Ch. 294

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

766.

(A) A CARRIER SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN CERTIFICATION OF CREDITABLE
COVERAGE IN CONNECTION WITH GROUP HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS, INCLUDING
THOSE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBTITLE 55 OF THIS ARTICLE

(B) THE CERTIFICATION OF CREDITABLE COVERAGE DESCRIBED IN
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED:

(1) AUTOMATICALLY AT THE TIME AN INDIVIDUAL CEASES TO BE
COVERED UNDER THE PLAN AND WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD AFTER
CESSATION OF COVERAGE; AND

(2) AT THE REQUEST OF THE INDIVIDUAL, IN NO EVENT LATER THAN 24
MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF CESSATION OF THE COVERAGE.

(1) AUTOMATICALLY AT THE TIME AN INDIVIDUAL CEASES TO BE
COVERED UNDER THE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN OR OTHERWISE BECOMES COVERED
UNDER A COBRA CONTINUATION PROVISION:

(2) IN THE CASE OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BECOMES COVERED UNDER A
COBRA CONTINUATION PROVISION. AT THE TIME THE INDIVIDUAL CEASES TO BE
COVERED UNDER THE PROVISION: AND

(3) ON THE REQUEST ON BEHALF OF AN INDIVIDUAL MADE NOT LATER
THAN 24 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF CESSATION OF THE COVERAGE DESCRIBED
IN ITEM (1) OR (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, WHICHEVER IS LATER.

(C) THE CERTIFICATION MAY BE PROVIDED AT A TIME CONSISTENT WITH
NOTICES REQUIRED UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDERAL CONTINUATION
PROVISION.

(D) THE CERTIFICATION SHALL CONTAIN:

(1) WRITTEN CERTIFICATION OF THE PERIOD OF CREDITABLE
COVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN, AND THE
COVERAGE, IF APPLICABLE, UNDER THE APPLICABLE STATE OR FEDERAL
CONTINUATION PROVISION; AND

(2) THE WAITING PERIOD, IF ANY, IMPOSED WITH RESPECT TO THE
INDIVIDUAL FOR ANY COVERAGE UNDER THE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN.

(E) IF A GROUP HEALTH PLAN ENROLLS AN INDIVIDUAL FOR COVERAGE
UNDER THE PLAN AND THE INDIVIDUAL PROVIDES A CERTIFICATION OF
COVERAGE, THEN:

(1) ON REQUEST OF THE GROUP HEALTH PLAN, THE ENTITY THAT
ISSUED THE CERTIFICATION PROVIDED BY THE INDIVIDUAL PROMPTLY SHALL
DISCLOSE TO THE REQUESTING GROUP HEALTH PLAN, INFORMATION REGARDING
COVERAGE OF CLASSES AND CATEGORIES OF HEALTH BENEFITS AVAILABLE
UNDER THE ENTITY'S PLAN OR POLICY; AND

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