10 LC
37 1032S (SCS)
Senate
Bill 411
By:
Senators Hudgens of the 47th, Goggans of the 7th, Seabaugh of the 28th, Mullis
of the 53rd, Wiles of the 37th and others
AS
PASSED SENATE
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to provide
for a short title; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices
for certain wellness and health improvement programs that provide for rewards or
incentives in certain individual and group health insurance policies; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
This
Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Healthy Georgians Act of
2010."
SECTION
2.
Article
1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to general provisions regarding insurance, is amended by adding a new Code
section to read as follows:
"33-24-59.13.
(a)
An insurer issuing comprehensive, major medical group, or individual health
insurance benefit plans may, in keeping with federal requirements, offer
wellness or health improvement programs, including voluntary wellness or health
improvement programs that provide for rewards or incentives, including, but not
limited to, merchandise, gift cards, debit cards, premium discounts or rebates,
contributions towards a member's health savings account, modifications to
copayment, deductible, or coinsurance amounts, or any combination of these
incentives, to encourage participation in such wellness or health improvement
programs and to reward insureds for participation in such programs.
(b)
The offering of such rewards or incentives to insureds under such wellness or
health improvement programs shall not be considered an unfair trade practice
under Code Section 33-6-4 if such programs are filed with the Commissioner and
made a part of the health insurance master policy and certificates or the
individual health insurance evidence of coverage as a policy amendment,
endorsement, rider, or other form of policy material as agreed upon by the
Commissioner. The Commissioner shall be authorized to develop an automatic or
expedited approval process for review of such wellness or health improvement
programs, including those programs already approved under the laws and
regulations of other
states."
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.