1.1.................... moves to amend H.F. No. 779, the third engrossment, as follows:
1.2Page 1, after the enactment clause, insert:


1.5    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 43A.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.6    Subdivision 1. General. (a) The commissioner is authorized to request proposals
1.7or to negotiate and to enter into contracts with parties which in the judgment of the
1.8commissioner are best qualified to provide service to the benefit plans. Contracts entered
1.9into are not subject to the requirements of sections 16C.16 to 16C.19. The commissioner
1.10may negotiate premium rates and coverage. The commissioner shall consider the cost of
1.11the plans, conversion options relating to the contracts, service capabilities, character,
1.12financial position, and reputation of the carriers, and any other factors which the
1.13commissioner deems appropriate. Each benefit contract must be for a uniform term of at
1.14least one year, but may be made automatically renewable from term to term in the absence
1.15of notice of termination by either party. A carrier licensed under chapter 62A is exempt
1.16from the taxes imposed by chapter 297I on premiums paid to it by the state.
1.17    (b) All self-insured hospital and medical service products must comply with coverage
1.18mandates, data reporting, and consumer protection requirements applicable to the licensed
1.19carrier administering the product, had the product been insured, including chapters 62J,
1.2062M, and 62Q. Any self-insured products that limit coverage to a network of providers
1.21or provide different levels of coverage between network and nonnetwork providers shall
1.22comply with section 62D.123 and geographic access standards for health maintenance
1.23organizations adopted by the commissioner of health in rule under chapter 62D.
1.24    (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a self-insured hospital and medical product
1.25offered under sections 43A.22 to 43A.30 is not required to extend dependent coverage
1.26to an eligible employee's unmarried child under the age of 25 to the full extent required
2.1under chapters 62A and 62L. Dependent child coverage must, at a minimum, extend to an
2.2eligible employee's unmarried dependent child who is under the age of 19 or an unmarried
2.3child under the age of 25 who is a full-time student. A person who is at least 19 years of
2.4age but who is under the age of 25 and who is not a full-time student must be permitted
2.5to be enrolled as a dependent of an eligible employee until age 25 if the person: to the
2.6limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision 9, disabled children to the extent
2.7required in sections 62A.14 and 62A.141, and dependent grandchildren to the extent
2.8required in sections 62A.042 and 62A.302.
2.9(1) was a full-time student immediately prior to being ordered into active military
2.10service, as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c;
2.11(2) has been separated or discharged from active military service; and
2.12(3) would be eligible to enroll as a dependent of an eligible employee, except that
2.13the person is not a full-time student.
2.14The definition of "full-time student" for purposes of this paragraph includes any student
2.15who by reason of illness, injury, or physical or mental disability as documented by
2.16a physician is unable to carry what the educational institution considers a full-time
2.17course load so long as the student's course load is at least 60 percent of what otherwise
2.18is considered by the institution to be a full-time course load. Any notice regarding
2.19termination of coverage due to attainment of the limiting age must include information
2.20about this definition of "full-time student."
2.21    (d) Beginning January 1, 2010, the health insurance benefit plans offered in the
2.22commissioner's plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 2, and the managerial plan under
2.23section 43A.18, subdivision 3, must include an option for a health plan that is compatible
2.24with the definition of a high-deductible health plan in section 223 of the United States
2.25Internal Revenue Code.
2.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.27    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 43A.317, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
2.28    Subd. 6. Individual eligibility. (a) Procedures. The commissioner shall establish
2.29procedures for eligible employees and other eligible individuals to apply for coverage
2.30through the program.
2.31(b) Employees. An employer shall determine when it applies to the program the
2.32criteria its employees must meet to be eligible for coverage under its plan. An employer
2.33may subsequently change the criteria annually or at other times with approval of the
2.34commissioner. The criteria must provide that new employees become eligible for coverage
2.35after a probationary period of at least 30 days, but no more than 90 days.
3.1(c) Other individuals. An employer may elect to cover under its plan:
3.2(1) the spouse, dependent children to the limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01,
3.3subdivision 9, disabled children to the extent required in sections 62A.14 and 62A.141,
3.4and dependent grandchildren of a covered employee to the extent required in sections
3.562A.042 and 62A.302;
3.6(2) a retiree who is eligible to receive a pension or annuity from the employer and a
3.7covered retiree's spouse, dependent children to the limiting age as defined in section
3.862Q.01, subdivision 9, disabled children to the extent required in sections 62A.14 and
3.962A.141, and dependent grandchildren to the extent required in sections 62A.042 and
3.1062A.302;
3.11(3) the surviving spouse, dependent children to the limiting age as defined in section
3.1262Q.01, subdivision 9, disabled children, and dependent grandchildren of a deceased
3.13employee or retiree, if the spouse, children, or grandchildren were covered at the time of
3.14the death;
3.15(4) a covered employee who becomes disabled, as provided in sections 62A.147
3.16and 62A.148; or
3.17(5) any other categories of individuals for whom group coverage is required by
3.18state or federal law.
3.19An employer shall determine when it applies to the program the criteria individuals
3.20in these categories must meet to be eligible for coverage. An employer may subsequently
3.21change the criteria annually, or at other times with approval of the commissioner. The
3.22criteria for dependent children to the limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision
3.239, disabled children, and dependent grandchildren may be no more inclusive than the
3.24criteria under section 43A.18, subdivision 2. This paragraph shall not be interpreted
3.25as relieving the program from compliance with any federal and state continuation of
3.26coverage requirements.
3.27(d) Waiver and late entrance. An eligible individual may waive coverage at the
3.28time the employer joins the program or when coverage first becomes available. The
3.29commissioner may establish a preexisting condition exclusion of not more than 18 months
3.30for late entrants as defined in section 62L.02, subdivision 19.
3.31(e) Continuation coverage. The program shall provide all continuation coverage
3.32required by state and federal law.
3.33EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

3.34    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 60A.08, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
4.1    Subd. 15. Classification of insurance filings data. (a) All forms, rates, and related
4.2information filed with the commissioner under section 61A.02 shall be nonpublic data
4.3until the filing becomes effective.
4.4    (b) All forms, rates, and related information filed with the commissioner under
4.5section 62A.02 shall be nonpublic data until the filing becomes effective.
4.6    (c) All forms, rates, and related information filed with the commissioner under
4.7section 62C.14, subdivision 10, shall be nonpublic data until the filing becomes effective.
4.8    (d) All forms, rates, and related information filed with the commissioner under
4.9section 70A.06 shall be nonpublic data until the filing becomes effective.
4.10    (e) All forms, rates, and related information filed with the commissioner under
4.11section 79.56 shall be nonpublic data until the filing becomes effective.
4.12(f) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c), for all rate increases subject to review
4.13under section 2794 of the Public Health Services Act and any amendments to, or
4.14regulations, or guidance issued under the act that are filed with the commissioner on or
4.15after September 1, 2011, the commissioner:
4.16(1) may acknowledge receipt of the information;
4.17(2) may acknowledge that the corresponding rate filing is pending review;
4.18(3) must provide public access from the Department of Commerce's Web site to parts
4.19I and II of the Preliminary Justifications of the rate increases subject to review; and
4.20(4) must provide notice to the public on the Department of Commerce's Web site of the
4.21review of the proposed rate, which must include a statement that the public has 30 calendar
4.22days to submit written comments to the commissioner on the rate filing subject to review.
4.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

4.24    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
4.25to read:
4.26    Subd. 1a. Affordable Care Act. "Affordable Care Act" means the federal Patient
4.27Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, as amended, including the
4.28federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152, and
4.29any amendments to, and any federal guidance or regulations issued under, these acts.
4.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

4.31    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
4.32to read:
5.1    Subd. 1b. Grandfathered plan. "Grandfathered plan" means a health plan in which
5.2an individual was enrolled on March 23, 2010, for as long as it maintains that status in
5.3accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Unless otherwise specified, grandfathered plans
5.4includes both individual and group health plans.
5.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

5.6    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
5.7to read:
5.8    Subd. 1c. Group health plan. "Group health plan" means a policy or certificate
5.9issued to an employer or an employee organization that is both:
5.10(1) a health plan as defined in subdivision 3; and
5.11(2) an employee welfare benefit plan as defined in the Employee Retirement Income
5.12Security Act of 1974, United States Code, title 29, section 1002, if the plan provides
5.13payment for medical care to employees, including both current and former employees, or
5.14their dependents, directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise, including
5.15employee welfare benefit plans specifically exempt from the provisions of the Employee
5.16Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 under United States Code, title 29, section 1003.
5.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

5.18    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
5.19    Subd. 3. Health plan. "Health plan" means a policy or certificate of accident and
5.20sickness insurance as defined in section 62A.01 offered by an insurance company licensed
5.21under chapter 60A; a subscriber contract or certificate offered by a nonprofit health
5.22service plan corporation operating under chapter 62C; a health maintenance contract or
5.23certificate offered by a health maintenance organization operating under chapter 62D; a
5.24health benefit certificate offered by a fraternal benefit society operating under chapter
5.2564B; or health coverage offered by a joint self-insurance employee health plan operating
5.26under chapter 62H. Health plan means individual and group coverage, unless otherwise
5.27specified. Health plan does not include coverage that is:
5.28(1) limited to disability or income protection coverage;
5.29(2) automobile medical payment coverage;
5.30(3) supplemental liability insurance, including general liability insurance and
5.31automobile liability insurance, or coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;
5.32(4) designed solely to provide payments on a per diem, fixed indemnity, or
5.33non-expense-incurred basis, including coverage only for a specified disease or illness or
6.1hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance, if the benefits are provided under a
6.2separate policy, certificate, or contract for insurance; there is no coordination between the
6.3provision of benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained
6.4by the same plan sponsor; and the benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard
6.5to whether benefits are provided with respect to such an event under any group health
6.6plan maintained by the same plan sponsor;
6.7(5) credit accident and health insurance as defined in section 62B.02;
6.8(6) designed solely to provide hearing, dental, or vision care;
6.9(7) blanket accident and sickness insurance as defined in section 62A.11;
6.10(8) accident-only coverage;
6.11(9) a long-term care policy as defined in section 62A.46 or 62S.01;
6.12(10) issued as a supplement to Medicare, as defined in sections 62A.3099 to
6.1362A.44 , or policies, contracts, or certificates that supplement Medicare issued by health
6.14maintenance organizations or those policies, contracts, or certificates governed by section
6.151833 or 1876, section 1851, et. seq.; or section 1860D-1, et seq., of title XVIII of the
6.16federal Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1395, et seq., as amended;
6.17(11) workers' compensation insurance; or
6.18(12) issued solely as a companion to a health maintenance contract as described in
6.19section 62D.12, subdivision 1a, so long as the health maintenance contract meets the
6.20definition of a health plan.;
6.21(13) coverage for on-site medical clinics; or
6.22(14) coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under United States Code,
6.23title 10, chapter 55, Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services
6.24(CHAMPUS).
6.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

6.26    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
6.27to read:
6.28    Subd. 4. Individual health plan. "Individual health plan" means a health plan as
6.29defined in subdivision 3 that is offered to individuals in the individual market as defined
6.30in subdivision 5, but does not mean short-term coverage as defined in section 62A.65,
6.31subdivision 7. For purposes of this chapter, a health carrier shall not be deemed to be
6.32offering individual health plan coverage solely because the carrier maintains a conversion
6.33policy in connection with a group health plan.
7.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for coverage effective on or after
7.2January 1, 2014.

7.3    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
7.4to read:
7.5    Subd. 5. Individual market. "Individual market" means the market for health
7.6insurance coverage offered to individuals other than in connection with a group health plan.
7.7EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

7.8    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a
7.9subdivision to read:
7.10    Subd. 6. Minnesota Insurance Marketplace. "Minnesota Insurance Marketplace"
7.11means the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace as defined in section 62V.02.

7.12    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.011, is amended by adding a
7.13subdivision to read:
7.14    Subd. 7. Qualified health plan. "Qualified health plan" means a health plan that
7.15meets the definition in section 1301(a) of the Affordable Care Act and has been certified
7.16by the Board of the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace in accordance with chapter 62V to
7.17be offered through the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace.

7.18    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
7.19to read:
7.20    Subd. 8. Filing by health carriers for purposes of complying with the
7.21certification requirements of the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace. No qualified
7.22health plan shall be offered through the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace until its form
7.23and the premium rates pertaining to the form have been approved by the commissioner of
7.24commerce or health, as appropriate, and the health plan has been determined to comply
7.25with the certification requirements of the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace in accordance
7.26with an agreement between the commissioners of commerce and health and the Minnesota
7.27Insurance Marketplace.
7.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for coverage effective on or after
7.29January 1, 2014.

7.30    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.1    Subdivision 1. Conditions. No policy of individual accident and sickness insurance
8.2may be delivered or issued for delivery to a person in this state unless:
8.3(1) Premium. The entire money and other considerations therefor are expressed
8.4therein.
8.5(2) Time effective. The time at which the insurance takes effect and terminates is
8.6expressed therein.
8.7(3) One person. It purports to insure only one person, except that a policy may
8.8insure, originally or by subsequent amendment, upon the application of an adult member
8.9of a family deemed the policyholder, any two or more eligible members of that family,
8.10including:
8.11(a) husband,
8.12(b) wife,
8.13(c) dependent children as described in sections 62A.302 and 62A.3021, or
8.14(d) any children under a specified age of 19 years or less, or
8.15(e) (d) any other person dependent upon the policyholder.
8.16(4) Appearance. The style, arrangement, and overall appearance of the policy give
8.17no undue prominence to any portion of the text and every printed portion of the text of the
8.18policy and of any endorsements or attached papers is plainly printed in light-face type
8.19of a style in general use. The type size must be uniform and not less than ten point with
8.20a lowercase unspaced alphabet length not less than 120 point. The "text" includes all
8.21printed matter except the name and address of the insurer, name or title of the policy, the
8.22brief description, if any, the reference to renewal or cancellation by a separate statement,
8.23if any, and the captions and subcaptions.
8.24(5) Description of policy. The policy, on the first page, indicates or refers to its
8.25provisions for renewal or cancellation either in the brief description, if any, or by a separate
8.26statement printed in type not smaller than the type used for captions or a separate provision
8.27bearing a caption which accurately describes the renewability or cancelability of the policy.
8.28(6) Exceptions in policy. The exceptions and reductions of indemnity are set
8.29forth in the policy and, except those which are set forth in section 62A.04, printed, at
8.30the insurer's option, either with the benefit provision to which they apply, or under an
8.31appropriate caption such as "EXCEPTIONS" or "EXCEPTIONS AND REDUCTIONS."
8.32However, if an exception or reduction specifically applies only to a particular benefit of
8.33the policy, a statement of the exception or reduction must be included with the benefit
8.34provision to which it applies.
8.35(7) Form number. Each form, including riders and endorsements, is identified by a
8.36form number in the lower left hand corner of the first page thereof.
9.1(8) No incorporation by reference. It contains no provision purporting to make
9.2any portion of the charter, rules, constitution, or bylaws of the insurer a part of the policy
9.3unless the portion is set forth in full in the policy, except in the case of the incorporation
9.4of, or reference to, a statement of rates, classification of risks, or short rate table filed
9.5with the commissioner.
9.6(9) Medical benefits. If the policy contains a provision for medical expense benefits,
9.7the term "medical benefits" or similar terms as used therein includes treatments by all
9.8licensed practitioners of the healing arts unless, subject to the qualifications contained in
9.9clause (10), the policy specifically states the practitioners whose services are covered.
9.10(10) Osteopath, optometrist, chiropractor, or registered nurse services. With
9.11respect to any policy of individual accident and sickness insurance issued or entered
9.12into subsequent to August 1, 1974, notwithstanding the provisions of the policy, if it
9.13contains a provision providing for reimbursement for any service which is in the lawful
9.14scope of practice of a duly licensed osteopath, optometrist, chiropractor, or registered
9.15nurse meeting the requirements of section 62A.15, subdivision 3a, the person entitled to
9.16benefits or person performing services under the policy is entitled to reimbursement on an
9.17equal basis for the service, whether the service is performed by a physician, osteopath,
9.18optometrist, chiropractor, or registered nurse meeting the requirements of section 62A.15,
9.19subdivision 3a , licensed under the laws of this state.
9.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

