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California Law (Last Updated: March 4, 2014) |
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Health and Safety Code - HSC |
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Division 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS |
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Chapter 2.2. Health Care Service Plans |
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ARTICLE 11.8. Individual Access to Health Care Coverage |
Section 1399.851.
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(a) Commencing October 1, 2013, a health care service plan or solicitor shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in the following activities:
(1) Encourage or direct an individual to refrain from filing an application for individual coverage with a plan because of the health status, claims experience, industry, occupation, or geographic location, provided that the location is within the plan's approved service area, of the individual.
(2) Encourage or direct an individual to seek individual coverage from another plan or health insurer or the California Health Benefit Exchange because of the health status, claims experience, industry, occupation, or geographic location, provided that the location is within the plan's approved service area, of the individual.
(3) Employ marketing practices or benefit designs that will have the effect of discouraging the enrollment of individuals with significant health needs or discriminate based on an individual's race, color, national origin, present or predicted disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, expected length of life, degree of medical dependency, quality of life, or other health conditions.
(b) Commencing October 1, 2013, a health care service plan shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into any contract, agreement, or arrangement with a solicitor that provides for or results in the compensation paid to a solicitor for the sale of an individual health benefit plan to be varied because of the health status, claims experience, industry, occupation, or geographic location of the individual. This subdivision does not apply to a compensation arrangement that provides compensation to a solicitor on the basis of percentage of premium, provided that the percentage shall not vary because of the health status, claims experience, industry, occupation, or geographic area of the individual.
(c) This section shall only apply with respect to individual health benefit plans for policy years on or after January 1, 2014.