2010 Delaware Code
Title 18 - Insurance Code
Chapter 33. Health Insurance Contracts

TITLE 18 Insurance Code Insurance CHAPTER 33. HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACTS

§ 3301. Scope of chapter.

This chapter shall not apply to or affect:

(1) Any policy of liability or workers' compensation insurance with or without supplementary expense coverage therein;

(2) Any group or blanket policy;

(3) Life insurance, endowment or annuity contracts, or contracts supplemental thereto which contain only such provisions relating to health insurance as:

a. Provide additional benefits in case of death or dismemberment or loss of sight by accident or accidental means; or as

b. Operate to safeguard such contracts against lapse, or to give a special surrender value or special benefit or an annuity in the event that the insured or annuitant becomes totally and permanently disabled, as defined by the contract or supplemental contract;

(4) Reinsurance.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3301; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3302. Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the "Uniform Health Policy Provisions Law."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3302; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3303. Scope, format of policy.

No policy of health insurance shall be delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this State unless it otherwise complies with this title and complies with the following:

(1) The entire money and other considerations therefor shall be expressed therein;

(2) The time when the insurance takes effect and terminates shall be expressed therein;

(3) It shall purport to insure only 1 person, except that a policy may insure, originally or by subsequent amendment, upon the application of an adult member of a family, who shall be deemed the policyholder, any 2 or more eligible members of that family, including husband, wife, dependent children or any children under a specified age which shall not exceed 19 years and any other person dependent upon the policyholder;

(4) The style, arrangement and overall appearance of the policy shall give no undue prominence to any portion of the text, and every printed portion of the text of the policy and of any endorsements or attached papers shall be plainly printed in light-faced type of a style in general use, the size of which shall be uniform and not less than 10 point with a lower case unspaced alphabet length not less than 120 point (the "text" shall include all printed matter except the name and address of the insurer, name or title of the policy, the brief description, if any, and captions and subcaptions);

(5) The exceptions and reductions of indemnity shall be set forth in the policy and, other than those contained in §§ 3305-3326, inclusive, of this title, shall be printed, at the insurer's option, either included with the benefit provision to which they apply, or under an appropriate caption such as "exceptions," or "exceptions and reductions," except that if an exception or reduction specifically applies only to a particular benefit of the policy, a statement of such exception or reduction shall be included with the benefit provision to which it applies;

(6) Each such form, including riders and endorsements, shall be identified by a form number in the lower left-hand corner of the first page thereof; and

(7) The policy shall contain no provision purporting to make any portion of the charter, rules, constitution or bylaws of the insurer a part of the policy unless such portion is set forth in full in the policy, except in the case of the incorporation of, or reference to, a statement of rates or classification of risks, or short-rate table filed with the Commissioner.

(8) The policy shall contain no provision or nondisclosure clause prohibiting physicians or other health care providers from giving patients information regarding diagnoses, prognoses and treatment options.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3303; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 537, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3304. Required provisions; captions; omissions; substitutions.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) below, each such policy delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this State shall contain the provisions specified in §§ 3305-3316, inclusive, of this title, in the words in which the same appear; except, that the insurer may, at its option, substitute for 1 or more of such provisions corresponding provisions of different wording approved by the Commissioner which are in each instance not less favorable in any respect to the insured or the beneficiary. Each such provision shall be preceded individually by the applicable caption shown, or, at the option of the insurer, by such appropriate individual or group captions or subcaptions as the Commissioner may approve.

(b) If any such provision is in whole or in part inapplicable to or inconsistent with the coverage provided by a particular form of policy, the insurer, with the approval of the Commissioner, shall omit from such policy any inapplicable provision or part of a provision and shall modify any inconsistent provision or part of a provision in such manner as to make the provision as contained in the policy consistent with the coverage provided by the policy.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3304; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3305. Entire contract; changes.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"Entire Contract; Changes: This policy, including the endorsements and the attached papers, if any, constitutes the entire contract of insurance. No change in this policy shall be valid until approved by an executive officer of the company and unless such approval be endorsed hereon or attached hereto. No agent has authority to change this policy or to waive any of its provisions."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3305; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3306. Time limit on certain defenses.