9.21    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.22    Subd. 2. Required provisions. Except as provided in subdivision 4 each such
9.23policy delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this state shall contain the
9.24provisions specified in this subdivision in the words in which the same appear in this
9.25section. The insurer may, at its option, substitute for one or more of such provisions
9.26corresponding provisions of different wording approved by the commissioner which are
9.27in each instance not less favorable in any respect to the insured or the beneficiary. Such
9.28provisions shall be preceded individually by the caption appearing in this subdivision or, at
9.29the option of the insurer, by such appropriate individual or group captions or subcaptions
9.30as the commissioner may approve.
9.31(1) A provision as follows:
9.32ENTIRE CONTRACT; CHANGES: This policy, including the endorsements and
9.33the attached papers, if any, constitutes the entire contract of insurance. No change in this
9.34policy shall be valid until approved by an executive officer of the insurer and unless such
10.1approval be endorsed hereon or attached hereto. No agent has authority to change this
10.2policy or to waive any of its provisions.
10.3(2) A provision as follows:
10.4TIME LIMIT ON CERTAIN DEFENSES: (a) After two years from the date of issue
10.5of this policy no misstatements, except fraudulent misstatements, made by the applicant
10.6in the application for such policy shall be used to void the policy or to deny a claim for
10.7loss incurred or disability (as defined in the policy) commencing after the expiration
10.8of such two year period.
10.9The foregoing policy provision shall not be so construed as to affect any legal
10.10requirement for avoidance of a policy or denial of a claim during such initial two year
10.11period, nor to limit the application of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), in the event of
10.12misstatement with respect to age or occupation or other insurance. A policy which the
10.13insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of
10.14premium (1) until at least age 50 or, (2) in the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at
10.15least five years from its date of issue, may contain in lieu of the foregoing the following
10.16provisions (from which the clause in parentheses may be omitted at the insurer's option)
10.17under the caption "INCONTESTABLE":
10.18After this policy has been in force for a period of two years during the lifetime of
10.19the insured (excluding any period during which the insured is disabled), it shall become
10.20incontestable as to the statements contained in the application.
10.21(b) No claim for loss incurred or disability (as defined in the policy) commencing after
10.22two years from the date of issue of this policy shall be reduced or denied on the ground that
10.23a disease or physical condition not excluded from coverage by name or specific description
10.24effective on the date of loss had existed prior to the effective date of coverage of this policy.
10.25(3) (a) Except as required for qualified health plans sold through the Minnesota
10.26Insurance Marketplace to individuals receiving advance payments of the premium tax
10.27credit, a provision as follows:
10.28GRACE PERIOD: A grace period of ..... (insert a number not less than "7" for
10.29weekly premium policies, "10" for monthly premium policies and "31" for all other
10.30policies) days will be granted for the payment of each premium falling due after the first
10.31premium, during which grace period the policy shall continue in force.
10.32A policy which contains a cancellation provision may add, at the end of the above
10.33provision,
10.34subject to the right of the insurer to cancel in accordance with the cancellation
10.35provision hereof.
11.1A policy in which the insurer reserves the right to refuse any renewal shall have,
11.2at the beginning of the above provision,
11.3Unless not less than five days prior to the premium due date the insurer has delivered
11.4to the insured or has mailed to the insured's last address as shown by the records of the
11.5insurer written notice of its intention not to renew this policy beyond the period for which
11.6the premium has been accepted.
11.7(b) For qualified health plans sold through the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace
11.8to individuals receiving advance payments of the premium tax credit, a grace period
11.9provision must be included that complies with the Affordable Care Act and is no less
11.10restrictive than the grace period required by the Affordable Care Act.
11.11(4) A provision as follows:
11.12REINSTATEMENT: If any renewal premium be not paid within the time granted the
11.13insured for payment, a subsequent acceptance of premium by the insurer or by any agent
11.14duly authorized by the insurer to accept such premium, without requiring in connection
11.15therewith an application for reinstatement, shall reinstate the policy. If the insurer or
11.16such agent requires an application for reinstatement and issues a conditional receipt for
11.17the premium tendered, the policy will be reinstated upon approval of such application
11.18by the insurer or, lacking such approval, upon the forty-fifth day following the date of
11.19such conditional receipt unless the insurer has previously notified the insured in writing
11.20of its disapproval of such application. For health plans described in section 62A.011,
11.21subdivision 3 , clause (10), an insurer must accept payment of a renewal premium and
11.22reinstate the policy, if the insured applies for reinstatement no later than 60 days after the
11.23due date for the premium payment, unless:
11.24(1) the insured has in the interim left the state or the insurer's service area; or
11.25(2) the insured has applied for reinstatement on two or more prior occasions.
11.26The reinstated policy shall cover only loss resulting from such accidental injury as
11.27may be sustained after the date of reinstatement and loss due to such sickness as may
11.28begin more than ten days after such date. In all other respects the insured and insurer shall
11.29have the same rights thereunder as they had under the policy immediately before the due
11.30date of the defaulted premium, subject to any provisions endorsed hereon or attached
11.31hereto in connection with the reinstatement. Any premium accepted in connection with
11.32a reinstatement shall be applied to a period for which premium has not been previously
11.33paid, but not to any period more than 60 days prior to the date of reinstatement. The last
11.34sentence of the above provision may be omitted from any policy which the insured has
11.35the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premiums
12.1(1) until at least age 50, or, (2) in the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least
12.2five years from its date of issue.
12.3(5) A provision as follows:
12.4NOTICE OF CLAIM: Written notice of claim must be given to the insurer within
12.520 days after the occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the policy, or as
12.6soon thereafter as is reasonably possible. Notice given by or on behalf of the insured or
12.7the beneficiary to the insurer at ..... (insert the location of such office as the insurer may
12.8designate for the purpose), or to any authorized agent of the insurer, with information
12.9sufficient to identify the insured, shall be deemed notice to the insurer.
12.10In a policy providing a loss-of-time benefit which may be payable for at least two
12.11years, an insurer may at its option insert the following between the first and second
12.12sentences of the above provision:
12.13Subject to the qualifications set forth below, if the insured suffers loss of time on
12.14account of disability for which indemnity may be payable for at least two years, the
12.15insured shall, at least once in every six months after having given notice of claim, give to
12.16the insurer notice of continuance of said disability, except in the event of legal incapacity.
12.17The period of six months following any filing of proof by the insured or any payment by
12.18the insurer on account of such claim or any denial of liability in whole or in part by the
12.19insurer shall be excluded in applying this provision. Delay in the giving of such notice
12.20shall not impair the insured's right to any indemnity which would otherwise have accrued
12.21during the period of six months preceding the date on which such notice is actually given.
12.22(6) A provision as follows:
12.23CLAIM FORMS: The insurer, upon receipt of a notice of claim, will furnish to the
12.24claimant such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proofs of loss. If such forms
12.25are not furnished within 15 days after the giving of such notice the claimant shall be
12.26deemed to have complied with the requirements of this policy as to proof of loss upon
12.27submitting, within the time fixed in the policy for filing proofs of loss, written proof
12.28covering the occurrence, the character and the extent of the loss for which claim is made.
12.29(7) A provision as follows:
12.30PROOFS OF LOSS: Written proof of loss must be furnished to the insurer at its
12.31said office in case of claim for loss for which this policy provides any periodic payment
12.32contingent upon continuing loss within 90 days after the termination of the period for
12.33which the insurer is liable and in case of claim for any other loss within 90 days after the
12.34date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within the time required shall not invalidate
12.35nor reduce any claim if it was not reasonably possible to give proof within such time,
13.1provided such proof is furnished as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in
13.2the absence of legal capacity, later than one year from the time proof is otherwise required.
13.3(8) A provision as follows:
13.4TIME OF PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: Indemnities payable under this policy for
13.5any loss other than loss for which this policy provides periodic payment will be paid
13.6immediately upon receipt of due written proof of such loss. Subject to due written proof
13.7of loss, all accrued indemnities for loss for which this policy provides periodic payment
13.8will be paid ..... (insert period for payment which must not be less frequently than
13.9monthly) and any balance remaining unpaid upon the termination of liability will be paid
13.10immediately upon receipt of due written proof.
13.11(9) A provision as follows:
13.12PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: Indemnity for loss of life will be payable in accordance
13.13with the beneficiary designation and the provisions respecting such payment which may
13.14be prescribed herein and effective at the time of payment. If no such designation or
13.15provision is then effective, such indemnity shall be payable to the estate of the insured.
13.16Any other accrued indemnities unpaid at the insured's death may, at the option of the
13.17insurer, be paid either to such beneficiary or to such estate. All other indemnities will
13.18be payable to the insured.
13.19The following provisions, or either of them, may be included with the foregoing
13.20provision at the option of the insurer:
13.21If any indemnity of this policy shall be payable to the estate of the insured, or to an
13.22insured or beneficiary who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release,
13.23the insurer may pay such indemnity, up to an amount not exceeding $..... (insert an amount
13.24which shall not exceed $1,000), to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the
13.25insured or beneficiary who is deemed by the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto. Any
13.26payment made by the insurer in good faith pursuant to this provision shall fully discharge
13.27the insurer to the extent of such payment.
13.28Subject to any written direction of the insured in the application or otherwise all
13.29or a portion of any indemnities provided by this policy on account of hospital, nursing,
13.30medical, or surgical services may, at the insurer's option and unless the insured requests
13.31otherwise in writing not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to
13.32the hospital or person rendering such services; but it is not required that the service be
13.33rendered by a particular hospital or person.
13.34(10) A provision as follows:
13.35PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND AUTOPSY: The insurer at its own expense
13.36shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and as
14.1often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of a claim hereunder and to make
14.2an autopsy in case of death where it is not forbidden by law.
14.3(11) A provision as follows:
14.4LEGAL ACTIONS: No action at law or in equity shall be brought to recover on this
14.5policy prior to the expiration of 60 days after written proof of loss has been furnished in
14.6accordance with the requirements of this policy. No such action shall be brought after the
14.7expiration of three years after the time written proof of loss is required to be furnished.
14.8(12) A provision as follows:
14.9CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY: Unless the insured makes an irrevocable designation
14.10of beneficiary, the right to change of beneficiary is reserved to the insured and the consent
14.11of the beneficiary or beneficiaries shall not be requisite to surrender or assignment of
14.12this policy or to any change of beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to any other changes in
14.13this policy. The first clause of this provision, relating to the irrevocable designation of
14.14beneficiary, may be omitted at the insurer's option.
14.15EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

14.16    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.047, is amended to read:
14.1762A.047 CHILDREN'S HEALTH SUPERVISION SERVICES AND
14.18PRENATAL CARE SERVICES.
14.19A policy of individual or group health and accident insurance regulated under this
14.20chapter, or individual or group subscriber contract regulated under chapter 62C, health
14.21maintenance contract regulated under chapter 62D, or health benefit certificate regulated
14.22under chapter 64B, issued, renewed, or continued to provide coverage to a Minnesota
14.23resident, must provide coverage for child health supervision services and prenatal care
14.24services. The policy, contract, or certificate must specifically exempt reasonable and
14.25customary charges for child health supervision services and prenatal care services from a
14.26deductible, co-payment, or other coinsurance or dollar limitation requirement. Nothing
14.27in this section prohibits a health carrier that has a network of providers from imposing
14.28a deductible, co-payment, or other coinsurance or dollar limitation requirement for
14.29child health supervision services and prenatal care services that are delivered by an
14.30out-of-network provider. This section does not prohibit the use of policy waiting periods
14.31or preexisting condition limitations for these services. Minimum benefits may be limited
14.32to one visit payable to one provider for all of the services provided at each visit cited in
14.33this section subject to the schedule set forth in this section. Nothing in this section applies
14.34to a policy designed primarily to provide coverage payable on a per diem, fixed indemnity,
15.1or non-expense-incurred basis, or a policy that provides only accident coverage. A policy,
15.2contract, or certificate described under this section may not apply preexisting condition
15.3limitations to individuals under 19 years of age. This section does not apply to individual
15.4coverage under a grandfathered plan.
15.5"Child health supervision services" means pediatric preventive services, appropriate
15.6immunizations, developmental assessments, and laboratory services appropriate to the age
15.7of a child from birth to age six, and appropriate immunizations from ages six to 18, as
15.8defined by Standards of Child Health Care issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
15.9Reimbursement must be made for at least five child health supervision visits from birth
15.10to 12 months, three child health supervision visits from 12 months to 24 months, once a
15.11year from 24 months to 72 months.
15.12"Prenatal care services" means the comprehensive package of medical and
15.13psychosocial support provided throughout the pregnancy, including risk assessment,
15.14serial surveillance, prenatal education, and use of specialized skills and technology,
15.15when needed, as defined by Standards for Obstetric-Gynecologic Services issued by the
15.16American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
15.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

15.18    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.049, is amended to read:
15.1962A.049 LIMITATION ON PREAUTHORIZATIONS; EMERGENCIES.
15.20No policy of accident and sickness insurance or group subscriber contract regulated
15.21under chapter 62C issued or renewed in this state may contain a provision that makes an
15.22insured person ineligible to receive full benefits because of the insured's failure to obtain
15.23preauthorization, if that failure occurs because of the need for emergency confinement
15.24or emergency treatment. The insured or an authorized representative of the insured shall
15.25notify the insurer as soon after the beginning of emergency confinement or emergency
15.26treatment as reasonably possible. However, to the extent that the insurer suffers actual
15.27prejudice caused by the failure to obtain preauthorization, the insured may be denied all or
15.28part of the insured's benefits. This provision does not apply to admissions for treatment of
15.29chemical dependency and nervous and mental disorders.
15.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

15.31    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.136, is amended to read:
15.3262A.136 HEARING, DENTAL, AND VISION PLAN COVERAGE.
16.1The following provisions do not apply to health plans as defined in section 62A.011,
16.2subdivision 3 , clause (6), providing hearing, dental, or vision coverage only: sections
16.362A.041 ; 62A.0411; 62A.047; 62A.149; 62A.151; 62A.152; 62A.154; 62A.155; 62A.17,
16.4subdivision 6 ; 62A.21, subdivision 2b; 62A.26; 62A.28; 62A.285; 62A.30; 62A.304; and
16.5 62A.3093; and 62E.16.
16.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

16.7    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.149, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
16.8    Subdivision 1. Application. The provisions of this section apply to all group
16.9policies of accident and health insurance and group subscriber contracts offered by
16.10nonprofit health service plan corporations regulated under chapter 62C, and to a plan or
16.11policy that is individually underwritten or provided for a specific individual and family
16.12members as a nongroup policy unless the individual elects in writing to refuse benefits
16.13under this subdivision in exchange for an appropriate reduction in premiums or subscriber
16.14charges under the policy or plan, when the policies or subscriber contracts are issued or
16.15delivered in Minnesota or provide benefits to Minnesota residents enrolled thereunder.
16.16    This section does not apply to policies designed primarily to provide coverage
16.17payable on a per diem, fixed indemnity or nonexpense incurred basis or policies that
16.18provide accident only coverage.
16.19    Every insurance policy or subscriber contract included within the provisions of this
16.20subdivision, upon issuance or renewal, shall provide coverage that complies with the
16.21requirements of section 62Q.47, paragraphs (b) and (c), for the treatment of alcoholism,
16.22chemical dependency or drug addiction to any Minnesota resident entitled to coverage.
16.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

16.24    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
16.25    Subd. 2. Responsibility of employee. Every covered employee electing to continue
16.26coverage shall pay the former employer, on a monthly basis, the cost of the continued
16.27coverage. The policy, contract, or plan must require the group policyholder or contract
16.28holder to, upon request, provide the employee with written verification from the insurer
16.29of the cost of this coverage promptly at the time of eligibility for this coverage and at
16.30any time during the continuation period. If the policy, contract, or health care plan is
16.31administered by a trust, every covered employee electing to continue coverage shall pay
16.32the trust the cost of continued coverage according to the eligibility rules established by the
16.33trust. In no event shall the amount of premium charged exceed 102 percent of the cost
17.1to the plan for such period of coverage for similarly situated employees with respect to
17.2whom neither termination nor layoff has occurred, without regard to whether such cost
17.3is paid by the employer or employee. The employee shall be eligible to continue the
17.4coverage until the employee becomes covered under another group health plan, or for a
17.5period of 18 months after the termination of or lay off from employment, whichever is
17.6shorter. For an individual age 19 or older, if the employee becomes covered under another
17.7group policy, contract, or health plan and the new group policy, contract, or health plan
17.8contains any preexisting condition limitations, the employee may, subject to the 18-month
17.9maximum continuation limit, continue coverage with the former employer until the
17.10preexisting condition limitations have been satisfied. The new policy, contract, or health
17.11plan is primary except as to the preexisting condition. In the case of a newborn child who
17.12is a dependent of the employee, the new policy, contract, or health plan is primary upon
17.13the date of birth of the child, regardless of which policy, contract, or health plan coverage
17.14is deemed primary for the mother of the child.
17.15EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

17.16    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.17, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
17.17    Subd. 6. Conversion to individual policy. A group insurance policy that provides
17.18posttermination or layoff coverage as required by this section shall also include a
17.19provision allowing a covered employee, surviving spouse, or dependent at the expiration
17.20of the posttermination or layoff coverage provided by subdivision 2 to obtain from the
17.21insurer offering the group policy or group subscriber contract, at the employee's, spouse's,
17.22or dependent's option and expense, without further evidence of insurability and without
17.23interruption of coverage, an individual policy of insurance or an individual subscriber
17.24contract providing at least the minimum benefits of a qualified plan as prescribed by
17.25section 62E.06 and the option of a number three qualified plan, a number two qualified
17.26plan, and a number one qualified plan as provided by section 62E.06, subdivisions 1 to
17.273, provided application is made to the insurer within 30 days following notice of the
17.28expiration of the continued coverage and upon payment of the appropriate premium.
17.29The required conversion contract must treat pregnancy the same as any other covered
17.30illness under the conversion contract. A health maintenance contract issued by a health
17.31maintenance organization that provides posttermination or layoff coverage as required
17.32by this section shall also include a provision allowing a former employee, surviving
17.33spouse, or dependent at the expiration of the posttermination or layoff coverage provided
17.34in subdivision 2 to obtain from the health maintenance organization, at the former
17.35employee's, spouse's, or dependent's option and expense, without further evidence of
18.1insurability and without interruption of coverage, an individual health maintenance
18.2contract. Effective January 1, 1985, enrollees who have become nonresidents of the health
18.3maintenance organization's service area shall be given the option, to be arranged by the
18.4health maintenance organization, of a number three qualified plan, a number two qualified
18.5plan, or a number one qualified plan as provided by section 62E.06, subdivisions 1 to 3.
18.6This option shall be made available at the enrollee's expense, without further evidence of
18.7insurability and without interruption of coverage.
18.8A policy providing reduced benefits at a reduced premium rate may be accepted
18.9by the employee, the spouse, or a dependent in lieu of the optional coverage otherwise
18.10required by this subdivision.
18.11The An individual policy or contract issued as a conversion policy prior to January
18.121, 2014, shall be renewable at the option of the individual as long as the individual is not
18.13covered under another qualified plan as defined in section 62E.02, subdivision 4. Any
18.14revisions in the table of rate for the individual policy shall apply to the covered person's
18.15original age at entry and shall apply equally to all similar conversion policies issued
18.16by the insurer.
18.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

18.18    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.21, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
18.19    Subd. 2b. Conversion privilege. Every policy described in subdivision 1 shall
18.20contain a provision allowing a former spouse and dependent children of an insured,
18.21without providing evidence of insurability, to obtain from the insurer at the expiration of
18.22any continuation of coverage required under subdivision 2a or sections 62A.146 and
18.2362A.20, conversion coverage providing at least the minimum benefits of a qualified
18.24plan as prescribed by section 62E.06 and the option of a number three qualified plan, a
18.25number two qualified plan, a number one qualified plan as provided by section 62E.06,
18.26subdivisions 1 to 3, provided application is made to the insurer within 30 days following
18.27notice of the expiration of the continued coverage and upon payment of the appropriate
18.28premium. The An individual policy or contract issued as a conversion policy prior to
18.29January 1, 2014 shall be renewable at the option of the covered person as long as the
18.30covered person is not covered under another qualified plan as defined in section 62E.02,
18.31subdivision 4 . Any revisions in the table of rate for the individual policy shall apply to the
18.32covered person's original age at entry and shall apply equally to all similar conversion
18.33 policies issued by the insurer.
18.34A policy providing reduced benefits at a reduced premium rate may be accepted by
18.35the covered person in lieu of the optional coverage otherwise required by this subdivision.
19.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

19.2    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
19.3    Subd. 2. Required coverage. Every policy, plan, certificate, or contract referred to
19.4in subdivision 1 issued or renewed after August 1, 1987, must provide coverage for scalp
19.5hair prostheses worn for hair loss suffered as a result of alopecia areata.
19.6The coverage required by this section is subject to the co-payment, coinsurance,
19.7deductible, and other enrollee cost-sharing requirements that apply to similar types of
19.8items under the policy, plan, certificate, or contract, and is limited to a maximum of $350
19.9in any benefit year and may be limited to one prosthesis per benefit year.
19.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

19.11    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.302, is amended to read:
19.1262A.302 COVERAGE OF DEPENDENTS.
19.13    Subdivision 1. Scope of coverage. This section applies to:
19.14(1) a health plan as defined in section 62A.011; and
19.15(2) coverage described in section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (4), (6), (7), (8),
19.16(9), and (10); and
19.17(3) (2) a policy, contract, or certificate issued by a community integrated service
19.18network licensed under chapter 62N.
19.19    Subd. 2. Required coverage. Every health plan included in subdivision 1 that
19.20provides dependent coverage must define "dependent" no more restrictively than the
19.21definition provided in section 62L.02, subdivision 11.
19.22    Subd. 3. No additional restrictions permitted. Any health plan included in
19.23subdivision 1 that provides dependent coverage of children shall make that coverage
19.24available to children until the child attains 26 years of age. A health carrier must not place
19.25restrictions on this coverage and must comply with the following requirements:
19.26(1) with respect to a child who has not attained 26 years of age, a health carrier shall
19.27not define dependent for purposes of eligibility for dependent coverage of children other
19.28than the terms of a relationship between a child and the enrollee or spouse of the enrollee;
19.29(2) a health carrier must not deny or restrict coverage for a child who has not attained
19.3026 years of age based on (i) the presence or absence of the child's financial dependency upon
19.31the participant, primary subscriber, or any other person; (ii) residency with the participant
19.32and in the individual market the primary subscriber, or with any other person; (iii) marital
19.33status; (iv) student status; (v) employment; or (vi) any combination of those factors; and
20.1(3) a health carrier must not deny or restrict coverage of a child based on eligibility
20.2for other coverage, except as provided in subdivision 5.
20.3    Subd. 4. Grandchildren. Nothing in this section requires a health carrier to make
20.4coverage available for a grandchild, unless the grandparent becomes the legal guardian
20.5or adoptive parent of that grandchild or unless the grandchild meets the requirements
20.6of section 62A.042. For grandchildren included under a grandparent's policy pursuant
20.7to section 62A.042, coverage for the grandchild may terminate if the grandchild does
20.8not continue to reside with the covered grandparent continuously from birth, if the
20.9grandchild does not remain financially dependent upon the covered grandparent, or when
20.10the grandchild reaches age 25, except as provided in section 62A.14 or if coverage is
20.11continued under section 62A.20.
20.12    Subd. 5. Terms of coverage of dependents. The terms of coverage in a health plan
20.13offered by a health carrier providing dependent coverage of children cannot vary based on
20.14age except for children who are 26 years of age or older.
20.15    Subd. 6. Opportunity to enroll. A health carrier must comply with all provisions
20.16of the Affordable Care Act in regards to providing an opportunity to enroll in coverage to
20.17any child whose coverage ended, or was not eligible for coverage under a group health
20.18plan or individual health plan because, under the terms of the coverage, the availability
20.19of dependent coverage of a child ended before age 26. This section does not require
20.20compliance with any provision of the Affordable Care Act before the effective date
20.21provided for that provision in the Affordable Care Act. The commissioner shall enforce
20.22this section.
20.23    Subd. 7. Grandfathered plan coverage. (a) For plan years beginning before
20.24January 1, 2014, a group health plan that is a grandfathered plan and makes available
20.25dependent coverage of children may exclude an adult child who has not attained 26
20.26years of age from coverage only if the adult child is eligible to enroll in an eligible
20.27employer-sponsored health benefit plan, as defined in section 5000A(f)(2) of the Internal
20.28Revenue Code, other than the group health plan of a parent.
20.29(b) For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan that is
20.30grandfathered plan coverage shall comply with all requirements of this section.
20.31EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

