Contingent Repeal Hlth Ins Laws Aligning With ACA

In 2013, the general assembly enacted House Bill 13-1266 to align state health insurance laws with the requirements of the federal 'Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act' (ACA). The bill adds an automatic repeal to the following provisions in the state health insurance laws that is triggered if the comparable federal law requirement under the ACA is repealed by congress and approved by the president:

• The requirement that carriers offer health benefit plans that cover an essential health benefits package with bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels of coverage;
• The requirement that dependent coverage under a health plan be available to a child under 26 years of age, regardless of dependency or marital status;
• The requirement that carriers issue or renew a plan to any eligible individual or small employer that agrees to pay the required premiums;
• The requirements regarding open and special enrollment periods;
• The prohibition against discriminating with respect to participation under the plan or coverage by any provider acting within the scope of his or her license;
• The requirement to offer continuation coverage to an employee who is no longer employed by the employer through whom the employee was covered under a health benefit plan;
• Fair market standards;
• Procedures for denial of benefits and internal reviews;
• The prohibition against preexisting condition exclusions; and
• The requirements pertaining to grace periods for a newly insured individual to pay premiums for coverage.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)