Bill Text: VA SB1199 | 2025 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Medicare supplement policies; annual open enrollment period.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-28 - Reconsidered by Commerce and Labor [SB1199 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2025-SB1199-Comm_Sub.html
| OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION | 1/20/2025 |
SENATE BILL NO. 1199
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor
on ________________)
(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Deeds)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 36 of Title 38.2 a section numbered 38.2-3611, relating to Medicare supplement policies; annual open enrollment period.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 36 of Title 38.2 a section numbered 38.2-3611 as follows:
§ 38.2-3611. Annual open enrollment period.
A. An insurer, health services plan, or health maintenance organization issuing individual Medicare supplement policies or certificates in the Commonwealth, including policies or certificates issued on an individual basis through a non-employer group trust, plan, or association, shall offer to an individual currently insured under any such policy or certificate an annual open enrollment period commencing on the day of the individual's birthday and remaining open for at least 60 days thereafter, during which time the individual may purchase any Medicare supplement policy made available by any insurer in the Commonwealth that offers the same benefits as or lesser benefits than those provided by the current coverage. Innovative benefits, as described in 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss(p)(4)(B), shall not be considered when determining whether a Medicare supplement policy includes the same benefits as or lesser benefits than those provided by the previous coverage.
B. During the annual open enrollment period offered pursuant to this section, no insurer, health services plan, or health maintenance organization shall deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness, or discriminate in the price of coverage, of a Medicare supplement policy based on the health status, claims history, receipt of health care, or medical condition of an individual currently insured under any such policy.
C. At least 15 days but not more than 30 days prior to the commencement of an annual open enrollment period for an individual to whom the open enrollment period established by the provisions of this section applies, the insurer, health services plan, or health maintenance organization issuing a Medicare supplement policy or certificate shall notify each such individual of:
1. The dates on which the open enrollment period begins and ends;
2. The rights of the individual during the open enrollment period; and
3. Any modification of the benefits provided by the policy under which the individual is currently insured or adjustment of the premiums charged for that policy.
D. As used in this section, "Medicare supplement policy" includes policies offered by public entities that otherwise meet the requirements of this chapter.
