40-2218. Establishment of benefit standards for accident and sickness policies or subscriber contracts; delivery or issuance of policy or contract not meeting standards prohibited, exceptions; identification of policies and contracts. (a) The commissioner of insurance shall issue rules and regulations to establish standards for benefits under each of the following categories of coverage in individual policies, other than conversion policies issued pursuant to a contractual conversion privilege under a group policy, of accident and sickness insurance or subscriber contracts:

(1) Basic hospital expense coverage;

(2) basic medical-surgical expense coverage;

(3) hospital confinement indemnity coverage;

(4) major medical expense coverage;

(5) disability income protection coverage;

(6) accident only coverage; and

(7) specified disease or specified accident coverage.

(b) Nothing in this section shall preclude the issuance of any policy or contract which combines two (2) or more of the categories of coverage enumerated in paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a).

(c) No policy or contract shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this state which does not meet the prescribed standards for the categories of coverage listed in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a) which are contained within the policy or contract unless the commissioner finds such policy or contract, including those affording supplemental coverage, will fulfill a reasonable public need and such policy or contract meets the requirements set forth in K.S.A. 40-2215 or unless the outline of coverage required by K.S.A. 40-2219 clearly sets forth wherein such policy does not provide the standards for benefits promulgated by the commissioner.

(d) The commissioner shall prescribe the method of identification of policies and contracts based upon coverages provided.

History: L. 1976, ch. 218, § 3; July 1.