Ch. 322

2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) (3) APPLIES FOR THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICY ON OR
BEFORE JULY 1, 2004 DURING THE 6-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL IS
TERMINATED FROM THE MARYLAND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.

(B) (C) A CARRIER THAT ISSUES A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICY UNDER
SUBSECTION (A) (B) OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT EXCLUDE OR LIMIT BENEFITS FOR
LOSSES INCURRED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE BECAUSE THE
LOSSES INVOLVED A PREEXISTING CONDITION.

(C) (D) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL ISSUE NOTICE OF THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THIS SECTION TO EACH AFFECTED CARRIER IN THE STATE.

(D) (E) THE MARYLAND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN SHALL ISSUE NOTICE OF
THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT COVERAGE UNDER THIS SECTION TO
EACH INDIVIDUAL ENROLLED IN THE MARYLAND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN WHO
MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (A)(1) (B)(1) OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland
read as follows:

Article - Insurance

15-909.

(b) (3) (i) [If an application for a Medicare supplement policy or
certificate is submitted by an individual who is under the age of 65 years, but is
eligible for Medicare due to a disability, during the 6-month period following the
applicant's enrollment in Part B of Medicare, a carrier shall make available to the
applicant both a Medicare supplement policy plan C and a Medicare supplement
policy plan I.] A CARRIER SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE BOTH A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT
POLICY PLAN C AND A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICY PLAN I TO AN INDIVIDUAL
WHO IS UNDER THE AGE OF 65 YEARS BUT IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE DUE TO A
DISABILITY, IF AN APPLICATION FOR A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICY OR
CERTIFICATE IS SUBMITTED:

1.       DURING THE 6-MONTH PERIOD FOLLOWING THE
APPLICANT'S ENROLLMENT IN PART B OF MEDICARE; OR

2.       FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TERMINATED FROM THE MARYLAND
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN AS A RESULT OF ENROLLMENT IN PART B OF MEDICARE,
DURING THE 6-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL'S TERMINATION.

SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an
emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health
or safety, has been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three-fifths of all the
members elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take
effect from the date it is enacted. It Section 1 of this Act shall remain effective
through June 30, 2005, and, at the end of June 30, 2005, with no further action
required by the General Assembly, Section 1 of this Act shall be abrogated and of no
further force and effect.

Approved May 11, 2004.

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