§ 8085. Minimum benefits and coverage; general
(a) The Commissioner shall adopt rules establishing standards for minimum benefits and
coverage that must be provided by a long-term care insurance policy to carry out the
purposes of subsection (b) of this section. Nothing in this section prohibits an insurer
from underwriting in accordance with that insurer’s underwriting standards and the
requirements of section 8086 of this title.
(b) No long-term care insurance policy may:
(1) be canceled, nonrenewed, or otherwise terminated on grounds other than by cancellation
by the insured individual or certificate holder; nonpayment of premiums by the insured
individual or certificate holder; all amounts potentially payable under the terms
of the policy having been fully paid out; or except as provided for in section 8094 of this title;
(2) contain a provision establishing a new waiting period in the event existing coverage
is converted to or replaced by a new or other form within the same company, except
with respect to an increase in benefits voluntarily selected by the insured individual
or group policyholder;
(3) provide coverage for skilled nursing care only or provide significantly more coverage
for skilled care in a facility than coverage for lower levels of care;
(4) deny benefits or coverage on the basis that the need for services arises from a mental
condition or Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders;
(5) be issued without including a provision covering home health care benefits that complies
with the standards for minimum benefits and coverage established by rule under subsection
(a) of this section;
(6) fail to offer adult day care benefits, either in the policy or as an optional rider,
that comply with the standards for minimum benefits and coverage established by rule
under subsection (a) of this section;
(7) be offered without including an option for inflation adjustment protection that complies
with the standards for minimum benefits and coverage established by rule under subsection
(a) of this section;
(8) include a deductible or elimination period in excess of 100 days, computed in a manner
prescribed by the Commissioner by rule, for any covered benefit;
(9) require payment of premiums more frequently than monthly; or
(10) be represented as having a premium described as level, fixed, or by similar words,
if the premium is not, in fact, fixed and may be increased. (Added 2003, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 23.)