20.32    Sec. 24. [62A.3021] COVERAGE OF DEPENDENTS BY PLANS OTHER THAN
20.33HEALTH PLANS.
20.34    Subdivision 1. Scope of coverage. This section applies to coverage described in
20.35section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (4), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10).
21.1    Subd. 2. Dependent. "Dependent" means an eligible employee's spouse, unmarried
21.2child who is under the age of 25 years, dependent child of any age who is disabled and
21.3who meets the eligibility criteria in section 62A.14, subdivision 2, or any other person
21.4whom state or federal law requires to be treated as a dependent for purposes of health
21.5plans. For the purpose of this definition, a child includes a child for whom the employee or
21.6the employee's spouse has been appointed legal guardian and an adoptive child as provided
21.7in section 62A.27. A child also includes grandchildren as provided in section 62A.042
21.8with continued eligibility of grandchildren as provided in section 62A.302, subdivision 4.
21.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

21.10    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.615, is amended to read:
21.1162A.615 PREEXISTING CONDITIONS DISCLOSED AT TIME OF
21.12APPLICATION.
21.13No insurer may cancel or rescind a health insurance policy for a preexisting condition
21.14of which the application or other information provided by the insured reasonably gave
21.15the insurer notice. No insurer may restrict coverage for a preexisting condition of which
21.16the application or other information provided by the insured reasonably gave the insurer
21.17notice unless the coverage is restricted at the time the policy is issued and the restriction is
21.18disclosed in writing to the insured at the time the policy is issued. In addition, no health plan
21.19may restrict coverage for a preexisting condition for an individual who is under 19 years
21.20of age. This section does not apply to individual health plans that are grandfathered plans.
21.21EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

21.22    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
21.23    Subd. 3. Premium rate restrictions. No individual health plan may be offered,
21.24sold, issued, or renewed to a Minnesota resident unless the premium rate charged is
21.25determined in accordance with the following requirements:
21.26(a) Premium rates must be no more than 25 percent above and no more than 25
21.27percent below the index rate charged to individuals for the same or similar coverage,
21.28adjusted pro rata for rating periods of less than one year. The premium variations
21.29permitted by this paragraph must be based only upon health status, claims experience,
21.30and occupation. For purposes of this paragraph, health status includes refraining from
21.31tobacco use or other actuarially valid lifestyle factors associated with good health,
21.32provided that the lifestyle factor and its effect upon premium rates have been determined
21.33by the commissioner to be actuarially valid and have been approved by the commissioner.
22.1Variations permitted under this paragraph must not be based upon age or applied
22.2differently at different ages. This paragraph does not prohibit use of a constant percentage
22.3adjustment for factors permitted to be used under this paragraph.
22.4(b) (a) Premium rates may vary based upon the ages of covered persons only as
22.5provided in this paragraph. In addition to the variation permitted under paragraph (a), each
22.6health carrier may use an additional premium variation based upon age of up to plus or
22.7minus 50 percent of the index rate in accordance with the provisions of the Affordable
22.8Care Act.
22.9(c) A health carrier may request approval by the commissioner to establish separate
22.10geographic regions determined by the health carrier and to establish separate index rates
22.11for each such region.
22.12(b) Premium rates may vary based upon geographic rating area. The commissioner
22.13shall grant approval if the following conditions are met:
22.14(1) the geographic regions must be applied uniformly by the health carrier the areas
22.15are established in accordance with the Affordable Care Act;
22.16(2) each geographic region must be composed of no fewer than seven counties that
22.17create a contiguous region; and
22.18(3) the health carrier provides actuarial justification acceptable to the commissioner
22.19for the proposed geographic variations in index rates premium rates for each area,
22.20establishing that the variations are based upon differences in the cost to the health carrier
22.21of providing coverage.
22.22(d) Health carriers may use rate cells and must file with the commissioner the rate
22.23cells they use. Rate cells must be based upon the number of adults or children covered
22.24under the policy and may reflect the availability of Medicare coverage. The rates for
22.25different rate cells must not in any way reflect generalized differences in expected costs
22.26between principal insureds and their spouses.
22.27(c) Premium rates may vary based upon tobacco use, in accordance with the
22.28provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
22.29(e) (d) In developing its index rates and premiums for a health plan, a health carrier
22.30shall take into account only the following factors:
22.31(1) actuarially valid differences in rating factors permitted under paragraphs (a)
22.32and (b) (c); and
22.33(2) actuarially valid geographic variations if approved by the commissioner as
22.34provided in paragraph (c) (b).
23.1(e) The premium charged with respect to any particular individual health plan shall
23.2not be adjusted more frequently than annually or January 1 of the year following initial
23.3enrollment, except that the premium rates may be changed to reflect:
23.4(1) changes to the family composition of the policyholder;
23.5(2) changes in geographic rating area of the policyholder, as provided in paragraph
23.6(b);
23.7(3) changes in age, as provided in paragraph (a);
23.8(4) changes in tobacco use, as provided in paragraph (c);
23.9(5) transfer to a new health plan requested by the policyholder; or
23.10(6) other changes required by or otherwise expressly permitted by state or federal
23.11law or regulations.
23.12(f) All premium variations must be justified in initial rate filings and upon request of
23.13the commissioner in rate revision filings. All rate variations are subject to approval by
23.14the commissioner.
23.15(g) The loss ratio must comply with the section 62A.021 requirements for individual
23.16health plans.
23.17(h) The rates must not be approved, unless the commissioner has determined that the
23.18rates are reasonable. In determining reasonableness, the commissioner shall consider the
23.19growth rates applied under section 62J.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), to the calendar
23.20year or years that the proposed premium rate would be in effect, and actuarially valid
23.21changes in risks associated with the enrollee populations, and actuarially valid changes as
23.22a result of statutory changes in Laws 1992, chapter 549.
23.23(i) An insurer A health carrier may, as part of a minimum lifetime loss ratio
23.24guarantee filing under section 62A.02, subdivision 3a, include a rating practices guarantee
23.25as provided in this paragraph. The rating practices guarantee must be in writing and
23.26must guarantee that the policy form will be offered, sold, issued, and renewed only with
23.27premium rates and premium rating practices that comply with subdivisions 2, 3, 4, and 5.
23.28The rating practices guarantee must be accompanied by an actuarial memorandum that
23.29demonstrates that the premium rates and premium rating system used in connection with
23.30the policy form will satisfy the guarantee. The guarantee must guarantee refunds of any
23.31excess premiums to policyholders charged premiums that exceed those permitted under
23.32subdivision 2, 3, 4, or 5. An insurer A health carrier that complies with this paragraph in
23.33connection with a policy form is exempt from the requirement of prior approval by the
23.34commissioner under paragraphs (c) (b), (f), and (h).
23.35(j) The commissioner may establish regulations to implement the provisions of
23.36the subdivision.
24.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

24.2    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.65, is amended by adding a subdivision
24.3to read:
24.4    Subd. 3a. Disclosure. (a) In connection with the offering for sale of a health plan
24.5in the individual market, a health carrier shall make a reasonable disclosure, as part of
24.6its solicitation and sales materials, of all of the following:
24.7(1) the provisions of the coverage concerning the health carrier's right to change
24.8premium rates and the factors that may affect changes in premium rates; and
24.9(2) a listing of and descriptive information, including benefits and premiums, about
24.10all individual health plans actively marketed by the health carrier and the availability of
24.11the individual health plans for which the individual is qualified.
24.12(b) Paragraph (a), clause (1), may be satisfied by referring individuals to the Health
24.13and Human Services Web portal, as defined under the Affordable Care Act.

24.14    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.65, is amended by adding a subdivision
24.15to read:
24.16    Subd. 3b. Single risk pool. A health carrier shall consider all enrollees in all health
24.17plans, other than short-term and grandfathered plan coverage, offered by the health carrier
24.18in the individual market, including those enrollees who enroll in qualified health plans
24.19offered through the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace, to be members of a single risk pool.

24.20    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.65, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
24.21    Subd. 5. Portability and conversion of coverage. (a) For plan years beginning
24.22on or after January 1, 2014, no individual health plan may be offered, sold, issued, or
24.23with respect to children age 18 or under renewed, to a Minnesota resident that contains a
24.24preexisting condition limitation, preexisting condition exclusion, or exclusionary rider,
24.25unless the limitation or exclusion is permitted under this subdivision and under chapter
24.2662L, provided that, except for children age 18 or under, underwriting restrictions may
24.27be retained on individual contracts that are issued without evidence of insurability as a
24.28replacement for prior individual coverage that was sold before May 17, 1993. The An
24.29 individual age 19 or older may be subjected to an 18-month preexisting condition limitation
24.30 during plan years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, unless the individual has maintained
24.31continuous coverage as defined in section 62L.02. The individual must not be subjected to
24.32an exclusionary rider. During plan years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, an individual
24.33who is age 19 or older and who has maintained continuous coverage may be subjected to a
25.1onetime preexisting condition limitation of up to 12 months, with credit for time covered
25.2under qualifying coverage as defined in section 62L.02, at the time that the individual first
25.3is covered under an individual health plan by any health carrier. Credit must be given for
25.4all qualifying coverage with respect to all preexisting conditions, regardless of whether
25.5the conditions were preexisting with respect to any previous qualifying coverage. The
25.6individual must not be subjected to an exclusionary rider. Thereafter, the individual who is
25.7age 19 or older must not be subject to any preexisting condition limitation, preexisting
25.8condition exclusion, or exclusionary rider under an individual health plan by any health
25.9carrier, except an unexpired portion of a limitation under prior coverage, so long as the
25.10individual maintains continuous coverage as defined in section 62L.02. The prohibition on
25.11preexisting condition limitations for children age 18 or under does not apply to individual
25.12health plans that are grandfathered plans. The prohibition on preexisting condition
25.13limitations for adults age 19 and over beginning for plan years on or after January 1, 2014
25.14does not apply to individual health plans that are grandfathered plans.
25.15(b) A health carrier must offer an individual health plan to any individual previously
25.16covered under a group health plan issued by that health carrier, regardless of the size of
25.17the group, so long as the individual maintained continuous coverage as defined in section
25.1862L.02 . If the individual has available any continuation coverage provided under sections
25.1962A.146 ; 62A.148; 62A.17, subdivisions 1 and 2; 62A.20; 62A.21; 62C.142; 62D.101; or
25.2062D.105 , or continuation coverage provided under federal law, the health carrier need not
25.21offer coverage under this paragraph until the individual has exhausted the continuation
25.22coverage. The offer must not be subject to underwriting, except as permitted under this
25.23paragraph. A health plan issued under this paragraph must be a qualified plan as defined
25.24in section 62E.02 and must not contain any preexisting condition limitation, preexisting
25.25condition exclusion, or exclusionary rider, except for any unexpired limitation or
25.26exclusion under the previous coverage. The individual health plan must cover pregnancy
25.27on the same basis as any other covered illness under the individual health plan. The offer
25.28of coverage by the health carrier must inform the individual that the coverage, including
25.29what is covered and the health care providers from whom covered care may be obtained,
25.30may not be the same as the individual's coverage under the group health plan. The offer
25.31of coverage by the health carrier must also inform the individual that the individual, if
25.32a Minnesota resident, may be eligible to obtain coverage from (i) other private sources
25.33of health coverage, or (ii) the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association, without a
25.34preexisting condition limitation, and must provide the telephone number used by that
25.35association for enrollment purposes. The initial premium rate for the individual health
25.36plan must comply with subdivision 3. The premium rate upon renewal must comply with
26.1subdivision 2. In no event shall the premium rate exceed 100 percent of the premium
26.2charged for comparable individual coverage by the Minnesota Comprehensive Health
26.3Association, and the premium rate must be less than that amount if necessary to otherwise
26.4comply with this section. An individual health plan offered under this paragraph to a
26.5person satisfies the health carrier's obligation to offer conversion coverage under section
26.662E.16, with respect to that person. Coverage issued under this paragraph must provide
26.7that it cannot be canceled or nonrenewed as a result of the health carrier's subsequent
26.8decision to leave the individual, small employer, or other group market. Section 72A.20,
26.9subdivision 28 , applies to this paragraph.
26.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment,
26.11except that the amendment made to paragraph (b) is effective January 1, 2014.

26.12    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.65, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
26.13    Subd. 6. Guaranteed issue not required. (a) Nothing in this section requires a
26.14health carrier to initially issue a health plan to a Minnesota resident who is age 19 or older
26.15on the date the health plan becomes effective if the effective date is prior to January 1,
26.162014, except as otherwise expressly provided in subdivision 4 or 5.
26.17(b) Guaranteed issue is required for all health plans, except grandfathered plans,
26.18beginning January 1, 2014.
26.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

26.20    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62A.65, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
26.21    Subd. 7. Short-term coverage. (a) For purposes of this section, "short-term
26.22coverage" means an individual health plan that:
26.23(1) is issued to provide coverage for a period of 185 days or less, except that the
26.24health plan may permit coverage to continue until the end of a period of hospitalization
26.25for a condition for which the covered person was hospitalized on the day that coverage
26.26would otherwise have ended;
26.27(2) is nonrenewable, provided that the health carrier may provide coverage for one or
26.28more subsequent periods that satisfy clause (1), if the total of the periods of coverage do not
26.29exceed a total of 365 days out of any 555-day period, plus any additional days covered as a
26.30result of hospitalization on the day that a period of coverage would otherwise have ended;
26.31(3) does not cover any preexisting conditions, including ones that originated during
26.32a previous identical policy or contract with the same health carrier where coverage was
26.33continuous between the previous and the current policy or contract; and
27.1(4) is available with an immediate effective date without underwriting upon receipt
27.2of a completed application indicating eligibility under the health carrier's eligibility
27.3requirements, provided that coverage that includes optional benefits may be offered on a
27.4basis that does not meet this requirement.
27.5(b) Short-term coverage is not subject to subdivisions 2 and 5. Short-term coverage
27.6may exclude as a preexisting condition any injury, illness, or condition for which the
27.7covered person had medical treatment, symptoms, or any manifestations before the
27.8effective date of the coverage, but dependent children born or placed for adoption during
27.9the policy period must not be subject to this provision.
27.10(c) Notwithstanding subdivision 3, and section 62A.021, a health carrier may
27.11combine short-term coverage with its most commonly sold individual qualified plan, as
27.12defined in section 62E.02, other than short-term coverage, for purposes of complying
27.13with the loss ratio requirement.
27.14(d) The 365-day coverage limitation provided in paragraph (a) applies to the total
27.15number of days of short-term coverage that covers a person, regardless of the number of
27.16policies, contracts, or health carriers that provide the coverage. A written application for
27.17short-term coverage must ask the applicant whether the applicant has been covered by
27.18short-term coverage by any health carrier within the 555 days immediately preceding the
27.19effective date of the coverage being applied for. Short-term coverage issued in violation
27.20of the 365-day limitation is valid until the end of its term and does not lose its status as
27.21short-term coverage, in spite of the violation. A health carrier that knowingly issues
27.22short-term coverage in violation of the 365-day limitation is subject to the administrative
27.23penalties otherwise available to the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner
27.24of health, as appropriate.
27.25(e) Time spent under short-term coverage counts as time spent under a preexisting
27.26condition limitation for purposes of group or individual health plans, other than short-term
27.27coverage, subsequently issued to that person, or to cover that person, by any health carrier,
27.28if the person maintains continuous coverage as defined in section 62L.02. Short-term
27.29coverage is a health plan and is qualifying coverage as defined in section 62L.02.
27.30Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a health carrier is not required under any
27.31circumstances to provide a person covered by short-term coverage the right to obtain
27.32coverage on a guaranteed issue basis under another health plan offered by the health
27.33carrier, as a result of the person's enrollment in short-term coverage.
27.34EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

27.35    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62C.14, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
28.1    Subd. 5. Disabled dependents. A subscriber's individual contract or any group
28.2contract delivered or issued for delivery in this state and providing that coverage of
28.3a dependent child of the subscriber or a dependent child of a covered group member
28.4shall terminate upon attainment of a specified limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01,
28.5subdivision 9, shall also provide in substance that attainment of that age shall not terminate
28.6coverage while the child is (a) incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of
28.7developmental disability, mental illness or disorder, or physical disability, and (b) chiefly
28.8dependent upon the subscriber or employee for support and maintenance, provided proof
28.9of incapacity and dependency is furnished by the subscriber within 31 days of attainment
28.10of the limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision 9, and subsequently as
28.11required by the corporation, but not more frequently than annually after a two-year period
28.12following attainment of the age. Any notice regarding termination of coverage due to
28.13attainment of the limiting age must include information about this provision.
28.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

28.15    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62C.142, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
28.16    Subd. 2. Conversion privilege. Every subscriber contract, other than a contract
28.17whose continuance is contingent upon continued employment or membership, which
28.18contains a provision for termination of coverage of the spouse upon dissolution of
28.19marriage shall contain a provision allowing a former spouse and dependent children of a
28.20subscriber, without providing evidence of insurability, to obtain from the corporation at
28.21the expiration of any continuation of coverage required under subdivision 2a or section
28.2262A.146, or upon termination of coverage by reason of an entry of a valid decree of
28.23dissolution which does not require the insured to provide continued coverage for the
28.24former spouse, an individual subscriber contract providing at least the minimum benefits
28.25of a qualified plan as prescribed by section 62E.06 and the option of a number three
28.26qualified plan, a number two qualified plan, a number one qualified plan as provided by
28.27section 62E.06, subdivisions 1 to 3, provided application is made to the corporation within
28.2830 days following notice of the expiration of the continued coverage and upon payment of
28.29the appropriate fee. A subscriber contract providing reduced benefits at a reduced fee may
28.30be accepted by the former spouse and dependent children in lieu of the optional coverage
28.31otherwise required by this subdivision. The An individual subscriber contract issued as
28.32conversion coverage shall be renewable at the option of the former spouse as long as the
28.33former spouse is not covered under another qualified plan as defined in section 62E.02,
28.34subdivision 4 . Any revisions in the table of rate for the individual subscriber contract shall
29.1apply to the former spouse's original age at entry and shall apply equally to all similar
29.2contracts issued as conversion coverage by the corporation.
29.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

