 31 days of that age. It also states that medical service corporations are not obligated to insure children with disabilities if the contract is underwritten based on health factors. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance access to health benefits for newborns and provide better protection for families with dependents who have disabilities, while ensuring compliance with underwriting principles. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after enactment and will apply to all relevant contracts, policies, and plans issued or renewed thereafter.

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