(a) There shall be a provision as follows: "Time Limit on Certain Defenses:

(1) After 2 years from the date of issue of this policy, no misstatements, except fraudulent misstatements, made by the applicant in the application for such policy shall be used to void the policy or deny a claim for loss incurred as disability (as defined in the policy) commencing after the expiration of such 2-year period.

(2) No claim for loss incurred as disability (as defined in the policy) commencing 2 years from the date of issue of this policy shall be reduced or denied on the ground that a disease or physical condition not excluded from coverage by name or specific description effective on the date of loss had existed prior to the effective date of coverage of this policy."

(b) The policy provision required by paragraph (1) of subsection (a) above shall not be so construed as to affect any legal avoidance of a policy or denial of a claim during such initial 2-year period, nor to limit the application of §§ 3318-3320 of this title in the event of misstatement with respect to age or occupation or other insurance.

(c) A policy which the insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premium (1) until at least age 50, or (2) in the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue, may contain in lieu of the foregoing the following provision (from which the clause in parentheses may be omitted at the insurer's option) under the caption "Incontestable": "After this policy has been in force for a period of 2 years during the lifetime of the insured (excluding any period during which the insured is disabled), it shall become incontestable as to any statements, other than fraudulent statements, contained in the application."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3306; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 64 Del. Laws, c. 142, § 2.;

§ 3307. Grace period.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"A grace period of.. . (insert a number not less than "7" for weekly premium policies, "10" for monthly premium policies and "31" for all other policies) days will be granted for the payment of each premium falling due after the first premium, during which grace period the policy shall continue in force."

A policy in which the insurer reserves the right to refuse any renewal shall have, at the beginning of the above provision:

"Unless not less than five days prior to the premium due date the company has delivered to the insured or has mailed to his/her last address as shown by the records of the company written notice of its intention not to renew this policy beyond the period for which the premium has been accepted."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3307; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3308. Reinstatement.

(a) There shall be a provision as follows:

"Reinstatement: If any renewal premium be not paid within the time granted the insured for payment, a subsequent acceptance of premium by the insurer or by any agent duly authorized by the company to accept such premium, without requiring in connection therewith an application for reinstatement, shall reinstate the policy, provided, however, that if the company or such agent requires an application for reinstatement and issues a conditional receipt for the premium tendered, the policy will be reinstated upon approval of such application by the company or, lacking such approval, upon the forty-fifth day following the date of such conditional receipt unless the company has previously notified the insured in writing of its disapproval of such application. The reinstated policy shall cover only loss resulting from such accidental injury as may be sustained after the date of reinstatement and loss due to such sickness as may begin more than ten days after such date. In all other respects the insured and company shall have the same rights thereunder as they had under the policy immediately before the due date of the defaulted premium, subject to any provisions endorsed herein or attached hereto in connection with the reinstatement. Any premium accepted in connection with a reinstatement shall be applied to a period for which premium has not been previously paid, but not to any period more than sixty days prior to the date of reinstatement."

(b) The last sentence of the above provision may be omitted from any policy which the insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premiums:

(1) Until at least age 50; or

(2) In the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3308; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3309. Notice of claim.

(a) There shall be a provision as follows:

"Notice of Claim: Written notice of claim must be given to the company within twenty days after the occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the policy, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible. Notice given by or on behalf of the insured or the beneficiary to the company at............. . (insert the location of such office as the company may designate for the purpose), or to any authorized agent of the company, with information sufficient to identify the insured, shall be deemed notice to the company."

