The bill amends Section 27-18.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-18.2 entitled "Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies," effective July 1, 2023. It sets forth standards for policy provisions of Medicare supplement insurance policies and certificates, ensuring they do not duplicate Medicare benefits and do not exclude or limit benefits for preexisting conditions diagnosed within six months prior to the coverage effective date. The bill empowers the commissioner to adopt regulations for policy standards, including terms of renewability, eligibility, coverage duplication, and other related matters. It also allows the commissioner to establish minimum standards for premium rates, benefits, claims payment, marketing practices, and reporting practices for Medicare supplement policies.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection (h), which guarantees issue rights for standardized Medicare Supplement Plan A to individuals enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B during an annual enrollment period of at least one month each calendar year, regardless of age. This provision prohibits insurers from conditioning the issuance or coverage of a policy on the applicant's medical or health status or from performing individual medical underwriting. The guaranteed issue rights are provided to applicants who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under Medicare Part C at the time of the Medicare supplement application. The act will take effect upon passage and aims to provide all Medicare recipients over sixty-five years of age with guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement plans without medical underwriting or conditioning on health status.

Statutes affected:
6179  as amended: 27-18.2-3
6179: 27-18.2-3