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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions relating to the requirement that an employer provide notice
10 regarding mini-COBRA coverage.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ creates penalties for an employer who fails to provide certain information regarding
14 mini-COBRA coverage; and
15 ▸ requires an employer or an entity that contracts with an employer to provide health
16 insurance coverage to include information regarding mini-COBRA coverage in the
17 notice of cancellation of coverage under certain circumstances.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 31A-22-722, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 193
25 ENACTS:
26 34-56-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27 34-56-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30 Section 1. Section 31A-22-722 is amended to read:
31 31A-22-722. Utah mini-COBRA benefits for employer group coverage.
32 (1) An employer's group policy shall offer an employee's coverage to be extended
33 under the current employer's group policy for a period of 12 months, except as provided in
34 Subsection (2). The right to extend coverage includes:
35 (a) voluntary termination;
36 (b) involuntary termination;
37 (c) retirement;
38 (d) death;
39 (e) divorce or legal separation;
40 (f) loss of dependent status;
41 (g) sabbatical;
42 (h) a disability;
43 (i) leave of absence; or
44 (j) reduction of hours.
45 (2) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), an employee may not extend coverage under
46 the current employer's group insurance policy if the employee:
47 (i) fails to pay premiums or contributions in accordance with the terms of the insurance
48 policy;
49 (ii) acquires other group coverage covering all preexisting conditions including
50 maternity, if the coverage exists;
51 (iii) performs an act or practice that constitutes fraud in connection with the coverage;
52 (iv) makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact under the terms of the
53 coverage;
54 (v) is terminated from employment for gross misconduct;
55 (vi) is not continuously covered under the current employer's group policy for a period
56 of three months immediately before the termination of the insurance policy due to an event set
57 forth in Subsection (1);
58 (vii) is eligible for an extension of coverage required by federal law;
59 (viii) establishes residence outside of this state;
60 (ix) moves out of the insurer's service area;
61 (x) is eligible for similar coverage under another group insurance policy; or
62 (xi) has the employee's coverage terminated because the employer's coverage is
63 terminated, except as provided in Subsection (8).
64 (b) The right to extend coverage under Subsection (1) applies to spouse or dependent
65 coverage, including a surviving spouse or dependents whose coverage under the insurance
66 policy terminates by reason of the death of the employee or member.
67 (3) (a) The employer shall notify the following in writing of the right to extend group
68 coverage and the payment amounts required for extension of coverage, including the manner,
69 place, and time in which the payments shall be made:
70 (i) a terminated insured;
71 (ii) an ex-spouse of an insured; or
72 (iii) if Subsection (2)(b) applies:
73 (A) a surviving spouse; and
74 (B) the guardian of surviving dependents, if different from a surviving spouse.
75 (b) The notification required in Subsection (3)(a) shall be sent first class mail within 30
76 days after the termination date of the group coverage to:
77 (i) the terminated insured's home address as shown on the records of the employer;
78 (ii) the address of the surviving spouse, if different from the insured's address and if
79 shown on the records of the employer;
80 (iii) the guardian of any dependents address, if different from the insured's address, and
81 if shown on the records of the employer; and
82 (iv) the address of the ex-spouse, if shown on the records of the employer.
83 (4) The insurer shall provide the employee, spouse, or any eligible dependent the
84 opportunity to extend the group coverage at the payment amount stated in Subsection (5) if:
85 (a) the employer policyholder does not provide the terminated insured the written
86 notification required by Subsection (3)(a); and
87 (b) the employee or other individual eligible for extension contacts the insurer within
88 60 days of coverage termination.
89 (5) (a) A premium amount for extended group coverage may not exceed 102% of the
90 group rate in effect for a group member, including an employer's contribution, if any, for a
91 group insurance policy.
92 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(a), an insurer may not charge an insured an
93 additional fee, an additional premium, interest, or any similar charge for electing extended
94 group coverage.
95 (6) Except as provided in this Subsection (6), coverage extends without interruption for
96 12 months and may not terminate if the terminated insured or, with respect to a minor, the
97 parent or guardian of the terminated insured:
98 (a) elects to extend group coverage within 60 days of losing group coverage; and
99 (b) tenders the amount required to the employer or insurer.
100 (7) The insured's coverage may be terminated before 12 months if the terminated
101 insured:
102 (a) establishes residence outside of this state;
103 (b) moves out of the insurer's service area;
104 (c) fails to pay premiums or contributions in accordance with the terms of the insurance
105 policy, including any timeliness requirements;
106 (d) performs an act or practice that constitutes fraud in connection with the coverage;
107 (e) makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact under the terms of the
108 coverage;
109 (f) becomes eligible for similar coverage under another group insurance policy; or
110 (g) has the coverage terminated because the employer's coverage is terminated, except
111 as provided in Subsection (8).
112 (8) If the current employer coverage is terminated and the employer replaces coverage
113 with similar coverage under another group insurance policy, without interruption, the
114 terminated insured, spouse, or the surviving spouse and guardian of dependents if Subsection
115 (2)(b) applies, may obtain extension of coverage under the replacement group insurance policy:
116 (a) for the balance of the period the terminated insured would have extended coverage
117 under the replaced group insurance policy; and
118 (b) if the terminated insured is otherwise eligible for extension of coverage.
119 (9) An insurer shall require an insured employer to offer to the following individuals an
120 open enrollment period at the same time as other regular employees:
121 (a) an individual who extends group coverage and is current on payment; and
122 (b) during the applicable grace period described in Subsection (3) or (4), an individual
123 who is eligible to elect to extend group coverage.
124 (10) For a group policy, an insurer shall include in the insurer's notice of cancellation
125 of coverage that the individual may qualify under state or federal law to continue coverage
126 through the employer for a limited period.
127 Section 2. Section 34-56-101 is enacted to read:
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129 34-56-101. Title.
130 This chapter is known as "Notification by Employers."
131 Section 3. Section 34-56-102 is enacted to read:
132 34-56-102. Failure to provide notification regarding mini-COBRA coverage -
133 Penalties - Exceptions.
134 (1) An employer shall provide the notification required in Subsection 31A-22-722(3).
135 (2) An employer who fails to comply with the notice requirement described in
136 Subsection (1) is subject to a fine of up to $25 a day for each day after the date of the failure.
137 (3) The penalty under Subsection (2):
138 (a) does not apply to an employer that is subject to the requirements of the
139 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. No. 99-272, 100 Stat. 82;
140 (b) may not be imposed if a penalty has been imposed under federal law for the same
141 failure; and
142 (c) may not exceed $500.
143 (4) An employer is not liable under Subsection (2) if the employer is able to
144 demonstrate that the failure resulted from matters reasonably beyond the control of the
145 employer.
146 (5) Each violation under Subsection (2) with respect to each individual described in
147 Subsections 31A-22-722(3)(a)(i) through (iii) is a separate violation of this section.