(b) In a policy providing a loss-of-time benefit which may be payable for at least 2 years, an insurer may at its option insert the following between the first and second sentences of the above provision:

"Subject to the qualifications set forth below, if the insured suffers loss of time on account of disability for which indemnity may be payable for at least two years, he/she shall, at least once in every six months after having given notice of the claim, give to the company notice of continuance of the disability, except in the event of legal incapacity. The period of six months following any filing of proof by the insured or any payment by the company on account of such claim or any denial of liability in whole or in part by the company shall be excluded in applying this provision. Delay in the giving of such notice shall not impair the insured's right to any indemnity which would otherwise have accrued during the period of six months preceding the date on which such notice is actually given."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3309; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3310. Claim.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"Claim Forms: The company, upon receipt of a notice of claim, will furnish to the claimant such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proofs of loss. If such forms are not furnished within fifteen days after the giving of such notice the claimant shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of this policy as to proof of loss upon submitting, within the time fixed in the policy for filing proofs of loss, written proof covering the occurrence, the character and the extent of the loss for which claim is made. The nonhospital claim form to be used under this provision is the Health Care Financing Administration Form-1500 or its successor. This form requirement shall not apply to medical payments made by the federal government, prescription drug claims, dental claims or claims using an electronic paperless submission process."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3310; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 416, § 1.;

§ 3311. Proofs of loss.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"Proofs of Loss: Written proof of loss must be furnished to the company at its said office in case of claim for loss for which this policy provides any periodic payment contingent upon continuing loss within ninety days after the termination of the period for which the company is liable and in case of claim for any other loss within ninety days after the date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within the time required shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it was not reasonably possible to give proof within such time, provided such proof is furnished as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in the absence of legal capacity, later than one year from the time proof is otherwise required."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3311; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3312. Time of payment of claims.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"Time of Payment of Claims: Indemnities payable under this policy for any loss other than loss for which this policy provides any periodic payment will be paid immediately upon receipt of due written proof of such loss. Subject to due written proof of loss, all accrued indemnities for loss for which this policy provides periodic payment will be paid . . . . . . . . . . . . (insert period for payment which must not be less frequently than monthly) and any balance remaining unpaid upon the termination of liability will be paid immediately upon receipt of due written proof."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3312; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3313. Payment of claims.

(a) There shall be a provision as follows:

"Payment of Claims: Indemnity for loss of life will be payable in accordance with the beneficiary designation and the provisions respecting such payment which may be prescribed herein and effective at the time of payment. If no such designation or provision is then effective, such indemnity shall be payable to the estate of the insured. Any other accrued indemnities unpaid at the insured's death may, at the option of the company, be paid either to such beneficiary or to such estate. All other indemnities will be payable to the insured."

(b) The following provisions, or either of them, may be included with the foregoing provision at the option of the insurer:

(1) "If any indemnity of this policy shall be payable to the estate of the insured, or to an insured or beneficiary who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the company may pay such indemnity, up to an amount not exceeding $. . . . . . . . . . . . (insert an amount which shall not exceed $1,000), to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the insured or beneficiary who is deemed by the company to be equitably entitled thereto. Any payment made by the company in good faith pursuant to this provision shall fully discharge the company to the extent of such payment."

(2) "Subject to any written direction of the insured in the application or otherwise all or a portion of any indemnities provided by this policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical or surgical services may, at the company's option and unless the insured requests otherwise in writing not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services, but it is not required that the service be rendered by a particular hospital or person."

(c) There shall be a provision as follows in contracts issued by an insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization:

"Payment of claims when coverage terminated during a period of hospitalization: If you are in the hospital when this policy nonrenews or terminates for any reason except nonpayment of premium, this policy shall continue coverage for that hospitalization at the same benefit level for a 10-day period from the date of termination."

(d) There shall be a provision as follows in contracts issued by an insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization:

"If this policy immediately succeeds prior coverage, and if you are in the hospital when this coverage becomes effective, benefits for that hospitalization will start at the end of 10 consecutive days of hospitalization under this policy at the level provided by this policy notwithstanding any preexisting conditions or other similar exclusions for the duration of the single continuing period of hospitalization."

