2550

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 681

(2) TO ELECT THE COVERAGE PROVIDED UNDER THIS
SECTION, A QUALIFIED SECONDARY BENEFICIARY SHALL SUBMIT A SIGNED
ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORM TO THE EMPLOYER DURING THE ELECTION
PERIOD.

(G) (1) EVERY CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO AN INSURED UNDER A
GROUP CONTRACT SHALL INCLUDE A STATEMENT, IN A MANNER AND FORM
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER, WHICH ADVISES THE INSURED OF THE
FOLLOWING:

(I)  THE AVAILABILITY OF THE BENEFITS UNDER THIS
SECTION;

(II)  A SUMMARY OF THE ELIGIBILITY FOR AND
DURATION OF SUCH BENEFITS; AND

(III)  THE PROCEDURE FOR MAKING AN ELECTION TO
RECEIVE SUCH BENEFITS SHOULD AN APPLICABLE CHANGE IN STATUS
OCCUR.

(2) THE EMPLOYER SHALL, WITHIN 14 DAYS FOLLOWING
RECEIPT OF A REQUEST, DELIVER OR SEND BY FIRST CLASS MAIL AN
ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORM TO THE QUALIFIED SECONDARY BENEFICIARY
OR AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

(H) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL:

(1)  PUBLISH AT LEAST ONCE ANNUALLY IN THE MARYLAND
REGISTER AND IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN EACH OF THE
COUNTIES OF THE STATE AND BALTIMORE CITY NOTICE APPRISING THE
PUBLIC OF THE COVERAGE REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION;

(2)  BY REGULATION PRESCRIBE THE FORM AND CONTENT OF
THE ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORM; AND

(3)  MAKE ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORMS AVAILABLE TO
EVERY EMPLOYER WHOSE EMPLOYEES ARE COVERED BY A GROUP CONTRACT.

(I) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT OR IN ANY WAY
LIMIT A QUALIFIED SECONDARY BENEFICIARY'S RIGHT TO CONVERSION
PRIVILEGES UNDER A GROUP CONTRACT.

(J) AN EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO PROVIDE NOTICE OR AN ELECTION
NOTIFICATION FORM UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE
QUALIFIED SECONDARY BENEFICIARY OR THE INSURED FOR BENEFITS WHICH
WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN PAYABLE OR OTHER DAMAGES RESULTING FROM
THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OR FORM.

(K) NOTICE OF THE BENEFITS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE
PROVIDED BY:

(1) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE AS
SPECIFIED IN § 4-217 OF HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE; AND