Definitions

As used in this chapter: 1. "Enrollment date" means the first day of coverage or, if there is a waiting period, the first day of the waiting period. 2. "First day of coverage" means, in the case of an individual covered for benefits under a group health plan in the group market, the first day of coverage under the plan and, in the case of an individual covered by health insurance coverage in the individual market, the first day of coverage under the policy. 3. "Health carrier" means any entity that provides health insurance in this state. For purposes of this chapter, "health carrier" includes an insurance company, a prepaid limited health services corporation, a fraternal benefits society, a health maintenance organization, a nonprofit health services corporation, and any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits subject to state insurance regulation. 4. "Late enrollee" means an individual whose enrollment in a plan is a late enrollment. 5. "Late enrollment" means enrollment under a group health plan other than on the earliest date on which coverage can become effective under the terms of the plan, or a special enrollment date for the individual. If an individual ceases to be eligible for coverage under the plan by terminating employment, and then subsequently becomes eligible for coverage under the plan by resuming employment, only eligibility during the individual's most recent period of employment is taken into account in determining whether the individual is a late enrollee under the plan with respect to the most recent period of coverage. Similar rules apply if an individual again becomes eligible for coverage following a suspension of coverage that applied generally under the plan. 6. "Preexisting condition exclusion" means a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to a condition based on the fact that the condition was present before the effective date of coverage, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before such date. 7. "Waiting period" means the period that must pass before an employee or dependent is eligible to enroll under the terms of a group health plan. If an employee or dependent enrolls as a late enrollee or on a special enrollment date, any period before such late or special enrollment is not a waiting period. If an individual seeks and obtains coverage in the individual market, any period after the date the individual files a substantially complete application for coverage and before the first day of coverage is a waiting period.