The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to specified accident, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, long-term care or other limited benefit health insurance policies.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3313; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 323, § 1.;

§ 3314. Physical examination; autopsy.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"Physical Examinations and Autopsy: The company at its own expense shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and as often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of a claim hereunder and to make an autopsy in case of death where it is not forbidden by law."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3314; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3315. Legal actions.

There shall be a provision as follows:

"Legal Actions: No action at law or in equity shall be brought to recover on this policy prior to the expiration of sixty days after written proof of loss has been furnished in accordance with the requirements of this policy. No such action shall be brought after the expiration of three years after the time written proof of loss is required to be furnished."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3315; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3316. Change of beneficiary.

(a) There shall be a provision as follows:

"Change of Beneficiary: Unless the insured make an irrevocable designation of beneficiary, the right to change the beneficiary is reserved to the insured and the consent of the beneficiary or beneficiaries shall not be requisite to surrender or assignment of this policy or to any change of beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to any other changes in this policy."

(b) The first clause of this provision, relating to the irrevocable designation of beneficiary, may be omitted at the insurer's option.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3316; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3317. Optional policy provisions.

Except as provided in § 3304 of this title, no such policy delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this State shall contain provisions respecting the matters set forth in §§ 3318-3325, inclusive, of this title unless such provisions are in the words in which the same appear in the applicable section, except that the insurer may, at its option, use in lieu of any such provision a corresponding provision of different wording approved by the Commissioner which is not less favorable in any respect to the insured or the beneficiary. Any such provision contained in the policy shall be preceded individually by the appropriate caption or at the option of the insurer, by such appropriate individual or group captions or subcaptions as the Commissioner may approve.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3317; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3318. Change of occupation.

There may be a provision as follows:

"Change of Occupation: If the insured be injured or contract sickness after having changed his/her occupation to one classified by the company as more hazardous than that stated in this policy or while doing for compensation anything pertaining to an occupation so classified, the company will pay only such portion of the indemnities provided in this policy as the premium paid would have purchased at the rates and within the limits fixed by the company for such more hazardous occupation. If the insured changes his/her occupation to one classified by the company as less hazardous than that stated in this policy, the company, upon receipt of proof of such change of occupation, will reduce the premium rate accordingly and will return the excess pro rata unearned premium from the date of change of occupation or from the policy anniversary date immediately preceding receipt of such proof, whichever is the more recent. In applying this provision, the classification of occupational risk and the premium rates shall be such as have been last filed by the company prior to the occurrence of the loss for which the company is liable or prior to date of proof of change in occupation with the state official having supervision of insurance in the state where the insured resided at the time this policy was issued, but if such filing was not required, then the classification of occupational risk and the premium rates shall be those last made effective by the company in such state prior to the occurrence of the loss or prior to the date of proof of change in occupation."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3318; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3319. Misstatement of age.

There may be a provison as follows:

"Misstatement of Age: If the age of the insured has been misstated, all amounts payable under this policy shall be such as the premium paid would have purchased at the correct age."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3319; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3320. Overinsurance; all coverages.

(a) There may be a provision as follows:

"Overinsurance: If, with respect to a person covered under this policy, benefits for allowable expense incurred during a claim determination period under this policy together with benefits for allowable expense during such period under all other valid coverage (without giving effect to this provision or to any "overinsurance provision' applying to such other valid coverage), exceed the total of such person's allowable expense during such period, this company shall be liable only for such proportionate amount of the benefits for allowable expense under this policy during such period as:

