07 LC 28
3643
House
Bill 709
By:
Representative Harbin of the
118th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 29A of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to availability and assignment system relating to individual
health insurance coverage, so as to provide for certain notices to persons who
become eligible for COBRA coverage or who are receiving COBRA coverage; to
provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 29A of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to availability and assignment system relating to individual health insurance
coverage, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as
follows:
"33-29A-9.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term 'COBRA' means the federal Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986.
(b)
All insurers or other persons licensed by the Commissioner who serve as
administrators in Georgia under employer sponsored, self-funded health benefit
arrangements or plans or self-funded Taft Hartley plans shall provide notices
for all citizens of this state regarding potential eligibility for coverage
under the Georgia Health Insurance Assignment System pursuant to Code Section
33-29A-4 and the Georgia Health Benefits Assignment System pursuant to Code
Section 33-29A-5. Such notices shall be issued by all such insurers,
administrators, and other persons to potentially eligible individuals upon such
individuals´ becoming eligible for COBRA coverage and at the beginning of
such individuals´ fourteenth month of their 18 months of active COBRA
coverage. The notice shall be in a form as promulgated under the rules and
regulations of the Commissioner and shall be mailed by first class mail to such
individuals by such insurers, administrators, and other
persons."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.