29.4    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62D.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
29.5    Subd. 3. Required provisions. Contracts and evidences of coverage shall contain:
29.6(a) no provisions or statements which are unjust, unfair, inequitable, misleading,
29.7deceptive, or which are untrue, misleading, or deceptive as defined in section 62D.12,
29.8subdivision 1 ;
29.9(b) a clear, concise and complete statement of:
29.10(1) the health care services and the insurance or other benefits, if any, to which the
29.11enrollee is entitled under the health maintenance contract;
29.12(2) any exclusions or limitations on the services, kind of services, benefits, or kind of
29.13benefits, to be provided, including any deductible or co-payment feature and requirements
29.14for referrals, prior authorizations, and second opinions;
29.15(3) where and in what manner information is available as to how services, including
29.16emergency and out of area services, may be obtained;
29.17(4) the total amount of payment and co-payment, if any, for health care services
29.18and the indemnity or service benefits, if any, which the enrollee is obligated to pay
29.19with respect to individual contracts, or an indication whether the plan is contributory or
29.20noncontributory with respect to group certificates; and
29.21(5) a description of the health maintenance organization's method for resolving
29.22enrollee complaints and a statement identifying the commissioner as an external source
29.23with whom complaints may be registered; and
29.24(c) on the cover page of the evidence of coverage and contract, a clear and complete
29.25statement of enrollees' rights. The statement must be in bold print and captioned
29.26"Important Enrollee Information and Enrollee Bill of Rights" and must include but not be
29.27limited to the following provisions in the following language or in substantially similar
29.28language approved in advance by the commissioner, except that paragraph (8) does not
29.29apply to prepaid health plans providing coverage for programs administered by the
29.30commissioner of human services:
29.32(1) COVERED SERVICES: Services provided by (name of health maintenance
29.33organization) will be covered only if services are provided by participating (name of
29.34health maintenance organization) providers or authorized by (name of health maintenance
30.1organization). Your contract fully defines what services are covered and describes
30.2procedures you must follow to obtain coverage.
30.3(2) PROVIDERS: Enrolling in (name of health maintenance organization) does not
30.4guarantee services by a particular provider on the list of providers. When a provider is
30.5no longer part of (name of health maintenance organization), you must choose among
30.6remaining (name of the health maintenance organization) providers.
30.7(3) REFERRALS: Certain services are covered only upon referral. See section
30.8(section number) of your contract for referral requirements. All referrals to non-(name of
30.9health maintenance organization) providers and certain types of health care providers must
30.10be authorized by (name of health maintenance organization).
30.11(4) EMERGENCY SERVICES: Emergency services from providers who are not
30.12affiliated with (name of health maintenance organization) will be covered only if proper
30.13procedures are followed. Your contract explains the procedures and benefits associated
30.14with emergency care from (name of health maintenance organization) and non-(name of
30.15health maintenance organization) providers.
30.16(5) EXCLUSIONS: Certain services or medical supplies are not covered. You
30.17should read the contract for a detailed explanation of all exclusions.
30.18(6) CONTINUATION: You may convert to an individual health maintenance
30.19organization contract or continue coverage under certain circumstances. These
30.20continuation and conversion rights are explained fully in your contract.
30.21(7) CANCELLATION: Your coverage may be canceled by you or (name of health
30.22maintenance organization) only under certain conditions. Your contract describes all
30.23reasons for cancellation of coverage.
30.24(8) NEWBORN COVERAGE: If your health plan provides for dependent coverage,
30.25a newborn infant is covered from birth, but only if services are provided by participating
30.26(name of health maintenance organization) providers or authorized by (name of health
30.27maintenance organization). Certain services are covered only upon referral. (Name
30.28of health maintenance organization) will not automatically know of the infant's birth
30.29or that you would like coverage under your plan. You should notify (name of health
30.30maintenance organization) of the infant's birth and that you would like coverage. If your
30.31contract requires an additional premium for each dependent, (name of health maintenance
30.32organization) is entitled to all premiums due from the time of the infant's birth until the
30.33time you notify (name of health maintenance organization) of the birth. (Name of health
30.34maintenance organization) may withhold payment of any health benefits for the newborn
30.35infant until any premiums you owe are paid.
31.1(9) PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT: Enrolling in (name
31.2of health maintenance organization) does not guarantee that any particular prescription
31.3drug will be available nor that any particular piece of medical equipment will be available,
31.4even if the drug or equipment is available at the start of the contract year.
31.6(1) Enrollees have the right to available and accessible services including emergency
31.7services, as defined in your contract, 24 hours a day and seven days a week;
31.8(2) Enrollees have the right to be informed of health problems, and to receive
31.9information regarding treatment alternatives and risks which is sufficient to assure
31.10informed choice;
31.11(3) Enrollees have the right to refuse treatment, and the right to privacy of medical
31.12and financial records maintained by the health maintenance organization and its health
31.13care providers, in accordance with existing law;
31.14(4) Enrollees have the right to file a complaint with the health maintenance
31.15organization and the commissioner of health and the right to initiate a legal proceeding
31.16when experiencing a problem with the health maintenance organization or its health
31.17care providers;
31.18(5) Enrollees have the right to a grace period of 31 days for the payment of each
31.19premium for an individual health maintenance contract falling due after the first premium
31.20during which period the contract shall continue in force;
31.21(6) Medicare enrollees have the right to voluntarily disenroll from the health
31.22maintenance organization and the right not to be requested or encouraged to disenroll
31.23except in circumstances specified in federal law; and
31.24(7) Medicare enrollees have the right to a clear description of nursing home and
31.25home care benefits covered by the health maintenance organization.
31.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

31.27    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62D.095, is amended to read:
31.2862D.095 ENROLLEE COST SHARING.
31.29    Subdivision 1. General application. A health maintenance contract may contain
31.30enrollee cost-sharing provisions as specified in this section. Co-payment and deductible
31.31provisions in a group contract must not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race,
31.32disability, economic status, or length of enrollment in the health plan. During an
31.33open enrollment period in which all offered health plans fully participate without any
32.1underwriting restrictions, co-payment and deductible provisions must not discriminate
32.2on the basis of preexisting health status.
32.3    Subd. 2. Co-payments. (a) A health maintenance contract may impose a
32.4co-payment as authorized under Minnesota Rules, part 4685.0801, or under this section
32.5 and coinsurance consistent with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act as defined
32.6under section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
32.7(b) A health maintenance organization may impose a flat fee co-payment on
32.8outpatient office visits not to exceed 40 percent of the median provider's charges for
32.9similar services or goods received by the enrollees as calculated under Minnesota Rules,
32.10part 4685.0801. A health maintenance organization may impose a flat fee co-payment on
32.11outpatient prescription drugs not to exceed 50 percent of the median provider's charges
32.12for similar services or goods received by the enrollees as calculated under Minnesota
32.13Rules, part 4685.0801.
32.14(c) If a health maintenance contract is permitted to impose a co-payment for
32.15preexisting health status under sections 62D.01 to 62D.30, these provisions may vary with
32.16respect to length of enrollment in the health plan.
32.17    Subd. 3. Deductibles. (a) A health maintenance contract issued by a health
32.18maintenance organization that is assessed less than three percent of the total annual amount
32.19assessed by the Minnesota comprehensive health association may impose deductibles not
32.20to exceed $3,000 per person, per year and $6,000 per family, per year. For purposes of
32.21the percentage calculation, a health maintenance organization's assessments include those
32.22of its affiliates may impose a deductible consistent with the provisions of the Affordable
32.23Care Act as defined under section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
32.24(b) All other health maintenance contracts may impose deductibles not to exceed
32.25$2,250 per person, per year and $4,500 per family, per year.
32.26    Subd. 4. Annual out-of-pocket maximums. (a) A health maintenance contract
32.27issued by a health maintenance organization that is assessed less than three percent of the
32.28total annual amount assessed by the Minnesota comprehensive health association must
32.29include a limitation not to exceed $4,500 per person and $7,500 per family on total annual
32.30out-of-pocket enrollee cost-sharing expenses. For purposes of the percentage calculation,
32.31a health maintenance organization's assessments include those of its affiliates may impose
32.32an annual out-of-pocket maximum consistent with the provisions of the Affordable Care
32.33Act as defined under section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
32.34(b) All other health maintenance contracts must include a limitation not to
32.35exceed $3,000 per person and $6,000 per family on total annual out-of-pocket enrollee
32.36cost-sharing expenses.
33.1    Subd. 5. Exceptions. No co-payments or deductibles may be imposed on preventive
33.2health care services as described in Minnesota Rules, part 4685.0801, subpart 8 consistent
33.3with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act as defined under section 62A.011,
33.4subdivision 1a.
33.5    Subd. 6. Public programs. This section does not apply to the prepaid medical
33.6assistance program, the MinnesotaCare program, the prepaid general assistance program,
33.7the federal Medicare program, or the health plans provided through any of those programs.
33.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

33.9    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62D.181, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
33.10    Subd. 7. Replacement coverage; limitations. The association is not obligated
33.11to offer replacement coverage under this chapter or conversion coverage under section
33.1262E.16 at the end of the periods specified in subdivision 6. Any continuation obligation
33.13arising under this chapter or chapter 62A will cease at the end of the periods specified in
33.14subdivision 6.
33.15EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

33.16    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
33.17to read:
33.18    Subd. 2a. Essential health benefits. "Essential health benefits" has the meaning
33.19given under section 62Q.81, subdivision 4.
33.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

33.21    Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
33.22    Subd. 4. Major medical coverage. Each insurer and fraternal shall affirmatively
33.23offer coverage of major medical expenses to every applicant who applies to the insurer
33.24or fraternal for a new unqualified policy, which has a lifetime benefit limit of less than
33.25$1,000,000, at the time of application and annually to every holder of such an unqualified
33.26policy of accident and health insurance renewed by the insurer or fraternal. The coverage
33.27shall provide that when a covered individual incurs out-of-pocket expenses of $5,000
33.28or more within a calendar year for services covered in section 62E.06, subdivision 1,
33.29benefits shall be payable, subject to any co-payment authorized by the commissioner, up
33.30to a maximum lifetime limit of not less than $1,000,000 and shall not contain a lifetime
33.31maximum on essential health benefits. The offer of coverage of major medical expenses
34.1may consist of the offer of a rider on an existing unqualified policy or a new policy which
34.2is a qualified plan.
34.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

34.4    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.04, is amended by adding a subdivision
34.5to read:
34.6    Subd. 11. Essential health benefits package. For individual or small group health
34.7plans that include the essential health benefits package and are offered, sold, issued, or
34.8renewed on or after January 1, 2014, the requirements of this section do not apply.

34.9    Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
34.10    Subdivision 1. Number three plan. A plan of health coverage shall be certified as a
34.11number three qualified plan if it otherwise meets the requirements established by chapters
34.1262A, 62C, and 62Q, and the other laws of this state, whether or not the policy is issued in
34.13Minnesota, and meets or exceeds the following minimum standards:
34.14(a) The minimum benefits for a covered individual shall, subject to the other
34.15provisions of this subdivision, be equal to at least 80 percent of the cost of covered services
34.16in excess of an annual deductible which does not exceed $150 per person. The coverage
34.17shall include a limitation of $3,000 per person on total annual out-of-pocket expenses for
34.18services covered under this subdivision. The coverage shall not be subject to a maximum
34.19lifetime benefit of not less than $1,000,000 lifetime maximum on essential health benefits.
34.20The prohibition on lifetime maximums for essential health benefits and $3,000
34.21limitation on total annual out-of-pocket expenses and the $1,000,000 maximum lifetime
34.22benefit shall not be subject to change or substitution by use of an actuarially equivalent
34.23benefit.
34.24(b) Covered expenses shall be the usual and customary charges for the following
34.25services and articles when prescribed by a physician:
34.26(1) hospital services;
34.27(2) professional services for the diagnosis or treatment of injuries, illnesses, or
34.28conditions, other than dental, which are rendered by a physician or at the physician's
34.29direction;
34.30(3) drugs requiring a physician's prescription;
34.31(4) services of a nursing home for not more than 120 days in a year if the services
34.32would qualify as reimbursable services under Medicare;
34.33(5) services of a home health agency if the services would qualify as reimbursable
34.34services under Medicare;
35.1(6) use of radium or other radioactive materials;
35.2(7) oxygen;
35.3(8) anesthetics;
35.4(9) prostheses other than dental but including scalp hair prostheses worn for hair
35.5loss suffered as a result of alopecia areata;
35.6(10) rental or purchase, as appropriate, of durable medical equipment other than
35.7eyeglasses and hearing aids, unless coverage is required under section 62Q.675;
35.8(11) diagnostic x-rays and laboratory tests;
35.9(12) oral surgery for partially or completely unerupted impacted teeth, a tooth root
35.10without the extraction of the entire tooth, or the gums and tissues of the mouth when not
35.11performed in connection with the extraction or repair of teeth;
35.12(13) services of a physical therapist;
35.13(14) transportation provided by licensed ambulance service to the nearest facility
35.14qualified to treat the condition; or a reasonable mileage rate for transportation to a kidney
35.15dialysis center for treatment; and
35.16(15) services of an occupational therapist.
35.17(c) Covered expenses for the services and articles specified in this subdivision do
35.18not include the following:
35.19(1) any charge for care for injury or disease either (i) arising out of an injury in the
35.20course of employment and subject to a workers' compensation or similar law, (ii) for
35.21which benefits are payable without regard to fault under coverage statutorily required
35.22to be contained in any motor vehicle, or other liability insurance policy or equivalent
35.23self-insurance, or (iii) for which benefits are payable under another policy of accident and
35.24health insurance, Medicare, or any other governmental program except as otherwise
35.25provided by section 62A.04, subdivision 3, clause (4);
35.26(2) any charge for treatment for cosmetic purposes other than for reconstructive
35.27surgery when such service is incidental to or follows surgery resulting from injury,
35.28sickness, or other diseases of the involved part or when such service is performed on a
35.29covered dependent child because of congenital disease or anomaly which has resulted in a
35.30functional defect as determined by the attending physician;
35.31(3) care which is primarily for custodial or domiciliary purposes which would not
35.32qualify as eligible services under Medicare;
35.33(4) any charge for confinement in a private room to the extent it is in excess of
35.34the institution's charge for its most common semiprivate room, unless a private room is
35.35prescribed as medically necessary by a physician, provided, however, that if the institution
36.1does not have semiprivate rooms, its most common semiprivate room charge shall be
36.2considered to be 90 percent of its lowest private room charge;
36.3(5) that part of any charge for services or articles rendered or prescribed by a
36.4physician, dentist, or other health care personnel which exceeds the prevailing charge in
36.5the locality where the service is provided; and
36.6(6) any charge for services or articles the provision of which is not within the scope
36.7of authorized practice of the institution or individual rendering the services or articles.
36.8(d) The minimum benefits for a qualified plan shall include, in addition to those
36.9benefits specified in clauses (a) and (e), benefits for well baby care, effective July 1,
36.101980, subject to applicable deductibles, coinsurance provisions, and maximum lifetime
36.11benefit limitations.
36.12(e) Effective July 1, 1979, the minimum benefits of a qualified plan shall include, in
36.13addition to those benefits specified in clause (a), a second opinion from a physician on
36.14all surgical procedures expected to cost a total of $500 or more in physician, laboratory,
36.15and hospital fees, provided that the coverage need not include the repetition of any
36.16diagnostic tests.
36.17(f) Effective August 1, 1985, the minimum benefits of a qualified plan must include,
36.18in addition to the benefits specified in clauses (a), (d), and (e), coverage for special dietary
36.19treatment for phenylketonuria when recommended by a physician.
36.20(g) Outpatient mental health coverage is subject to section 62A.152, subdivision 2.
36.21EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

36.22    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.09, is amended to read:
36.2362E.09 DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.
36.24The commissioner may:
36.25(a) formulate general policies to advance the purposes of sections 62E.01 to 62E.19;
36.26(b) supervise the creation of the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association
36.27within the limits described in section 62E.10;
36.28(c) approve the selection of the writing carrier by the association, approve the
36.29association's contract with the writing carrier, and approve the state plan coverage;
36.30(d) appoint advisory committees;
36.31(e) conduct periodic audits to assure the general accuracy of the financial data
36.32submitted by the writing carrier and the association;
36.33(f) contract with the federal government or any other unit of government to ensure
36.34coordination of the state plan with other governmental assistance programs;
37.1(g) undertake directly or through contracts with other persons studies or
37.2demonstration programs to develop awareness of the benefits of sections 62E.01 to 62E.16
37.3 62E.15, so that the residents of this state may best avail themselves of the health care
37.4benefits provided by these sections;
37.5(h) contract with insurers and others for administrative services; and
37.6(i) adopt, amend, suspend and repeal rules as reasonably necessary to carry out and
37.7make effective the provisions and purposes of sections 62E.01 to 62E.19.
37.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

37.9    Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
37.10    Subd. 7. General powers. The association may:
37.11(a) Exercise the powers granted to insurers under the laws of this state;
37.12(b) Sue or be sued;
37.13(c) Enter into contracts with insurers, similar associations in other states or with
37.14other persons for the performance of administrative functions including the functions
37.15provided for in clauses (e) and (f);
37.16(d) Establish administrative and accounting procedures for the operation of the
37.17association;
37.18(e) Provide for the reinsuring of risks incurred as a result of issuing the coverages
37.19required by sections section 62E.04 and 62E.16 by members of the association. Each
37.20member which elects to reinsure its required risks shall determine the categories of
37.21coverage it elects to reinsure in the association. The categories of coverage are:
37.22(1) individual qualified plans, excluding group conversions;
37.23(2) group conversions;
37.24(3) group qualified plans with fewer than 50 employees or members; and
37.25(4) major medical coverage.
37.26A separate election may be made for each category of coverage. If a member elects
37.27to reinsure the risks of a category of coverage, it must reinsure the risk of the coverage
37.28of every life covered under every policy issued in that category. A member electing to
37.29reinsure risks of a category of coverage shall enter into a contract with the association
37.30establishing a reinsurance plan for the risks. This contract may include provision for
37.31the pooling of members' risks reinsured through the association and it may provide for
37.32assessment of each member reinsuring risks for losses and operating and administrative
37.33expenses incurred, or estimated to be incurred in the operation of the reinsurance plan. This
37.34reinsurance plan shall be approved by the commissioner before it is effective. Members
37.35electing to administer the risks which are reinsured in the association shall comply with the
38.1benefit determination guidelines and accounting procedures established by the association.
38.2The fee charged by the association for the reinsurance of risks shall not be less than 110
38.3percent of the total anticipated expenses incurred by the association for the reinsurance; and
38.4(f) Provide for the administration by the association of policies which are reinsured
38.5pursuant to clause (e). Each member electing to reinsure one or more categories of
38.6coverage in the association may elect to have the association administer the categories of
38.7coverage on the member's behalf. If a member elects to have the association administer
38.8the categories of coverage, it must do so for every life covered under every policy issued
38.9in that category. The fee for the administration shall not be less than 110 percent of the
38.10total anticipated expenses incurred by the association for the administration.
38.11EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

38.12    Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62H.04, is amended to read:
38.1362H.04 COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS.
38.14(a) A joint self-insurance plan is subject to the requirements of chapters 62A, 62E,
38.1562L, and 62Q, and sections 72A.17 to 72A.32 unless otherwise specifically exempt. A
38.16joint self-insurance plan must pay assessments made by the Minnesota Comprehensive
38.17Health Association, as required under section 62E.11.
38.18(b) A joint self-insurance plan is exempt from providing the mandated health
38.19benefits described in chapters 62A, 62E, 62L, and 62Q if it otherwise provides the benefits
38.20required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, United States
38.21Code, title 29, sections 1001, et seq., for all employers and not just for the employers with
38.2250 or more employees who are covered by that federal law.
38.23(c) A joint self-insurance plan is exempt from section 62L.03, subdivision 1, if the
38.24plan offers an annual open enrollment period of no less than 15 days during which all
38.25employers that qualify for membership may enter the plan without preexisting condition
38.26limitations or exclusions except those permitted under chapter 62L.
38.27(d) A joint self-insurance plan is exempt from sections 62A.146, 62A.16, 62A.17,
38.2862A.20 , 62A.21, and 62A.65, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), and 62E.16 if the joint
38.29self-insurance plan complies with the continuation requirements under the Employee
38.30Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, United States Code, title 29, sections 1001, et
38.31seq., for all employers and not just for the employers with 20 or more employees who
38.32are covered by that federal law.
38.33(e) A joint self-insurance plan must provide to all employers the maternity coverage
38.34required by federal law for employers with 15 or more employees.
39.1(f) A joint self-insurance plan must comply with all the provisions and requirements
39.2of the Affordable Care Act as defined under section 62A.011, subdivision 1a, to the extent
39.3that they apply to such plans.
39.4EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment,
39.5except that the amendment made to paragraph (d) is effective January 1, 2014.