(1) The total allowable expense during such period bears to

(2) The total amount of benefits payable during such period for such expense under this policy and all other valid coverage (without giving effect to this provision or to any "overinsurance provision' applying to such other valid coverage) less in both (1) and (2) any amount of benefits for allowable expense payable under other valid coverage which does not contain an "overinsurance provision.' In no event shall this provision operate to increase the amount of benefits for allowable expense payable under this policy with respect to a person covered under this policy above the amount which would have been paid in the absence of this provision. This company may pay benefits to any insurer providing other valid coverage in the event of overpayment by such insurer. Any such payment shall discharge the liability of this company as fully as if the payment had been made directly to the insured, his/her assignee or his/her beneficiary. In the event that this company pays benefits to the insured, his/her assignee or his/her beneficiary, in excess of the amount which would have been payable if the existence of other valid coverage had been disclosed, this company shall have a right of action against the insured, his/her assignee or his/her beneficiary, to recover the amount which would not have been paid had there been a disclosure of the existence of the other valid coverage. The amount of other valid coverage which is on a provision of service basis shall be computed as the amount the services rendered would have cost in the absence of such coverage.

For the purposes of this provision:

(1) "Allowable expense' means 110% of any necessary, reasonable and customary item of expense which is covered, in whole or in part, as a hospital, surgical, medical or major medical expense under this policy or under any other valid coverage.

(2) "Claim determination period' with respect to any covered person means the initial period of . . . (insert period of not less than 30 days) and each successive period of a like number of days, during which allowable expense covered under this policy is incurred on account of such person. The first such period begins on the date when the first such expense is incurred, and successive periods shall begin when such expense is incurred after expiration of a prior period.

or, in lieu thereof:

"Claim determination period' with respect to any covered person means each . . . (insert calendar or policy period of not less than a month) during which allowable expense covered under this policy is incurred on account of such person.

(3) "Overinsurance provision' means this provision and any other provision which may reduce an insurer's liability because of the existence of benefits under other valid coverage."

(b) The foregoing policy provisions may be inserted in all policies providing hospital, surgical, medical or major medical benefits. The insurer may make this provision applicable to either or both (1) other valid coverage with other insurers, and (2) other valid coverage with the same insurer. The insurer shall include in this provision a definition of "other valid coverage" approved as to form by the Commissioner. Such term may include hospital, surgical, medical or major medical benefits provided by group, blanket or franchise coverage, individual and family-type coverage, Blue Cross-Blue Shield coverage and other prepayment plans, group practice and individual practice plans, uninsured benefits provided by labor-management trusteed plans, or union welfare plans, or by employer or employee benefit organizations, benefits provided under governmental programs, workers' compensation insurance or any coverage required or provided by any other statute, and medical payments under automobile liability and personal liability policies. Other valid coverage shall not include payments made under third party liability coverage as a result of a determination of negligence, but an insurer may at its option include a subrogation clause in its policy. The insurer may require, as part of the proof of claim, the information necessary to administer this provision.

(c) If by application of any of the foregoing provisions the insurer effects a material reduction of benefits otherwise payable under the policy, the insurer shall refund to the insured any premium unearned on the policy by reason of such reduction of coverage subject to the insurer's right to provide in the policy that no such reduction of benefits or refund will be made unless the unearned premium to be so refunded amounts to $5 or such larger sum as the insurer may specify.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3321; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3321. Relation of earnings to insurance.

(a) There may be a provision as follows:

"After the loss-of-time benefit of this policy has been payable for 90 days, such benefit will be adjusted, as provided below, if the total amount of unadjusted loss-of-time benefits provided in all valid loss-of-time coverage upon the insured should exceed . . . % of the insured's earned income, provided, however, that if the information contained in the application discloses that the total amount of loss-of-time benefits under this policy and under all other valid loss-of-time coverage expected to be effective upon the insured in accordance with the application for this policy exceeded . . . % of the insured's earned income at the time of such application, such higher percentage will be used in place of . . . %. Such adjusted loss-of-time benefit under this policy for any month shall be only such proportion of the loss-of-time benefit otherwise payable under this policy as:

