40-2221. Medicare supplement policies; rules and regulations to establish standards; denial of coverage prohibited, when. In addition to any other statutory authority not inconsistent herewith, the commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations establishing specific standards for medicare supplement policies delivered or issued for delivery in this state. The standards so established shall equal, or may exceed, the minimum standards and requirements permitted by section 1395SS(b)(B) of the federal social security act (42 U.S.C. § 1395 et seq.). In addition, an issuer of a medicare supplement policy: (a) Shall not deny coverage to an applicant under 65 years of age who becomes eligible for a medicare by reason of disability if such person makes application for medicare supplement policy within six months of the first day on which such person enrolls for benefits under medicare part B;

(b) may not condition the issuance or effectiveness of a medicare supplement policy issued to a person eligible for medicare by reason of disability because of the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of such applicant if such applicant makes application for a medicare supplement policy during the six month period beginning with the first day of the month in which such applicant enrolls for benefits under medicare part B;

(c) shall make available to persons eligible for medicare by reason of disability each type of medicare supplement policy such issuer makes available to person eligible for medicare by reason of age; and

(d) shall not charge individuals who become eligible for medicare by reason of disability and who are under the age of 65 premium rates for any medical supplemental insurance benefit plan offered by the issuer that exceeds the issuer's premium rates charged for such plan to individuals who are age 65.

History: L. 1981, ch. 194, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 58, § 1; L. 1996, ch. 24, § 1; L. 1999, ch. 106, § 4; July 1.