39.6    Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.02, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
39.7    Subd. 11. Dependent. "Dependent" means an eligible employee's spouse,
39.8unmarried child who is under the age of 25 years dependent child to the limiting age as
39.9defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision 9, dependent child of any age who is disabled and
39.10who meets the eligibility criteria in section 62A.14, subdivision 2, or any other person
39.11whom state or federal law requires to be treated as a dependent for purposes of health
39.12plans. For the purpose of this definition, a dependent child to the limiting age as defined in
39.13section 62Q.01, subdivision 9, includes a child for whom the employee or the employee's
39.14spouse has been appointed legal guardian and an adoptive child as provided in section
39.1562A.27 . A child also means a grandchild as provided in section 62A.042 with continued
39.16eligibility of grandchildren as provided in section 62A.302, subdivision 4.
39.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

39.18    Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.02, subdivision 14a, is amended to read:
39.19    Subd. 14a. Guaranteed issue. "Guaranteed issue" means that a health carrier shall
39.20not decline an application by a small employer for any health benefit plan offered by
39.21that health carrier and shall not decline to cover under a health benefit plan any eligible
39.22employee or eligible dependent, including persons who become eligible employees or
39.23eligible dependents after initial issuance of the health benefit plan, subject to the health
39.24carrier's right to impose preexisting condition limitations permitted under this chapter.
39.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

39.26    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
39.27to read:
39.28    Subd. 17a. Individual health plan. "Individual health plan" has the meaning as
39.29defined under section 62A.011, subdivision 4.
39.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

40.1    Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.02, subdivision 26, is amended to read:
40.2    Subd. 26. Small employer. (a) "Small employer" means, with respect to a calendar
40.3year and a plan year, a person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or other entity
40.4actively engaged in business in Minnesota, including a political subdivision of the state, that
40.5employed an average of no fewer than two nor at least one, not including a sole proprietor,
40.6but not more than 50 current employees on business days during the preceding calendar
40.7year and that employs at least two one current employees employee, not including a sole
40.8proprietor, on the first day of the plan year. If an employer has only one eligible employee
40.9who has not waived coverage, the sale of a health plan to or for that eligible employee
40.10is not a sale to a small employer and is not subject to this chapter and may be treated as
40.11the sale of an individual health plan. A small employer plan may be offered through a
40.12domiciled association to self-employed individuals and small employers who are members
40.13of the association, even if the self-employed individual or small employer has fewer than
40.14two current employees. Entities that are treated as a single employer under subsection (b),
40.15(c), (m), or (o) of section 414 of the federal Internal Revenue Code are considered a single
40.16employer for purposes of determining the number of current employees. Small employer
40.17status must be determined on an annual basis as of the renewal date of the health benefit
40.18plan. The provisions of this chapter continue to apply to an employer who no longer meets
40.19the requirements of this definition until the annual renewal date of the employer's health
40.20benefit plan. If an employer was not in existence throughout the preceding calendar year,
40.21the determination of whether the employer is a small employer is based upon the average
40.22number of current employees that it is reasonably expected that the employer will employ
40.23on business days in the current calendar year. For purposes of this definition, the term
40.24employer includes any predecessor of the employer. An employer that has more than 50
40.25current employees but has 50 or fewer employees, as "employee" is defined under United
40.26States Code, title 29, section 1002(6), is a small employer under this subdivision.
40.27(b) Where an association, as defined in section 62L.045, comprised of employers
40.28contracts with a health carrier to provide coverage to its members who are small employers,
40.29the association and health benefit plans it provides to small employers, are subject to
40.30section 62L.045, with respect to small employers in the association, even though the
40.31association also provides coverage to its members that do not qualify as small employers.
40.32(c) If an employer has employees covered under a trust specified in a collective
40.33bargaining agreement under the federal Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947,
40.34United States Code, title 29, section 141, et seq., as amended, or employees whose health
40.35coverage is determined by a collective bargaining agreement and, as a result of the
40.36collective bargaining agreement, is purchased separately from the health plan provided
41.1to other employees, those employees are excluded in determining whether the employer
41.2qualifies as a small employer. Those employees are considered to be a separate small
41.3employer if they constitute a group that would qualify as a small employer in the absence
41.4of the employees who are not subject to the collective bargaining agreement.
41.5(d) Small group health plans offered through the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace
41.6under chapter 62V to employees of a small employer are not considered individual health
41.7plans, regardless of whether the health plan is purchased using a defined contribution
41.8from the small employer.
41.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

41.10    Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
41.11    Subdivision 1. Guaranteed issue and reissue. (a) Every health carrier shall, as a
41.12condition of authority to transact business in this state in the small employer market,
41.13affirmatively market, offer, sell, issue, and renew any of its health benefit plans, on a
41.14guaranteed issue basis, to any small employer, including a small employer covered by
41.15paragraph (b), that meets the participation and contribution requirements of subdivision 3,
41.16as provided in this chapter.
41.17(b) A small employer that has its no longer meets the definition of small employer
41.18because of a reduction in workforce reduced to one employee may continue coverage as a
41.19small employer for 12 months from the date the group is reduced to one employee.
41.20(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a health carrier may, at the time of coverage
41.21renewal, modify the health coverage for a product offered in the small employer market if
41.22the modification is consistent with state law, approved by the commissioner, and effective
41.23on a uniform basis for all small employers purchasing that product other than through a
41.24qualified association in compliance with section 62L.045, subdivision 2.
41.25Paragraph (a) does not apply to a health benefit plan designed for a small employer
41.26to comply with a collective bargaining agreement, provided that the health benefit plan
41.27otherwise complies with this chapter and is not offered to other small employers, except
41.28for other small employers that need it for the same reason. This paragraph applies only
41.29with respect to collective bargaining agreements entered into prior to August 21, 1996,
41.30and only with respect to plan years beginning before the later of July 1, 1997, or the date
41.31upon which the last of the collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates
41.32determined without regard to any extension agreed to after August 21, 1996.
41.33(d) Every health carrier participating in the small employer market shall make
41.34available both of the plans described in section 62L.05 to small employers and shall fully
42.1comply with the underwriting and the rate restrictions specified in this chapter for all
42.2health benefit plans issued to small employers.
42.3(e) (d) A health carrier may cease to transact business in the small employer market
42.4as provided under section 62L.09.
42.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

42.6    Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
42.7    Subd. 3. Minimum participation and contribution. (a) A small employer that has
42.8at least 75 percent of its eligible employees who have not waived coverage participating in
42.9a health benefit plan and that contributes at least 50 percent toward the cost of coverage of
42.10each eligible employee must be guaranteed coverage on a guaranteed issue basis from
42.11any health carrier participating in the small employer market. The participation level
42.12of eligible employees must be determined at the initial offering of coverage and at the
42.13renewal date of coverage. A health carrier must not increase the participation requirements
42.14applicable to a small employer at any time after the small employer has been accepted for
42.15coverage. For the purposes of this subdivision, waiver of coverage includes only waivers
42.16due to: (1) coverage under another group health plan; (2) coverage under Medicare
42.17Parts A and B; or (3) coverage under medical assistance under chapter 256B or general
42.18assistance medical care under chapter 256D.
42.19    (b) If a small employer does not satisfy the contribution or participation requirements
42.20under this subdivision, a health carrier may voluntarily issue or renew individual health
42.21plans, or a health benefit plan which must fully comply with this chapter. A health carrier
42.22that provides a health benefit plan to a small employer that does not meet the contribution
42.23or participation requirements of this subdivision must maintain this information in its files
42.24for audit by the commissioner. A health carrier may not offer an individual health plan,
42.25purchased through an arrangement between the employer and the health carrier, to any
42.26employee unless the health carrier also offers the individual health plan, on a guaranteed
42.27issue basis, to all other employees of the same employer. An arrangement permitted under
42.28section 62L.12, subdivision 2, paragraph (k), is not an arrangement between the employer
42.29and the health carrier for purposes of this paragraph.
42.30    (c) Nothing in this section obligates a health carrier to issue coverage to a small
42.31employer that currently offers coverage through a health benefit plan from another health
42.32carrier, unless the new coverage will replace the existing coverage and not serve as one
42.33of two or more health benefit plans offered by the employer. This paragraph does not
42.34apply if the small employer will meet the required participation level with respect to
42.35the new coverage.
43.1(d) If a small employer cannot meet either the participation or contribution
43.2requirement, the small employer may purchase coverage only during an open enrollment
43.3period each year between November 15 and December 15.
43.4(e) This section does not apply to health plans offered through the Minnesota
43.5Insurance Marketplace under chapter 62V.
43.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

43.7    Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
43.8    Subd. 4. Underwriting restrictions. (a) Health carriers may apply underwriting
43.9restrictions to coverage for health benefit plans for small employers, including any
43.10preexisting condition limitations, only as expressly permitted under this chapter. For
43.11purposes of this section, "underwriting restrictions" means any refusal of the health carrier
43.12to issue or renew coverage, any premium rate higher than the lowest rate charged by the
43.13health carrier for the same coverage, any preexisting condition limitation, preexisting
43.14condition exclusion, or any exclusionary rider.
43.15(b) Health carriers may collect information relating to the case characteristics and
43.16demographic composition of small employers, as well as health status and health history
43.17information about employees, and dependents of employees, of small employers.
43.18(c) Except as otherwise authorized for late entrants, preexisting conditions may be
43.19excluded by a health carrier for a period not to exceed 12 months from the enrollment
43.20date of an eligible employee or dependent, but exclusionary riders must not be used. Late
43.21entrants may be subject to a preexisting condition limitation not to exceed 18 months from
43.22the enrollment date of the late entrant, but must not be subject to any exclusionary rider or
43.23preexisting condition exclusion. When calculating any length of preexisting condition
43.24limitation, a health carrier shall credit the time period an eligible employee or dependent
43.25was previously covered by qualifying coverage, provided that the individual maintains
43.26continuous coverage. The credit must be given for all qualifying coverage with respect
43.27to all preexisting conditions, regardless of whether the conditions were preexisting with
43.28respect to any previous qualifying coverage. Section 60A.082, relating to replacement of
43.29group coverage, and the rules adopted under that section apply to this chapter, and this
43.30chapter's requirements are in addition to the requirements of that section and the rules
43.31adopted under it. A health carrier shall, at the time of first issuance or renewal of a health
43.32benefit plan on or after July 1, 1993, credit against any preexisting condition limitation
43.33or exclusion permitted under this section, the time period prior to July 1, 1993, during
43.34which an eligible employee or dependent was covered by qualifying coverage, if the
43.35person has maintained continuous coverage.
44.1(d) Health carriers shall not use pregnancy as a preexisting condition under this
44.2chapter.
44.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

44.4    Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
44.5    Subd. 6. MCHA enrollees. Health carriers shall offer coverage to any eligible
44.6employee or dependent enrolled in MCHA at the time of the health carrier's issuance or
44.7renewal of a health benefit plan to a small employer. The health benefit plan must require
44.8that the employer permit MCHA enrollees to enroll in the small employer's health benefit
44.9plan as of the first date of renewal of a health benefit plan occurring on or after July
44.101, 1993, and as of each date of renewal after that, or, in the case of a new group, as of
44.11the initial effective date of the health benefit plan and as of each date of renewal after
44.12that. Unless otherwise permitted by this chapter, Health carriers must not impose any
44.13underwriting restrictions, including any preexisting condition limitations or exclusions, on
44.14any eligible employee or dependent previously enrolled in MCHA and transferred to a
44.15health benefit plan so long as continuous coverage is maintained, provided that the health
44.16carrier may impose any unexpired portion of a preexisting condition limitation under the
44.17person's MCHA coverage. An MCHA enrollee is not a late entrant, so long as the enrollee
44.18has maintained continuous coverage.
44.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

44.20    Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.045, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
44.21    Subd. 2. Qualified associations. (a) A qualified association, as defined in this
44.22section, and health coverage offered by it, to it, or through it, to a small employer in
44.23this state must comply with the requirements of this chapter regarding guaranteed issue,
44.24guaranteed renewal, preexisting condition limitations, credit against preexisting condition
44.25limitations for continuous coverage, treatment of MCHA enrollees, and the definition of
44.26dependent, and with section 62A.65, subdivision 5, paragraph (b). They must also comply
44.27with all other requirements of this chapter not specifically exempted in paragraph (b) or (c).
44.28(b) A qualified association and a health carrier offering, selling, issuing, or renewing
44.29health coverage to, or to cover, a small employer in this state through the qualified
44.30association, may, but are not, in connection with that health coverage, required to:
44.31(1) offer the two small employer plans described in section 62L.05; and
44.32(2) offer to small employers that are not members of the association, health coverage
44.33offered to, by, or through the qualified association.
45.1(c) A qualified association, and a health carrier offering, selling, issuing, and
45.2renewing health coverage to, or to cover, a small employer in this state must comply
45.3with section 62L.08, except that:
45.4(1) a separate index rate may be applied by a health carrier to each qualified
45.5association, provided that:
45.6(i) the premium rate applied to participating small employer members of the
45.7qualified association is no more than 25 percent above and no more than 25 percent below
45.8the index rate applied to the qualified association, irrespective of when members applied
45.9for health coverage; and
45.10(ii) the index rate applied by a health carrier to a qualified association is no more
45.11than 20 percent above and no more than 20 percent below the index rate applied by the
45.12health carrier to any other qualified association or to any small employer. In comparing
45.13index rates for purposes of this clause, the 20 percent shall be calculated as a percent of
45.14the larger index rate; and
45.15(2) a qualified association described in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clauses (2)
45.16to (4), providing health coverage through a health carrier, or on a self-insured basis in
45.17compliance with section 471.617 and the rules adopted under that section, may cover
45.18small employers and other employers within the same pool and may charge premiums
45.19to small employer members on the same basis as it charges premiums to members that
45.20are not small employers, if the premium rates charged to small employers do not have
45.21greater variation than permitted under section 62L.08. A qualified association operating
45.22under this clause shall annually prove to the commissioner of commerce that it complies
45.23with this clause through a sampling procedure acceptable to the commissioner. If the
45.24qualified association fails to prove compliance to the satisfaction of the commissioner,
45.25the association shall agree to a written plan of correction acceptable to the commissioner.
45.26The qualified association is considered to be in compliance under this clause if there is
45.27a premium rate that would, if used as an index rate, result in all premium rates in the
45.28sample being in compliance with section 62L.08. This clause does not exempt a qualified
45.29association or a health carrier providing coverage through the qualified association from
45.30the loss ratio requirement of section 62L.08, subdivision 11.
45.31EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

45.32    Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.045, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
45.33    Subd. 4. Principles; association coverage. (a) This subdivision applies to
45.34associations as defined in this section, whether qualified associations or not, and is
45.35intended to clarify subdivisions 1 to 3.
46.1(b) This section applies only to associations that provide health coverage to small
46.2employers.
46.3(c) A health carrier is not required under this chapter to comply with guaranteed
46.4issue and guaranteed renewal with respect to its relationship with the association itself.
46.5 An arrangement between the health carrier and the association, once entered into, must
46.6comply with guaranteed issue and guaranteed renewal with respect to members of the
46.7association that are small employers and persons covered through them.
46.8(d) When an arrangement between a health carrier and an association has validly
46.9terminated, the health carrier has no continuing obligation to small employers and persons
46.10covered through them, except as otherwise provided in:
46.11(1) section 62A.65, subdivision 5, paragraph (b);
46.12(2) any other continuation or conversion rights applicable under state or federal
46.13law; and
46.14(3) section 60A.082, relating to group replacement coverage, and rules adopted
46.15under that section.
46.16(e) When an association's arrangement with a health carrier has terminated and the
46.17association has entered into a new arrangement with that health carrier or a different
46.18health carrier, the new arrangement is subject to section 60A.082 and rules adopted under
46.19it, with respect to members of the association that are small employers and persons
46.20covered through them.
46.21(f) An association that offers its members more than one plan of health coverage
46.22may have uniform rules restricting movement between the plans of health coverage, if the
46.23rules do not discriminate against small employers.
46.24(g) This chapter does not require or prohibit separation of an association's members
46.25into one group consisting only of small employers and another group or other groups
46.26consisting of all other members. The association must comply with this section with
46.27respect to the small employer group.
46.28(h) For purposes of this section, "member" of an association includes an employer
46.29participant in the association.
46.30(i) For purposes of this section, health coverage issued to, or to cover, a small
46.31employer includes a certificate of coverage issued directly to the employer's employees
46.32and dependents, rather than to the small employer.
46.33EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

46.34    Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.05, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
47.1    Subd. 10. Medical expense reimbursement. Health carriers may reimburse
47.2or pay for medical services, supplies, or articles provided under a small employer plan
47.3in accordance with the health carrier's provider contract requirements including, but
47.4not limited to, salaried arrangements, capitation, the payment of usual and customary
47.5charges, fee schedules, discounts from fee-for-service, per diems, diagnosis-related
47.6groups (DRGs), and other payment arrangements. Nothing in this chapter requires a
47.7health carrier to develop, implement, or change its provider contract requirements for
47.8a small employer plan. Coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums, and
47.9maximum lifetime benefits must be calculated and determined in accordance with each
47.10health carrier's standard business practices.
47.11EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

47.12    Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.06, is amended to read:
47.1362L.06 DISCLOSURE OF UNDERWRITING RATING PRACTICES.
47.14When offering or renewing a health benefit plan, health carriers shall disclose in all
47.15solicitation and sales materials:
47.16(1) the case characteristics and other rating factors used to determine initial and
47.17renewal rates;
47.18(2) the extent to which premium rates for a small employer are established or
47.19adjusted based upon actual or expected variation in claim experience;
47.20(3) provisions concerning the health carrier's right to change premium rates and the
47.21factors other than claim experience that affect changes in premium rates;
47.22(4) (2) provisions relating to renewability of coverage;
47.23(5) the use and effect of any preexisting condition provisions, if permitted;
47.24(6) (3) the application of any provider network limitations and their effect on
47.25eligibility for benefits; and
47.26(7) (4) the ability of small employers to insure eligible employees and dependents
47.27currently receiving coverage from the Comprehensive Health Association through health
47.28benefit plans.
47.29EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

