HB 3073 Text

H. B. 3073

          (By Delegate Ellington, Canterbury, R. Smith,
              Arvon, Border, Frich and Shott)

          [Introduced March 22, 2013; referred to the
Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-44-14, relating to creating the "Health Care Choice Act"; and enabling insurers authorized to sell insurance coverage in selected states to engage in the business of insurance in West Virginia.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
  That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-44-14, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 44. UNAUTHORIZED INSURERS ACT.
§33-44-14. Sale of insurance by insurers licensed in selective states.
_____(a) This section may be cited as the "Health Care Choice Act".
_____(b) The West Virginia Legislature recognizes the need for individuals, employers and other purchasers of health insurance coverage in this state to have the opportunity to choose health insurance plans that are more affordable and flexible than existing market policies offering accident and sickness insurance coverage. Therefore, the West Virginia Legislature seeks to increase the availability of health insurance coverage by allowing insurers authorized to engage in the business of insurance in Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia to issue accident and sickness policies in West Virginia.
_____(c) The selected out-of-state insurers are required to offer or provide state-mandated health benefits required by West Virginia law or rules in health insurance policies sold to West Virginia residents.
_____(d) Each written application for participation in an out-of-state health benefit plan shall contain the following language in boldface type at the beginning of the document:
_____"This policy is primarily governed by the laws of {insert state where the master policy is filed}; therefore, all of the rating laws applicable to policies filed in West Virginia do not apply to this policy, which may result in increases in your premium at renewal that would not be permissible in a West Virginia-approved policy. Any purchase of individual health insurance should be considered carefully since future medical conditions may make it impossible to qualify for another individual health policy. For information concerning individual health coverage under a West Virginia-approved policy, please consult your insurance agent or the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner."
_____(e) Each out-of-state health benefit plan shall contain the following language in boldface type at the beginning of the document:
_____"The benefits of this policy providing your coverage are governed primarily by the laws of a state other than West Virginia. While this health benefit plan may provide you a more affordable health insurance policy, it may also provide fewer health benefits than those normally included in policies in West Virginia. Please consult your insurance agent to determine which benefits are excluded under this policy."
_____(f) The West Virginia Insurance Commissioner may conduct market conduct and solvency examinations of all out-of-state companies seeking to offer health benefit plans in this state or who have been given approval to offer health benefit plans in this state. These examinations shall be conducted in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as for companies located in this state.
_____(g) The West Virginia Insurance Commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including, but not limited to, determining which health insurance companies located in other states are authorized to offer plans to West Virginia residents and determining the manner of approving the health benefit plans offered by these companies.

     NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the "Health Care Choice Act" and to allow insurance providers in selected states the ability to engage in the practice of selling insurance in West Virginia.

     This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.

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