2023 -- S 0797

========

LC002598

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, DiMario, Sosnowski, Ciccone, DiPalma, Murray,
Pearson, and Lawson

     Date Introduced: March 23, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18.2 of the General Laws entitled "Medicare Supplement

Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-18.2-3.2. Medicare Part B special enrollment period for end of federal health

emergency.

     (a) This section shall apply to any individual Medicare supplement policy and to any group

Medicare supplement policy issued to a group of which an individual had privileges associated

with group membership.

     (b) A carrier that issues Medicare supplement policies in the State of Rhode Island shall

issue any Medicare supplement policy that the carrier sells in the state to an individual eligible for

Medicare if the individual:

     (1) Is enrolled in Medicare Part B while enrolled in the Rhode Island medical assistance

program;

     (2) Remained in the Rhode Island medical assistance program due to a suspension of

termination by the Rhode Island medical assistance program during a state of emergency and was

not disenrolled or terminated until at least six (6) months following the effective date of enrollment

in Medicare Part B;

     (3) Applies for the Medicare supplement policy during the sixty-three (63) day period

following the later of notice of termination or disenrollment or the date of termination from the

Rhode Island medical assistance program; and

     (4) Submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment from the Rhode Island

medical assistance program with the application for the Medicare supplement policy.

     (c) With respect to an individual described in this section, a carrier shall not:

     (1) Deny or place a condition of the issuance or effectiveness of a Medicare supplement

policy that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by the carrier;

     (2) Discriminate on the pricing of a Medicare supplement policy because of health status,

claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; or

     (3) Impose an exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition under a Medicare

supplement policy.

     (d) This section shall sunset on December 31, 2025.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and sunset on December 31, 2025.

========

LC002598

========

LC002598 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

***

     This act would provide a special enrollment period for applicants for Medicare Part B. This

act would also prohibit state insurance carriers from denying or imposing conditions on new

enrollees or discriminate on price based upon health status, claims experience or preexisting

conditions.

     This act would take effect upon passage and sunset on December 31, 2025.

========

LC002598

========

LC002598 - Page 3 of 3