(a) A group health insurance policy shall not include a provision that excludes coverage, and a health insurer shall not deny a claim under the policy, as a result of a disease or physical condition of a person effective on the date of the person’s loss, which existed prior to the effective date of the person’s coverage under the policy. This subsection shall not apply to accident only; credit; dental; vision; Medicare supplement; benefits for long-term care, home health care, community-based care or any combination thereof; disability income insurance; liability insurance including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance, worker’s compensation or similar insurance; specified disease, hospital indemnity or other limited benefit health insurance policies; or automobile medical payment insurance.

(b) For those policies not subject to subsection (a) of this section, a group health insurance policy shall contain a provision specifying the additional exclusion or limitations, if any, applicable under the policy with respect to a disease or physical condition of a person, not otherwise excluded from the person’s coverage by name or specific description effective on the date of the person’s loss, which existed prior to the effective date of the person’s coverage under the policy. Any such exclusion or limitation may only apply to a disease or physical condition for which medical advice or treatment was received by the person during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the person’s coverage. In no event shall such exclusion or limitation apply to loss incurred or disability commencing after the earlier of:

(1) The end of a continuous period of 12 months commencing on or after the effective date of the person’s coverage during all of which the person has received no medical advice or treatment in connection with such disease or physical condition; and

(2) The end of the 2-year period commencing on the effective date of the person’s coverage.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b) of this section, a group health insurance policy issued by a health insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization shall contain a provision which extends coverage for an insured who is hospitalized on the date coverage terminates for a period of 10 consecutive days during a single period of continuous hospitalization, if coverage terminates for any reason except nonpayment of premium. Benefits shall continue at the same level as provided in the terminated policy for the 10-day period.

(d) Following the termination of the 10-day period set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the succeeding insurer, if any, shall provide benefits for an insured who is hospitalized on the effective date of coverage at the level provided in the policy then in force, notwithstanding any preexisting conditions or other similar exclusions contained in the new policy. This provision applies only to a continuing single period of hospitalization.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 323, § 2; 79 Del. Laws, c. 99, § 5.