47.30    Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.08, is amended to read:
47.3162L.08 RESTRICTIONS RELATING TO PREMIUM RATES.
47.32    Subdivision 1. Rate restrictions. Premium rates for all health benefit plans sold or
47.33issued to small employers are subject to the restrictions specified in this section.
48.1    Subd. 2. General premium variations. Beginning July 1, 1993, each health carrier
48.2must offer premium rates to small employers that are no more than 25 percent above
48.3and no more than 25 percent below the index rate charged to small employers for the
48.4same or similar coverage, adjusted pro rata for rating periods of less than one year. The
48.5premium variations permitted by this subdivision must be based only on health status,
48.6claims experience, industry of the employer, and duration of coverage from the date of
48.7issue. For purposes of this subdivision, health status includes refraining from tobacco use
48.8or other actuarially valid lifestyle factors associated with good health, provided that the
48.9lifestyle factor and its effect upon premium rates have been determined to be actuarially
48.10valid and approved by the commissioner. Variations permitted under this subdivision must
48.11not be based upon age or applied differently at different ages. This subdivision does not
48.12prohibit use of a constant percentage adjustment for factors permitted to be used under
48.13this subdivision.
48.14    Subd. 2a. Renewal premium increases limited. (a) Beginning January 1, 2003,
48.15the percentage increase in the premium rate charged to a small employer for a new rating
48.16period must not exceed the sum of the following:
48.17(1) the percentage change in the index rate measured from the first day of the prior
48.18rating period to the first day of the new rating period;
48.19(2) an adjustment, not to exceed 15 percent annually and adjusted pro rata for rating
48.20periods of less than one year, due to the claims experience, health status, or duration of
48.21coverage of the employees or dependents of the employer; and
48.22(3) any adjustment due to change in coverage or in the case characteristics of the
48.23employer.
48.24(b) This subdivision does not apply if the employer, employee, or any applicant
48.25provides the health carrier with false, incomplete, or misleading information.
48.26    Subd. 3. Age-based premium variations. Beginning July 1, 1993, Each health
48.27carrier may offer premium rates to small employers that vary based upon the ages of
48.28the eligible employees and dependents of the small employer only as provided in this
48.29subdivision. In addition to the variation permitted by subdivision 2, each health carrier
48.30may use an additional premium variation based upon age of up to plus or minus 50 percent
48.31of the index rate. Premium rates may vary based upon the ages of the eligible employees
48.32and dependents of the small employer in accordance with the provisions of the Affordable
48.33Care Act as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
48.34    Subd. 4. Geographic premium variations. A health carrier may request approval
48.35by the commissioner to establish separate geographic regions determined by the health
48.36carrier and to establish separate index rates for each such region Premium rates may vary
49.1based on geographic rating areas set by the commissioner. The commissioner shall grant
49.2approval if the following conditions are met:
49.3(1) the geographic regions must be applied uniformly by the health carrier;
49.4(2) each geographic region must be composed of no fewer than seven counties that
49.5create a contiguous region; and
49.6(3) the health carrier provides actuarial justification acceptable to the commissioner
49.7for the proposed geographic variations in index rates, establishing that the variations are
49.8based upon differences in the cost to the health carrier of providing coverage.
49.9    Subd. 5. Gender-based rates prohibited. Beginning July 1, 1993, No health carrier
49.10may determine premium rates through a method that is in any way based upon the gender
49.11of eligible employees or dependents. Rates must not in any way reflect marital status or
49.12generalized differences in expected costs between employees and spouses.
49.13    Subd. 6. Rate cells permitted Tobacco rating. Health carriers may use rate cells
49.14and must file with the commissioner the rate cells they use. Rate cells must be based on
49.15the number of adults and children covered under the policy and may reflect the availability
49.16of Medicare coverage. The rates for different rate cells must not in any way reflect marital
49.17status or differences in expected costs between employees and spouses Premium rates
49.18may vary based upon tobacco use in accordance with the provisions of the Affordable
49.19Care Act as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
49.20    Subd. 7. Index and Premium rate development. (a) In developing its index rates
49.21and premiums, a health carrier may take into account only the following factors:
49.22(1) actuarially valid differences in benefit designs of health benefit plans; and
49.23(2) actuarially valid differences in the rating factors permitted in subdivisions 2 and 3;
49.24(3) (2) actuarially valid geographic variations if approved by the commissioner as
49.25provided in subdivision 4.
49.26(b) All premium variations permitted under this section must be based upon
49.27actuarially valid differences in expected cost to the health carrier of providing coverage.
49.28The variation must be justified in initial rate filings and upon request of the commissioner in
49.29rate revision filings. All premium variations are subject to approval by the commissioner.
49.30    Subd. 8. Filing requirement. A health carrier that offers, sells, issues, or renews a
49.31health benefit plan for small employers shall file with the commissioner the index rates and
49.32must demonstrate that all rates shall be within the rating restrictions defined in this chapter.
49.33Such demonstration must include the allowable range of rates from the index rates and a
49.34description of how the health carrier intends to use demographic factors including case
49.35characteristics in calculating the premium rates. The rates shall not be approved, unless the
49.36commissioner has determined that the rates are reasonable. In determining reasonableness,
50.1the commissioner shall consider the growth rates applied under section 62J.04, subdivision
50.21 , paragraph (b), to the calendar year or years that the proposed premium rate would be in
50.3effect, and actuarially valid changes in risk associated with the enrollee population, and
50.4actuarially valid changes as a result of statutory changes in Laws 1992, chapter 549.
50.5    Subd. 9. Effect of assessments. Premium rates must comply with the rating
50.6requirements of this section, notwithstanding the imposition of any assessments or
50.7premiums paid by health carriers as provided under sections 62L.13 to 62L.22.
50.8    Subd. 10. Rating report. Beginning January 1, 1995, and annually thereafter, the
50.9commissioners of health and commerce shall provide a joint report to the legislature
50.10on the effect of the rating restrictions required by this section and the appropriateness
50.11of proceeding with additional rate reform. Each report must include an analysis of the
50.12availability of health care coverage due to the rating reform, the equitable and appropriate
50.13distribution of risk and associated costs, the effect on the self-insurance market, and any
50.14resulting or anticipated change in health plan design and market share and availability of
50.15health carriers.
50.16    Subd. 11. Loss ratio standards. Notwithstanding section 62A.02, subdivision 3,
50.17relating to loss ratios, each policy or contract form used with respect to a health benefit
50.18plan offered, or issued in the small employer market, is subject, beginning July 1, 1993,
50.19to section 62A.021. The commissioner of health has, with respect to carriers under that
50.20commissioner's jurisdiction, all of the powers of the commissioner of commerce under
50.21that section.
50.22EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

50.23    Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62L.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
50.24    Subd. 2. Exceptions. (a) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew individual
50.25conversion policies to eligible employees otherwise eligible for conversion coverage under
50.26section 62D.104 as a result of leaving a health maintenance organization's service area.
50.27(b) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew individual conversion policies to
50.28eligible employees otherwise eligible for conversion coverage as a result of the expiration
50.29of any continuation of group coverage required under sections 62A.146, 62A.17, 62A.21,
50.3062C.142 , 62D.101, and 62D.105.
50.31(c) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew conversion policies under section
50.3262E.16 to eligible employees.
50.33(d) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew individual continuation policies to
50.34eligible employees as required.
51.1(e) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew individual health plans if the coverage
51.2is appropriate due to an unexpired preexisting condition limitation or exclusion applicable
51.3to the person under the employer's group health plan or due to the person's need for health
51.4care services not covered under the employer's group health plan.
51.5(f) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew an individual health plan, if the
51.6individual has elected to buy the individual health plan not as part of a general plan to
51.7substitute individual health plans for a group health plan nor as a result of any violation of
51.8subdivision 3 or 4.
51.9(g) A health carrier may sell, issue, or renew an individual health plan if coverage
51.10provided by the employer is determined to be unaffordable under the provisions of the
51.11Affordable Care Act as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
51.12(h) Nothing in this subdivision relieves a health carrier of any obligation to provide
51.13continuation or conversion coverage otherwise required under federal or state law.
51.14(h) (i) Nothing in this chapter restricts the offer, sale, issuance, or renewal of
51.15coverage issued as a supplement to Medicare under sections 62A.3099 to 62A.44, or
51.16policies or contracts that supplement Medicare issued by health maintenance organizations,
51.17or those contracts governed by sections 1833, 1851 to 1859, 1860D, or 1876 of the federal
51.18Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1395 et seq., as amended.
51.19(i) (j) Nothing in this chapter restricts the offer, sale, issuance, or renewal of
51.20individual health plans necessary to comply with a court order.
51.21(j) (k) A health carrier may offer, issue, sell, or renew an individual health plan to
51.22persons eligible for an employer group health plan, if the individual health plan is a high
51.23deductible health plan for use in connection with an existing health savings account, in
51.24compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, section 223. In that situation, the same or
51.25a different health carrier may offer, issue, sell, or renew a group health plan to cover
51.26the other eligible employees in the group.
51.27(k) (l) A health carrier may offer, sell, issue, or renew an individual health plan to
51.28one or more employees of a small employer if the individual health plan is marketed
51.29directly to all employees of the small employer and the small employer does not contribute
51.30directly or indirectly to the premiums or facilitate the administration of the individual
51.31health plan. The requirement to market an individual health plan to all employees does not
51.32require the health carrier to offer or issue an individual health plan to any employee. For
51.33purposes of this paragraph, an employer is not contributing to the premiums or facilitating
51.34the administration of the individual health plan if the employer does not contribute to the
51.35premium and merely collects the premiums from an employee's wages or salary through
51.36payroll deductions and submits payment for the premiums of one or more employees in a
52.1lump sum to the health carrier. Except for coverage under section 62A.65, subdivision 5,
52.2paragraph (b), or 62E.16, at the request of an employee, the health carrier may bill the
52.3employer for the premiums payable by the employee, provided that the employer is not
52.4liable for payment except from payroll deductions for that purpose. If an employer is
52.5submitting payments under this paragraph, the health carrier shall provide a cancellation
52.6notice directly to the primary insured at least ten days prior to termination of coverage for
52.7nonpayment of premium. Individual coverage under this paragraph may be offered only
52.8if the small employer has not provided coverage under section 62L.03 to the employees
52.9within the past 12 months.
52.10The employer must provide a written and signed statement to the health carrier that
52.11the employer is not contributing directly or indirectly to the employee's premiums. The
52.12health carrier may rely on the employer's statement and is not required to guarantee-issue
52.13individual health plans to the employer's other current or future employees.
52.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

52.15    Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62M.05, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
52.16    Subd. 3a. Standard review determination. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 3b, an
52.17initial determination on all requests for utilization review must be communicated to the
52.18provider and enrollee in accordance with this subdivision within ten business days of the
52.19request, provided that all information reasonably necessary to make a determination on the
52.20request has been made available to the utilization review organization.
52.21(b) When an initial determination is made to certify, notification must be provided
52.22promptly by telephone to the provider. The utilization review organization shall send
52.23written notification to the provider or shall maintain an audit trail of the determination
52.24and telephone notification. For purposes of this subdivision, "audit trail" includes
52.25documentation of the telephone notification, including the date; the name of the person
52.26spoken to; the enrollee; the service, procedure, or admission certified; and the date of
52.27the service, procedure, or admission. If the utilization review organization indicates
52.28certification by use of a number, the number must be called the "certification number."
52.29For purposes of this subdivision, notification may also be made by facsimile to a verified
52.30number or by electronic mail to a secure electronic mailbox. These electronic forms of
52.31notification satisfy the "audit trail" requirement of this paragraph.
52.32(c) When an initial determination is made not to certify, notification must be
52.33provided by telephone, by facsimile to a verified number, or by electronic mail to a secure
52.34electronic mailbox within one working day after making the determination to the attending
52.35health care professional and hospital as applicable. Written notification must also be sent
53.1to the hospital as applicable and attending health care professional if notification occurred
53.2by telephone. For purposes of this subdivision, notification may be made by facsimile to a
53.3verified number or by electronic mail to a secure electronic mailbox. Written notification
53.4must be sent to the enrollee and may be sent by United States mail, facsimile to a verified
53.5number, or by electronic mail to a secure mailbox. The written notification must include
53.6the principal reason or reasons for the determination and the process for initiating an appeal
53.7of the determination. Upon request, the utilization review organization shall provide the
53.8provider or enrollee with the criteria used to determine the necessity, appropriateness,
53.9and efficacy of the health care service and identify the database, professional treatment
53.10parameter, or other basis for the criteria. Reasons for a determination not to certify may
53.11include, among other things, the lack of adequate information to certify after a reasonable
53.12attempt has been made to contact the provider or enrollee.
53.13(d) When an initial determination is made not to certify, the written notification must
53.14inform the enrollee and the attending health care professional of the right to submit an
53.15appeal to the internal appeal process described in section 62M.06 and the procedure for
53.16initiating the internal appeal. The written notice shall be provided in a culturally and
53.17linguistically appropriate manner consistent with the provisions of the Affordable Care
53.18Act as defined under section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
53.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

53.20    Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62M.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
53.21    Subdivision 1. Procedures for appeal. (a) A utilization review organization must
53.22have written procedures for appeals of determinations not to certify. The right to appeal
53.23must be available to the enrollee and to the attending health care professional.
53.24(b) The enrollee shall be allowed to review the information relied upon in the
53.25course of the appeal, present evidence and testimony as part of the appeals process, and
53.26receive continued coverage pending the outcome of the appeals process. This paragraph
53.27does not apply to managed care plan or county based purchasing plan enrollees under
53.28section 256B.69 or 256B.692 serving state public program enrollees under 256B.69 or to
53.29grandfathered plans as defined under section 62A.011, subdivision 1c.
53.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

53.31    Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
53.32to read:
54.1    Subd. 1a. Affordable Care Act. "Affordable Care Act" means the Affordable Care
54.2Act as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
54.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

54.4    Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
54.5to read:
54.6    Subd. 1b. Bona fide association. "Bona fide association" means an association that
54.7meets all of the following criteria:
54.8(1) serves a single profession that requires a significant amount of education, training
54.9or experience, or a license or certificate from a state authority to practice that profession;
54.10(2) has been actively in existence for five years;
54.11(3) has a constitution and bylaws or other analogous governing documents;
54.12(4) has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining
54.13insurance;
54.14(5) is not owned or controlled by a health plan company or affiliated with a health
54.15plan company;
54.16(6) does not condition membership in the association on any health status related
54.17factor;
54.18(7) has at least 1,000 members if it is a national association, 500 members if it is a
54.19state association, or 200 members if it is a local association;
54.20(8) all members and dependents of members are eligible for coverage regardless of
54.21any health status related factor;
54.22(9) does not make health plans offered through the association available other than
54.23in connection with a member of the association;
54.24(10) is governed by a board of directors and sponsors annual meeting of its
54.25members; and
54.26(11) produces only market association memberships, accepts applications for
54.27membership, or signs up members in the professional association where the subject
54.28individuals are actively engaged in, or directly related to, the profession represented
54.29by the association.
54.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

54.31    Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
54.32to read:
55.1    Subd. 2b. Grandfathered health plan. "Grandfathered health plan" means a
55.2grandfathered health plan as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1b.

55.3    Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
55.4to read:
55.5    Subd. 2c. Group health plan. "Group health plan" means a group health plan as
55.6defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1c.

55.7    Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
55.8to read:
55.9    Subd. 4b. Individual health plan. "Individual health plan" means an individual
55.10health plan as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 4.

55.11    Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
55.12to read:
55.13    Subd. 7. Life-threatening condition. "Life-threatening condition" means a disease
55.14or condition from which the likelihood of death is probable unless the course of the
55.15disease or condition is interrupted.
55.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

55.17    Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
55.18to read:
55.19    Subd. 8. Primary care provider. "Primary care provider" means a health care
55.20professional who specializes in the practice of family medicine, general internal medicine,
55.21obstetrics and gynecology, or general pediatrics and is a licensed physician, a licensed and
55.22certified advanced practice registered nurse, or a licensed physician assistant.
55.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

55.24    Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
55.25to read:
55.26    Subd. 9. Dependent child to the limiting age. "Dependent child to the limiting
55.27age" or "dependent children to the limiting age" means those individuals who are eligible
55.28and covered as a dependent child under the terms of a health plan who have not yet
55.29attained 26 years of age. A health plan company must not deny or restrict eligibility
55.30for a dependent child to the limiting age based on financial dependency, residency,
56.1marital status, or student status. For coverage under plans offered by the Minnesota
56.2Comprehensive Health Association, dependent to the limiting age means dependent
56.3as defined in section 62A.302, subdivision 3. Notwithstanding the provisions in this
56.4subdivision, a health plan may include:
56.5(1) eligibility requirements regarding the absence of other health plan coverage as
56.6permitted by the Affordable Care Act for grandfathered plan coverage; or
56.7(2) an age greater than 26 in its policy, contract, or certificate of coverage.
56.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

56.9    Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.021, is amended to read:
56.1062Q.021 FEDERAL ACT; COMPLIANCE REQUIRED.
56.11    Subdivision 1. Compliance with 1996 federal law. Each health plan company shall
56.12comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,
56.13including any federal regulations adopted under that act, to the extent that it imposes a
56.14requirement that applies in this state and that is not also required by the laws of this state.
56.15This section does not require compliance with any provision of the federal act prior to
56.16the effective date provided for that provision in the federal act. The commissioner shall
56.17enforce this section subdivision.
56.18    Subd. 2. Compliance with 2010 federal law. Each health plan company shall
56.19comply with the Affordable Care Act to the extent that it imposes a requirement that
56.20applies in this state but is not required under the laws of this state. This section does not
56.21require compliance with any provision of the Affordable Care Act before the effective
56.22date provided for that provision in the Affordable Care Act. The commissioner shall
56.23enforce this subdivision.
56.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

56.25    Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.17, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
56.26    Subd. 6. Employer-based purchasing pools. Employer-based purchasing
56.27pools must, with respect to small employers as defined in section 62L.02, meet all the
56.28requirements of chapter 62L. The experience of the pool must be pooled and the rates
56.29blended across all groups. Pools may decide to create tiers within the pool, based on
56.30experience of group members. These tiers must be designed within the requirements
56.31of section 62L.08. The governing structure may establish criteria limiting movement
56.32between tiers. Tiers must be phased out within two years of the pool's creation.
57.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

57.2    Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.18, is amended by adding a subdivision
57.3to read:
57.4    Subd. 8. Guaranteed issue. No health plan company shall offer, sell, or issue
57.5any health plan that does not make coverage available on a guaranteed issue basis in
57.6accordance with the Affordable Care Act.
57.7EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

57.8    Sec. 71. [62Q.186] PROHIBITION ON RESCISSIONS OF HEALTH PLANS.
57.9    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) "Rescission" means a cancellation or discontinuance
57.10of coverage under a health plan that has a retroactive effect.
57.11(b) "Rescission" does not include:
57.12(1) a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage under a health plan if:
57.13(i) the cancellation or discontinuance of coverage has only a prospective effect; or
57.14(ii) the cancellation or discontinuance of coverage is effective retroactively to the
57.15extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions
57.16toward the cost of coverage; or
57.17(2) when the health plan covers only active employees and, if applicable,
57.18dependents and those covered under continuation coverage provisions, the employee
57.19pays no premiums for coverage after termination of employment and the cancellation or
57.20discontinuance of coverage is effective retroactively back to the date of termination of
57.21employment due to a delay in administrative record-keeping.
57.22    Subd. 2. Prohibition on rescissions. (a) A health plan company shall not rescind
57.23coverage under a health plan with respect to an individual, including a group to which
57.24the individual belongs or family coverage in which the individual is included, after the
57.25individual is covered under the health plan, unless:
57.26(1) the individual or a person seeking coverage on behalf of the individual, performs
57.27an act, practice, or omission that constitutes fraud; or
57.28(2) the individual makes an intentional misrepresentation or omission of material
57.29fact, as prohibited by the terms of the health plan.
57.30For purposes of this section, a person seeking coverage on behalf of an individual
57.31does not include an insurance producer or employee or authorized representative of the
57.32health carrier.
58.1(b) This section does not apply to any benefits classified as excepted benefits under
58.2United States Code, title 42, section 300gg-91(c), or regulations enacted thereunder
58.3from time to time.
58.4    Subd. 3. Notice required. A health plan company shall provide at least 30 days
58.5advance written notice to each individual who would be affected by the proposed rescission
58.6of coverage before coverage under the health plan may be terminated retroactively.
58.7    Subd. 4. Compliance with other restrictions on rescissions. Nothing in this
58.8section allows rescission if rescission would otherwise be prohibited under section
58.962A.04, subdivision 2, clause (2), or 62A.615.
58.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

58.11    Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.23, is amended to read:
58.1262Q.23 GENERAL SERVICES.
58.13(a) Health plan companies shall comply with all continuation and conversion of
58.14coverage requirements applicable to health maintenance organizations under state or
58.15federal law.
58.16(b) Health plan companies shall comply with sections 62A.047, 62A.27, and any
58.17other coverage required under chapter 62A of newborn infants, dependent children who
58.18do not reside with a covered person to the limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01,
58.19subdivision 9, disabled children and dependents dependent children, and adopted children.
58.20A health plan company providing dependent coverage shall comply with section 62A.302.
58.21(c) Health plan companies shall comply with the equal access requirements of
58.22section 62A.15.
58.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

58.24    Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.43, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
58.25    Subd. 2. Access requirement. Every closed-panel health plan must allow enrollees
58.26who are full-time students under the age of 25 26 years to change their designated clinic or
58.27physician at least once per month, as long as the clinic or physician is part of the health
58.28plan company's statewide clinic or physician network. A health plan company shall not
58.29charge enrollees who choose this option higher premiums or cost sharing than would
58.30otherwise apply to enrollees who do not choose this option. A health plan company may
58.31require enrollees to provide 15 days' written notice of intent to change their designated
58.32clinic or physician.
59.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

59.2    Sec. 74. [62Q.46] PREVENTIVE ITEMS AND SERVICES.
59.3    Subdivision 1. Coverage for preventive items and services. (a) "Preventive items
59.4and services" has the meaning specified in the Affordable Care Act.
59.5(b) A health plan company must provide coverage for preventive items and services
59.6at a participating provider without imposing cost-sharing requirements, including a
59.7deductible, coinsurance, or co-payment. Nothing in this section prohibits a health
59.8plan company that has a network of providers from excluding coverage or imposing
59.9cost-sharing requirements for preventive items or services that are delivered by an
59.10out-of-network provider.
59.11(c) A health plan company is not required to provide coverage for any items or
59.12services specified in any recommendation or guideline described in paragraph (a) if the
59.13recommendation or guideline is no longer included as a preventive item or service as
59.14defined in paragraph (a). Annually, a health plan company must determine whether any
59.15additional items or services must be covered without cost-sharing requirements or whether
59.16any items or services are no longer required to be covered.
59.17(d) Nothing in this section prevents a health plan company from using reasonable
59.18medical management techniques to determine the frequency, method, treatment, or setting
59.19for a preventive item or service to the extent not specified in the recommendation or
59.20guideline.
59.21(e) This section does not apply to grandfathered plan coverage.
59.22(f) This section does not apply to plans offered by the Minnesota Comprehensive
59.23Health Association.
59.24    Subd. 2. Coverage for office visits in conjunction with preventive items and
59.25services. (a) A health plan company may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect
59.26to an office visit if a preventive item or service is billed separately or is tracked separately
59.27as individual encounter data from the office visit.
59.28(b) A health plan company must not impose cost-sharing requirements with respect
59.29to an office visit if a preventive item or service is not billed separately or is not tracked
59.30separately as individual encounter data from the office visit and the primary purpose of the
59.31office visit is the delivery of the preventive item or service.
59.32(c) A health plan company may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to
59.33an office visit if a preventive item or service is not billed separately or is not tracked
59.34separately as individual encounter data from the office visit and the primary purpose of the
59.35office visit is not the delivery of the preventive item or service.
60.1    Subd. 3. Additional services not prohibited. Nothing in this section prohibits a
60.2health plan company from providing coverage for preventive items and services in addition
60.3to those specified in the Affordable Care Act, or from denying coverage for preventive
60.4items and services that are not recommended as preventive items and services under the
60.5Affordable Care Act. A health plan company may impose cost-sharing requirements for a
60.6treatment not described in the Affordable Care Act even if the treatment results from a
60.7preventive item or service described in the Affordable Care Act.
60.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

60.9    Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.47, is amended to read:
60.1062Q.47 ALCOHOLISM, MENTAL HEALTH, AND CHEMICAL
60.11DEPENDENCY SERVICES.
60.12    (a) All health plans, as defined in section 62Q.01, that provide coverage for
60.13alcoholism, mental health, or chemical dependency services, must comply with the
60.14requirements of this section.
60.15    (b) Cost-sharing requirements and benefit or service limitations for outpatient
60.16mental health and outpatient chemical dependency and alcoholism services, except for
60.17persons placed in chemical dependency services under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600
60.18to 9530.6660, must not place a greater financial burden on the insured or enrollee, or be
60.19more restrictive than those requirements and limitations for outpatient medical services.
60.20    (c) Cost-sharing requirements and benefit or service limitations for inpatient hospital
60.21mental health and inpatient hospital and residential chemical dependency and alcoholism
60.22services, except for persons placed in chemical dependency services under Minnesota
60.23Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6660, must not place a greater financial burden on the
60.24insured or enrollee, or be more restrictive than those requirements and limitations for
60.25inpatient hospital medical services.
60.26    (d) All health plans must meet the requirements of the federal Mental Health Parity
60.27Act of 1996, Public Law 104-204, Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health
60.28Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and any amendments
60.29to, and federal guidance or regulations issued under those acts.
60.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

60.31    Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.52, is amended to read:
60.3262Q.52 DIRECT ACCESS TO OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGIC
60.33SERVICES.
61.1    Subdivision 1. Direct access. (a) Health plan companies shall allow female
61.2enrollees direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists providers who specialize in
61.3obstetrics and gynecology for the following services:
61.4(1) annual preventive health examinations, which shall include a gynecologic
61.5examination, and any subsequent obstetric or gynecologic visits determined to be medically
61.6necessary by the examining obstetrician or gynecologist, based upon the findings of the
61.7examination evaluation and necessary treatment for obstetric conditions or emergencies;
61.8(2) maternity care; and
61.9(3) evaluation and necessary treatment for acute gynecologic conditions or
61.10emergencies, including annual preventive health examinations.
61.11(b) For purposes of this section, "direct access" means that a female enrollee may
61.12obtain the obstetric and gynecologic services specified in paragraph (a) from obstetricians
61.13and gynecologists providers who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology in the enrollee's
61.14network without a referral from, or prior approval through a primary care provider,
61.15another physician, the health plan company, or its representatives.
61.16(c) The health plan company shall treat the provision of obstetrical and gynecological
61.17care and the ordering of related obstetrical and gynecological items and services, pursuant
61.18to paragraph (a), by a participating health care provider who specializes in obstetrics or
61.19gynecology as the authorization of a primary care provider.
61.20(d) The health plan company may require the health care provider to agree to
61.21otherwise adhere to the health plan company's policies and procedures, including
61.22procedures for obtaining prior authorization and for providing services in accordance with
61.23a treatment plan, if any, approved by the health plan company.
61.24(c) (e) Health plan companies shall not require higher co-payments, coinsurance,
61.25deductibles, or other enrollee cost-sharing for direct access.
61.26(d) (f) This section applies only to services described in paragraph (a) that are
61.27covered by the enrollee's coverage, but coverage of a preventive health examination for
61.28female enrollees must not exclude coverage of a gynecologic examination.
61.29(g) For purposes of this section, a health care provider who specializes in obstetrics
61.30or gynecology means any individual, including an individual other than a physician, who
61.31is authorized under state law to provide obstetrical or gynecological care.
61.32(h) This section does not:
61.33(1) waive any exclusions of coverage under the terms and conditions of the health
61.34plan with respect to coverage of obstetrical or gynecological care; or
62.1(2) preclude the health plan company from requiring that the participating health
62.2care provider providing obstetrical or gynecological care notify the primary care provider
62.3or the health plan company of treatment decisions.
62.4    Subd. 2. Notice. A health plan company shall provide notice to enrollees of the
62.5provisions of subdivision 1 in accordance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
62.6    Subd. 3. Enforcement. The commissioner of health shall enforce this section.
62.7EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

62.8    Sec. 77. [62Q.526] COVERAGE FOR PARTICIPATION IN APPROVED
62.9CLINICAL TRIALS.
62.10    Subdivision 1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions apply:
62.11(a) "Approved clinical trial" means phase I, phase II, phase III, or phase IV clinical
62.12trial that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or
62.13a life-threatening condition and is not designed exclusively to test toxicity or disease
62.14pathophysiology and must be:
62.15(1) conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the United
62.16States Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
62.17(2) exempt from obtaining an investigational new drug application; or
62.18(3) approved or funded by:
62.19(i) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and
62.20Prevention; the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, the Centers for Medicare
62.21and Medicaid Services, or a cooperating group or center of any of the entities described in
62.22this item;
62.23(ii) a cooperative group or center of the United States Department of Defense or the
62.24United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
62.25(iii) a qualified nongovernmental research entity identified in the guidelines issued
62.26by the NIH for center support grants; or
62.27(iv) the United States Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, or Energy if the
62.28trial has been reviewed or approved through a system of peer review determined by the
62.29secretary to:
62.30(A) be comparable to the system of peer review of studies and investigations used by
62.31the NIH; and
62.32(B) provide an unbiased scientific review by qualified individuals who have no
62.33interest in the outcome of the review.
63.1(b) "Qualified individual" means an individual with health plan coverage who is
63.2eligible to participate in an approved clinical trial according to the trial protocol for the
63.3treatment of cancer or a life-threatening condition because:
63.4(1) the referring health care professional is participating in the trial and has
63.5concluded that the individual's participation in the trial would be appropriate; or
63.6(2) the individual provides medical and scientific information establishing that
63.7the individual's participation in the trial is appropriate because the individual meets the
63.8conditions described in the trial protocol.
63.9(c)(1) "Routine patient costs" includes all items and services covered by the health
63.10benefit plan of individual market health insurance coverage when the items or services
63.11are typically covered for an enrollee who is not a qualified individual enrolled in an
63.12approved clinical trial.
63.13(2) Routine patient costs does not include:
63.14(i) an investigational item, device, or service that is part of the trial;
63.15(ii) an item or service provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis needs for
63.16the trial if the item or service is not used in the direct clinical management of the patient;
63.17(iii) a service that is clearly inconsistent with widely accepted and established
63.18standards of care for the individual's diagnosis; or
63.19(iv) an item or service customarily provided and paid for by the sponsor of a trial.
63.20    Subd. 2. Prohibited acts. A health plan company that offers a health plan to a
63.21Minnesota resident may not:
63.22(1) deny participation by a qualified individual in an approved clinical trial;
63.23(2) deny, limit, or impose additional conditions on the coverage of routine patient
63.24costs for items or services furnished in connection with participation in the trial; or
63.25(3) discriminate against an individual on the basis of an individual's participation in
63.26an approved clinical trial.
63.27    Subd. 3. Network plan conditions. A health plan company that designates a
63.28network or networks of contracted providers may require a qualified individual who
63.29wishes to participate in an approved clinical trial to participate in a trial that is offered
63.30through a health care provider who is part of the plan's network if the provider is
63.31participating in the trial and the provider accepts the individual as a participant in the trial.
63.32    Subd. 4. Application to clinical trials outside of the state. This section applies
63.33to a qualified individual residing in this state who participates in an approved clinical
63.34trial that is conducted outside of this state.
63.35    Subd. 5. Construction. (a) This section shall not be construed to require a health
63.36plan company offering health plan coverage through a network or networks of contracted
64.1providers to provide benefits for routine patient costs if the services are provided outside
64.2of the plan's network unless the out-of-network benefits are otherwise provided under
64.3the coverage.
64.4(b) This section shall not be construed to limit a health plan company's coverage
64.5with respect to clinical trials.
64.6(c) This section shall apply to all health plan companies offering a health plan to a
64.7Minnesota resident, unless otherwise amended by federal regulations under the Affordable
64.8Care Act.
64.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

64.10    Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.55, is amended to read:
64.1162Q.55 EMERGENCY SERVICES.
64.12    Subdivision 1. Access to emergency services. (a) Enrollees have the right to
64.13available and accessible emergency services, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
64.14The health plan company shall inform its enrollees how to obtain emergency care and,
64.15if prior authorization for emergency services is required, shall make available a toll-free
64.16number, which is answered 24 hours a day, to answer questions about emergency services
64.17and to receive reports and provide authorizations, where appropriate, for treatment of
64.18emergency medical conditions. Emergency services shall be covered whether provided by
64.19participating or nonparticipating providers and whether provided within or outside the
64.20health plan company's service area. In reviewing a denial for coverage of emergency
64.21services, the health plan company shall take the following factors into consideration:
64.22(1) a reasonable layperson's belief that the circumstances required immediate medical
64.23care that could not wait until the next working day or next available clinic appointment;
64.24(2) the time of day and day of the week the care was provided;
64.25(3) the presenting symptoms, including, but not limited to, severe pain, to ensure
64.26that the decision to reimburse the emergency care is not made solely on the basis of the
64.27actual diagnosis;
64.28(4) the enrollee's efforts to follow the health plan company's established procedures
64.29for obtaining emergency care; and
64.30(5) any circumstances that precluded use of the health plan company's established
64.31procedures for obtaining emergency care.
64.32(b) The health plan company may require enrollees to notify the health plan
64.33company of nonreferred emergency care as soon as possible, but not later than 48 hours,
64.34after the emergency care is initially provided. However, emergency care which would
65.1have been covered under the contract had notice been provided within the set time frame
65.2must be covered.
65.3(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a health plan company, health insurer, or
65.4health coverage plan that is in compliance with the rules regarding accessibility of services
65.5adopted under section 62D.20 is in compliance with this section.
65.6    Subd. 2. Emergency medical condition. For purposes of this section, "emergency
65.7medical condition" means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of
65.8sufficient severity, including severe pain, such that a prudent layperson, who possesses
65.9an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of
65.10immediate medical attention to result in a condition described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii), of
65.11section 1867(e)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act.
65.12    Subd. 3. Emergency services. As used in this section, "emergency services" means,
65.13with respect to an emergency medical condition:
65.14(1) a medical screening examination, as required under section 1867 of the Social
65.15Security Act, that is within the capability of the emergency department of a hospital,
65.16including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate
65.17such emergency medical condition; and
65.18(2) within the capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, such
65.19further medical examination and treatment as are required under section 1867 of the
65.20act to stabilize the patient.
65.21    Subd. 4. Stabilize. For purposes of this section, "stabilize" means, with respect to
65.22an emergency medical condition has the meaning given in section 1867(e)(3) of the Social
65.23Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1395dd(e)(3).
65.24    Subd. 5. Coverage restrictions or limitations. If emergency services are provided
65.25by a nonparticipating provider, with or without prior authorization, the health plan
65.26company shall not impose coverage restrictions or limitations that are more restrictive
65.27than apply to emergency services received from a participating provider. Cost-sharing
65.28requirements that apply to emergency services received out-of-network must be the same
65.29as the cost-sharing requirements that apply to services received in-network.
65.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

65.31    Sec. 79. [62Q.57] DESIGNATION OF PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.
65.32    Subdivision 1. Choice of primary care provider. (a) If a health plan company
65.33offering a group health plan, or an individual health plan that is not a grandfathered plan,
65.34requires or provides for the designation by an enrollee of a participating primary care
65.35provider, the health plan company shall permit each enrollee to:
66.1(1) designate any participating primary care provider who is available to accept the
66.2enrollee; and
66.3(2) for a child, designate any participating physician who specializes in pediatrics as
66.4the child's primary care provider and is available to accept the child.
66.5(b) This section does not waive any exclusions of coverage under the terms and
66.6conditions of the health plan with respect to coverage of pediatric care.
66.7    Subd. 2. Notice. A health plan company shall provide notice to enrollees of the
66.8provisions of subdivision 1 in accordance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
66.9    Subd. 3. Enforcement. The commissioner shall enforce this section.
66.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

66.11    Sec. 80. [62Q.677] LIFETIME AND ANNUAL LIMITS.
66.12    Subdivision 1. Applicability and scope. Except as provided in subdivision 2,
66.13this section applies to a health plan company providing coverage under an individual or
66.14group health plan. For purposes of this section, essential health benefits means as defined
66.15under section 62Q.81.
66.16    Subd. 2. Grandfathered plan limits. (a) The prohibition on lifetime limits applies
66.17to grandfathered plans providing individual health plan coverage or group health plan
66.18coverage.
66.19(b) The prohibition and limits on annual limits applies to grandfathered plans
66.20providing group health plan coverage, but it does not apply to grandfathered plans
66.21providing individual health plan coverage.
66.22    Subd. 3. Prohibition on lifetime and annual limits. (a) Except as provided in
66.23subdivisions 4 and 5, a health plan company offering coverage under an individual or
66.24group health plan shall not establish a lifetime limit on the dollar amount of essential
66.25health benefits for any individual.
66.26(b) Except as provided in subdivisions 4, 5, and 6, a health plan company shall
66.27not establish any annual limit on the dollar amount of essential health benefits for any
66.28individual.
66.29    Subd. 4. Nonessential benefits; out-of-network providers. (a) Subdivision 3 does
66.30not prevent a health plan company from placing annual or lifetime dollar limits for any
66.31individual on specific covered benefits that are not essential health benefits as defined in
66.32section 62Q.81, subdivision 4, to the extent that the limits are otherwise permitted under
66.33applicable federal or state law.
66.34(b) Subdivision 3 does not prevent a health plan company from placing an annual or
66.35lifetime limit for services provided by out-of-network providers.
67.1    Subd. 5. Excluded benefits. This section does not prohibit a health plan company
67.2from excluding all benefits for a given condition.
67.3    Subd. 6. Annual limits prior to January 1, 2014. For plan or policy years
67.4beginning before January 1, 2014, for any individual, a health plan company may establish
67.5an annual limit on the dollar amount of benefits that are essential health benefits provided
67.6the limit is no less than the following:
67.7(1) for a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2010, but before
67.8September 23, 2011, $750,000;
67.9(2) for a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2011, but before
67.10September 23, 2012, $1,250,000; and
67.11(3) for a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2012, but before January
67.121, 2014, $2,000,000.
67.13In determining whether an individual has received benefits that meet or exceed the
67.14allowable limits, a health plan company shall take into account only essential health
67.15benefits.
67.16    Subd. 7. Waivers. For plan or policy years beginning before January 1, 2014, a
67.17health plan is exempt from the annual limit requirements if the health plan is approved for
67.18a waiver from the requirements by the United States Department of Health and Human
67.19Services, but the exemption only applies for the specified period of time that the waiver
67.20from the United States Department of Health and Human Services is applicable.
67.21    Subd. 8. Notices. (a) At the time a health plan company receives a waiver from the
67.22United States Department of Health and Human Services, the health plan company shall
67.23notify prospective applicants and affected policyholders and the commissioner in each
67.24state where prospective applicants and any affected insured are known to reside.
67.25(b) At the time the waiver expires or is otherwise no longer in effect, the health plan
67.26company shall notify affected policyholders and the commissioner in each state where
67.27any affected insured is known to reside.
67.28    Subd. 9. Reinstatement. A health plan company shall comply with all provisions of
67.29the Affordable Care Act with regard to reinstatement of coverage for individuals whose
67.30coverage or benefits under a health plan ended by reason of reaching a lifetime dollar limit
67.31on the dollar value of all benefits for the individual.
67.32    Subd. 10. Compliance. This section does not require compliance with any
67.33provision of the Affordable Care Act before the effective date provided for that provision
67.34in the Affordable Care Act. The commissioner shall enforce this section.
67.35EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

68.1    Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.68, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
68.2    Subdivision 1. Application. For purposes of sections 62Q.68 to 62Q.72, the terms
68.3defined in this section have the meanings given them. For purposes of sections 62Q.69
68.4and 62Q.70, the term "health plan company" does not include an insurance company
68.5licensed under chapter 60A to offer, sell, or issue a policy of accident and sickness
68.6insurance as defined in section 62A.01 or a nonprofit health service plan corporation
68.7regulated under chapter 62C that only provides dental coverage or vision coverage. For
68.8purposes of sections 62Q.69 through 62Q.73, the term "health plan company" does
68.9not include the Comprehensive Health Association created under chapter 62E. Section
68.1062Q.70 does not apply to individual coverage. However, a health plan company offering
68.11individual coverage may, pursuant to section 62Q.69, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), follow
68.12the process outlined in section 62Q.70.
68.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

68.14    Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.69, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
68.15    Subd. 3. Notification of complaint decisions. (a) The health plan company must
68.16notify the complainant in writing of its decision and the reasons for it as soon as practical
68.17but in no case later than 30 days after receipt of a written complaint. If the health plan
68.18company cannot make a decision within 30 days due to circumstances outside the control
68.19of the health plan company, the health plan company may take up to 14 additional days to
68.20notify the complainant of its decision. If the health plan company takes any additional
68.21days beyond the initial 30-day period to make its decision, it must inform the complainant,
68.22in advance, of the extension and the reasons for the extension.
68.23(b) For group health plans, if the decision is partially or wholly adverse to the
68.24complainant, the notification must inform the complainant of the right to appeal the
68.25decision to the health plan company's internal appeal process described in section 62Q.70
68.26and the procedure for initiating an appeal.
68.27(c) For individual health plans, if the decision is partially or wholly adverse to
68.28the complainant, the notification must inform the complainant of the right to submit the
68.29complaint decision to the external review process described in section 62Q.73 and the
68.30procedure for initiating the external process. Notwithstanding the provisions in this
68.31subdivision, a health plan company offering individual coverage may instead follow the
68.32process for group health plans outlined in paragraph (b).
68.33(c) (d) The notification must also inform the complainant of the right to submit the
68.34complaint at any time to either the commissioner of health or commerce for investigation
68.35and the toll-free telephone number of the appropriate commissioner.
69.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

69.2    Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.70, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
69.3    Subdivision 1. Establishment. (a) Each health plan company shall establish an
69.4internal appeal process for reviewing a health plan company's decision regarding a
69.5complaint filed in accordance with section 62Q.69. The appeal process must meet the
69.6requirements of this section. This section applies only to group health plans. However,
69.7a health plan company offering individual coverage may, pursuant to section 62Q.69,
69.8subdivision 3, paragraph (c), follow the process outlined in this section.
69.9(b) The person or persons with authority to resolve or recommend the resolution of
69.10the internal appeal must not be solely the same person or persons who made the complaint
69.11decision under section 62Q.69.
69.12(c) The internal appeal process must permit the enrollee to review the information
69.13relied upon in the course of the appeal and the receipt of testimony, correspondence,
69.14explanations, or other information from the complainant, staff persons, administrators,
69.15providers, or other persons as deemed necessary by the person or persons investigating or
69.16presiding over the appeal.
69.17(d) The enrollee must be allowed to receive continued coverage pending the
69.18outcome of the appeals process.
69.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

69.20    Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.70, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
69.21    Subd. 2. Procedures for filing an appeal. The health plan company must provide
69.22notice to enrollees of its internal appeals process in a culturally and linguistically
69.23appropriate manner consistent with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. If a
69.24complainant notifies the health plan company of the complainant's desire to appeal the
69.25health plan company's decision regarding the complaint through the internal appeal
69.26process, the health plan company must provide the complainant the option for the appeal
69.27to occur either in writing or by hearing.
69.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

69.29    Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.71, is amended to read:
69.3062Q.71 NOTICE TO ENROLLEES.
69.31Each health plan company shall provide to enrollees a clear and concise description
69.32of its complaint resolution procedure, if applicable under section 62Q.68, subdivision 1,
70.1and the procedure used for utilization review as defined under chapter 62M as part of
70.2the member handbook, subscriber contract, or certificate of coverage. If the health plan
70.3company does not issue a member handbook, the health plan company may provide
70.4the description in another written document. The description must specifically inform
70.5enrollees:
70.6(1) how to submit a complaint to the health plan company;
70.7(2) if the health plan includes utilization review requirements, how to notify the
70.8utilization review organization in a timely manner and how to obtain certification for
70.9health care services;
70.10(3) how to request an appeal either through the procedures described in sections
70.1162Q.69 and section 62Q.70 if applicable, or through the procedures described in chapter
70.1262M;
70.13(4) of the right to file a complaint with either the commissioner of health or
70.14commerce at any time during the complaint and appeal process;
70.15(5) of the toll-free telephone number of the appropriate commissioner; and
70.16(6) of the right, for individual and group coverage, to obtain an external review
70.17under section 62Q.73 and a description of when and how that right may be exercised.,
70.18including that under most circumstances an enrollee must exhaust the internal complaint
70.19or appeal process prior to external review. However, an enrollee may proceed to external
70.20review without exhausting the internal complaint or appeal process under the following
70.21circumstances:
70.22(i) the health plan company waives the exhaustion requirement;
70.23(ii) the health plan company is considered to have waived the exhaustion requirement
70.24by failing to substantially comply with any requirements including, but not limited to,
70.25time limits for internal complaints or appeals; or
70.26(iii) the enrollee has applied for an expedited external review at the same time the
70.27enrollee qualifies for and has applied for an expedited internal review under chapter 62M.
70.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

70.29    Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.73, is amended to read:
70.3062Q.73 EXTERNAL REVIEW OF ADVERSE DETERMINATIONS.
70.31    Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "adverse determination"
70.32means:
70.33(1) for individual health plans, a complaint decision relating to a health care service
70.34or claim that is partially or wholly adverse to the complainant;
71.1(2) an individual health plan that is grandfathered plan coverage may instead apply
71.2the definition of adverse determination for group coverage in clause (3);
71.3(3) for group health plans, a complaint decision relating to a health care service or
71.4claim that has been appealed in accordance with section 62Q.70 and the appeal decision is
71.5partially or wholly adverse to the complainant;
71.6(2) (4) any initial determination not to certify that has been appealed in accordance
71.7with section 62M.06 and the appeal did not reverse the initial determination not to certify; or
71.8(3) (5) a decision relating to a health care service made by a health plan company
71.9licensed under chapter 60A that denies the service on the basis that the service was not
71.10medically necessary.; or
71.11(6) the enrollee has met the requirements of subdivision 6, paragraph (e).
71.12An adverse determination does not include complaints relating to fraudulent marketing
71.13practices or agent misrepresentation.
71.14    Subd. 2. Exception. (a) This section does not apply to governmental programs
71.15except as permitted under paragraph (b). For purposes of this subdivision, "governmental
71.16programs" means the prepaid medical assistance program, the MinnesotaCare program,
71.17the prepaid general assistance medical care program, the demonstration project for people
71.18with disabilities, and the federal Medicare program.
71.19(b) In the course of a recipient's appeal of a medical determination to the
71.20commissioner of human services under section 256.045, the recipient may request an
71.21expert medical opinion be arranged by the external review entity under contract to provide
71.22independent external reviews under this section. If such a request is made, the cost of the
71.23review shall be paid by the commissioner of human services. Any medical opinion obtained
71.24under this paragraph shall only be used by a state human services referee as evidence in
71.25the recipient's appeal to the commissioner of human services under section 256.045.
71.26(c) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to limit or restrict the appeal rights
71.27provided in section 256.045 for governmental program recipients.
71.28    Subd. 3. Right to external review. (a) Any enrollee or anyone acting on behalf
71.29of an enrollee who has received an adverse determination may submit a written request
71.30for an external review of the adverse determination, if applicable under section 62Q.68,
71.31subdivision 1 , or 62M.06, to the commissioner of health if the request involves a health
71.32plan company regulated by that commissioner or to the commissioner of commerce if the
71.33request involves a health plan company regulated by that commissioner. Notification of
71.34the enrollee's right to external review must accompany the denial issued by the insurer.
71.35The written request must be accompanied by a filing fee of $25. The fee may be waived
71.36by the commissioner of health or commerce in cases of financial hardship and must be
72.1refunded if the adverse determination is completely reversed. No enrollee may be subject
72.2to filing fees totaling more than $75 during a plan year for group coverage or policy year
72.3for individual coverage.
72.4(b) Nothing in this section requires the commissioner of health or commerce to
72.5independently investigate an adverse determination referred for independent external
72.6review.
72.7(c) If an enrollee requests an external review, the health plan company must
72.8participate in the external review. The cost of the external review in excess of the filing
72.9fee described in paragraph (a) shall be borne by the health plan company.
72.10(d) The enrollee must request external review within six months from the date of
72.11the adverse determination.
72.12    Subd. 4. Contract. Pursuant to a request for proposal, the commissioner of
72.13administration, in consultation with the commissioners of health and commerce, shall
72.14contract with an organization at least three organizations or business entity entities to
72.15provide independent external reviews of all adverse determinations submitted for external
72.16review. The contract shall ensure that the fees for services rendered in connection with the
72.17reviews be are reasonable.
72.18    Subd. 5. Criteria. (a) The request for proposal must require that the entity
72.19demonstrate:
72.20(1) no conflicts of interest in that it is not owned, a subsidiary of, or affiliated
72.21with a health plan company or, utilization review organization, or a trade organization
72.22of health care providers;
72.23(2) an expertise in dispute resolution;
72.24(3) an expertise in health-related law;
72.25(4) an ability to conduct reviews using a variety of alternative dispute resolution
72.26procedures depending upon the nature of the dispute;
72.27(5) an ability to maintain written records, for at least three years, regarding reviews
72.28conducted and provide data to the commissioners of health and commerce upon request on
72.29reviews conducted; and
72.30(6) an ability to ensure confidentiality of medical records and other enrollee
72.31information.;
72.32(7) accreditation by nationally recognized private accrediting organization; and
72.33(8) the ability to provide an expedited external review process.
72.34(b) The commissioner of administration shall take into consideration, in awarding
72.35the contract according to subdivision 4, any national accreditation standards that pertain to
72.36an external review entity.
73.1    Subd. 6. Process. (a) Upon receiving a request for an external review, the
73.2 commissioner shall assign an external review entity on a random basis. The assigned
73.3 external review entity must provide immediate notice of the review to the enrollee and to
73.4the health plan company. Within ten business days of receiving notice of the review, the
73.5health plan company and the enrollee must provide the assigned external review entity
73.6with any information that they wish to be considered. Each party shall be provided an
73.7opportunity to present its version of the facts and arguments. The assigned external review
73.8entity must furnish to the health plan company any additional information submitted by
73.9the enrollee within one business day of receipt. An enrollee may be assisted or represented
73.10by a person of the enrollee's choice.
73.11(b) As part of the external review process, any aspect of an external review involving
73.12a medical determination must be performed by a health care professional with expertise in
73.13the medical issue being reviewed.
73.14(c) An external review shall be made as soon as practical but in no case later than 40
73.15 45 days after receiving the request for an external review and must promptly send written
73.16notice of the decision and the reasons for it to the enrollee, the health plan company, and
73.17the commissioner who is responsible for regulating the health plan company.
73.18(d) The external review entity and the clinical reviewer assigned must not have a
73.19material professional, familial, or financial conflict of interest with:
73.20(1) the health plan company that is the subject of the external review;
73.21(2) the enrollee, or any parties related to the enrollee, whose treatment is the subject
73.22of the external review;
73.23(3) any officer, director, or management employee of the health plan company;
73.24(4) a plan administrator, plan fiduciaries, or plan employees;
73.25(5) the health care provider, the health care provider's group, or practice association
73.26recommending treatment that is the subject of the external review;
73.27(6) the facility at which the recommended treatment would be provided; or
73.28(7) the developer or manufacturer of the principle drug, device, procedure, or other
73.29therapy being recommended.
73.30(e)(1) An expedited external review must be provided if the enrollee requests it
73.31after receiving:
73.32(i) an adverse determination that involves a medical condition for which the time
73.33frame for completion of an expedited internal appeal would seriously jeopardize the life
73.34or health of the enrollee or would jeopardize the enrollee's ability to regain maximum
73.35function and the enrollee has simultaneously requested an expedited internal appeal;
74.1(ii) an adverse determination that concerns an admission, availability of care,
74.2continued stay, or health care service for which the enrollee received emergency services
74.3but has not been discharged from a facility; or
74.4(iii) an adverse determination that involves a medical condition for which the
74.5standard external review time would seriously jeopardize the life or health of the enrollee
74.6or jeopardize the enrollee's ability to regain maximum function.
74.7(2) The external review entity must make its expedited determination to uphold or
74.8reverse the adverse determination as expeditiously as possible but within no more than 72
74.9hours after the receipt of the request for expedited review and notify the enrollee and the
74.10health plan company of the determination.
74.11(3) If the external review entity's notification is not in writing, the external review
74.12entity must provide written confirmation of the determination within 48 hours of the
74.13notification.
74.14    Subd. 7. Standards of review. (a) For an external review of any issue in an adverse
74.15determination that does not require a medical necessity determination, the external review
74.16must be based on whether the adverse determination was in compliance with the enrollee's
74.17health benefit plan.
74.18(b) For an external review of any issue in an adverse determination by a health plan
74.19company licensed under chapter 62D that requires a medical necessity determination, the
74.20external review must determine whether the adverse determination was consistent with the
74.21definition of medically necessary care in Minnesota Rules, part 4685.0100, subpart 9b.
74.22(c) For an external review of any issue in an adverse determination by a health plan
74.23company, other than a health plan company licensed under chapter 62D, that requires a
74.24medical necessity determination, the external review must determine whether the adverse
74.25determination was consistent with the definition of medically necessary care in section
74.2662Q.53, subdivision 2 .
74.27(d) For an external review of an adverse determination involving experimental
74.28or investigational treatment, the external review entity must base its decision on all
74.29documents submitted by the health plan company and enrollee, including medical
74.30records the attending physician or health care professional's recommendation, consulting
74.31reports from health care professionals, the terms of coverage, federal Food and Drug
74.32Administration approval, and medical or scientific evidence or evidence-based standards.
74.33    Subd. 8. Effects of external review. A decision rendered under this section shall
74.34be nonbinding on the enrollee and binding on the health plan company. The health plan
74.35company may seek judicial review of the decision on the grounds that the decision was
74.36arbitrary and capricious or involved an abuse of discretion.
75.1    Subd. 9. Immunity from civil liability. A person who participates in an external
75.2review by investigating, reviewing materials, providing technical expertise, or rendering a
75.3decision shall not be civilly liable for any action that is taken in good faith, that is within
75.4the scope of the person's duties, and that does not constitute willful or reckless misconduct.
75.5    Subd. 10. Data reporting. The commissioners shall make available to the public,
75.6upon request, summary data on the decisions rendered under this section, including the
75.7number of reviews heard and decided and the final outcomes. Any data released to the
75.8public must not individually identify the enrollee initiating the request for external review.
75.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

75.10    Sec. 87. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
75.11    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms
75.12have the meanings given to them.
75.13(b) "Clean claim" means a claim that has no defect or impropriety, including any lack
75.14of any required substantiating documentation, including, but not limited to, coordination
75.15of benefits information, or particular circumstance requiring special treatment that
75.16prevents timely payment from being made on a claim under this section. A special
75.17circumstance includes, but is not limited to, a claim held pending payment of an overdue
75.18premium for the time period during which the expense was incurred as allowed by the
75.19Affordable Care Act. Nothing in this section alters an enrollee's obligation to disclose
75.20information as required by law.
75.21(c) "Third-party administrator" means a third-party administrator or other entity
75.22subject to section 60A.23, subdivision 8, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2767.
75.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

75.24    Sec. 88. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62Q.80, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
75.25    Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
75.26(a) "Community-based" means located in or primarily relating to the community,
75.27as determined by the board of a community-based health initiative that is served by the
75.28community-based health care coverage program.
75.29(b) "Community-based health care coverage program" or "program" means a
75.30program administered by a community-based health initiative that provides health care
75.31services through provider members of a community-based health network or combination
75.32of networks to eligible individuals and their dependents who are enrolled in the program.
76.1(c) "Community-based health initiative" or "initiative" means a nonprofit corporation
76.2that is governed by a board that has at least 80 percent of its members residing in the
76.3community and includes representatives of the participating network providers and
76.4employers, or a county-based purchasing organization as defined in section 256B.692.
76.5(d) "Community-based health network" means a contract-based network of health
76.6care providers organized by the community-based health initiative to provide or support
76.7the delivery of health care services to enrollees of the community-based health care
76.8coverage program on a risk-sharing or nonrisk-sharing basis.
76.9(e) "Dependent" means an eligible employee's spouse or unmarried child who
76.10is under the age of 19 26 years.
76.11EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

76.12    Sec. 89. [62Q.81] ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFIT PACKAGE
76.13REQUIREMENTS.
76.14    Subdivision 1. Essential health benefits package. (a) Health plan companies
76.15offering individual and small group health plans must include the essential health benefits
76.16package required under section 1302(a) of the Affordable Care Act and as described
76.17in this subdivision.
76.18    (b) The essential health benefits package means coverage that:
76.19    (1) provides essential health benefits as outlined in the Affordable Care Act;
76.20    (2) limits cost-sharing for such coverage in accordance with the Affordable Care
76.21Act, as described in subdivision 2; and
76.22    (3) subject to subdivision 3, provides bronze, silver, gold, or platinum level of
76.23coverage in accordance with the Affordable Care Act.
76.24    Subd. 2. Coverage for enrollees under the age of 21. If a health plan company
76.25offers health plans in any level of coverage specified under section 1302(d) of the
76.26Affordable Care Act, as described in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (3), the health
76.27plan company shall also offer coverage in that level to individuals who have not attained
76.2821 years of age as of the beginning of a policy year.
76.29    Subd. 3. Alternative compliance for catastrophic plans. A health plan company
76.30that does not provide an individual or small group health plan in the bronze, silver, gold,
76.31or platinum level of coverage, as described in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (3),
76.32shall be treated as meeting the requirements of section 1302(d) of the Affordable Care Act
76.33with respect to any policy year if the health plan company provides a catastrophic plan
76.34that meets the requirements of section 1302(e) of the Affordable Care Act.
77.1    Subd. 4. Essential health benefits; definition. For purposes of this section,
77.2"essential health benefits" has the meaning given under section 1302(b) of the Affordable
77.3Care Act, and includes:
77.4    (1) ambulatory patient services;
77.5    (2) emergency services;
77.6    (3) hospitalization;
77.7    (4) laboratory services;
77.8    (5) maternity and newborn care;
77.9    (6) mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health
77.10treatment;
77.11    (7) pediatric services, including oral and vision care;
77.12    (8) prescription drugs;
77.13    (9) preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management;
77.14    (10) rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; and
77.15    (11) additional essential health benefits included in the EHB-benchmark plan, as
77.16defined under the Affordable Care Act.
77.17    Subd. 5. Exception. This section does not apply to a dental plan described in
77.18section 1311(d)(2)(B)(ii) of the Affordable Care Act.
77.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2014.

77.20    Sec. 90. [62Q.82] BENEFITS AND COVERAGE EXPLANATION.
77.21    Subdivision 1. Summary. Health plan companies offering health plans shall provide
77.22a summary of benefits and coverage explanation as required by the Affordable Care Act to:
77.23(1) an applicant at the time of application;
77.24(2) an enrollee prior to the time of enrollment or reenrollment, as applicable; and
77.25(3) a policyholder at the time of issuance of the policy.
77.26    Subd. 2. Compliance. A health plan company described in subdivision 1 shall be
77.27deemed to have complied with subdivision 1 if the summary of benefits and coverage is
77.28provided in paper or electronic form as required under the Affordable Care Act.
77.29    Subd. 3. Notice of modification. Except in connection with a policy renewal or
77.30reissuance, if a health plan company makes any material modifications in any of the
77.31terms of the coverage, as defined for purposes of section 102 of the federal Employee
77.32Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, that is not reflected in the most
77.33recently provided summary of benefits and coverage, the health plan company shall
77.34provide notice of the modification to enrollees not later than 60 days prior to the date on
77.35which the modification will become effective.
78.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

78.2    Sec. 91. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 72A.20, subdivision 35, is amended to read:
78.3    Subd. 35. Determination of health plan policy limits. Any health plan under
78.4section 62A.011, subdivision 3, that includes a specific policy limit within its insurance
78.5policy, certificate, or subscriber agreement shall calculate the policy limit by using the
78.6amount actually paid on behalf of the insured, subscriber, or dependents for services
78.7covered under the policy, subscriber agreement, or certificate unless the amount paid is
78.8greater than the billed charge. This provision does not permit the application of a specific
78.9policy limit within a health plan where the limit is prohibited under the Affordable Care
78.10Act as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 1a.
78.11EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

78.12    Sec. 92. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 471.61, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
78.13    Subd. 1a. Dependents. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1969,
78.14section 471.61, as amended by Laws 1971, chapter 451, section 1, the word "dependents" as
78.15used therein shall mean spouse and minor unmarried children under the age of 18 26 years
78.16and dependent students under the age of 25 years actually dependent upon the employee.
78.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

78.18    Sec. 93. REPEALER.
78.19(a) Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 62E.02, subdivision 7, is repealed effective the
78.20day following final enactment.
78.21(b) Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 62A.615; 62A.65, subdivision 6; 62E.16;
78.2262E.20; 62L.02, subdivisions 4, 18, 19, 23, and 24; 62L.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 4a,
78.235, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13; 62L.081; 62L.10, subdivision 5; and 62Q.37, subdivision 5, are
78.24repealed effective January 1, 2014.

78.27Amend the title accordingly