(1) The product of the insured's earned income and . . . % (or, if higher the alternative percentage described at the end of the first sentence of this provision)

bears to

(2) The total amount of loss-of-time benefits payable for such month under this policy and all other valid loss-of-time coverage on the insured (without giving effect to the "overinsurance provision' in this or any other coverage) less in both (1) and (2) any amount of loss-of-time benefits payable under other valid loss-of-time coverage which does not contain an "overinsurance provision.' In making such computation, all benefits and earnings shall be converted to a consistent (insert "weekly' if the loss-of-time benefit of this policy is payable weekly, "monthly' if such benefit is payable monthly, etc.) basis. If the numerator of the foregoing ratio is zero or is negative, no benefit shall be payable under this policy. In no event shall this provision (i) operate to reduce the total combined amount of loss-of-time benefits for such month payable under this policy and all other valid loss-of-time coverage below the lesser of $300 and the total combined amount of loss-of-time benefits determined without giving effect to any "overinsurance provision,' nor (ii) operate to increase the amount of benefits payable under this policy above the amount which would have been paid in the absence of this provision, nor (iii) take into account or operate to reduce any benefit other than the loss-of-time benefit.

For purposes of this provision:

(A) "Earned income', except where otherwise specified, means the greater of the monthly earnings of the insured at the time disability commences and his/her average monthly earnings for a period of two years immediately preceding the commencement of such disability and shall not include any investment income or any other income not derived from the insured's vocational activities.

(B) "Overinsurance provision' shall include this provision and any other provision with respect to any loss-of-time coverage which may have the effect of reducing an insurer's liability if the total amount of loss-of-time benefits under all coverage exceeds a stated relationship to the insured's earnings."

(b) The foregoing provision may be included only in a policy which provides a loss-of-time benefit which may be payable for at least 52 weeks, which is issued on the basis of selective underwriting of each individual application, and for which the application includes a question designed to elicit information necessary either to determine the ratio of the total loss-of-time benefits of the insured to the insured's earned income or to determine that such ratio does not exceed the percentage of earnings, not less than 60% selected by the insurer and inserted in lieu of the blank factor above. The insurer may require, as part of the proof of claim, the information necessary to administer this provision. If the application indicates that other loss-of-time coverage is to be discontinued, the amount of such other coverage shall be excluded in computing the alternative percentage in the first sentence of the overinsurance provision. The policy shall include a definition of "valid loss-of-time coverage," approved as to form by the Commissioner, which definition may include coverage provided by governmental agencies and by organizations subject to regulation by insurance law and by insurance authorities of this or any other state of the United States or of any other country or subdivision thereof, coverage provided for such insured pursuant to any disability benefits statute or any workers' compensation or employer's liability statute, benefits provided by labor-management trusteed plans or union welfare plans or by employer or employee benefit organizations, or by salary continuance or pension programs, and any other coverage the inclusion of which may be approved by the Commissioner.

(c) If by application of any of the foregoing provisions the insurer effects a material reduction of benefits otherwise payable under the policy, the insurer shall refund to the insured any premium unearned on the policy by reason of such reduction of coverage, subject to the insurer's right to provide in the policy that no such reduction of benefits or refund will be made unless the unearned premium to be so refunded amounts to $5 or such larger sum as the insurer may so specify.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3322; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3322. Unpaid premiums.

There may be a provision as follows:

"Unpaid Premium: Upon the payment of a claim under this policy, any premium then due and unpaid or covered by any note or written order may be deducted therefrom."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3323; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3323. Conformity with state statutes.

There may be a provision as follows:

"Conformity with State Statutes: Any provision of this policy which, on its effective date is in conflict with the statutes of the state in which the insured resides on such date is hereby amended to conform to the minimum requirements of such statutes."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3324; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3324. Illegal occupation.

There may be a provision as follows:

"Illegal Occupation: The company shall not be liable for any loss to which a contributing cause was the insured's commission of or attempt to commit a felony or to which a contributing cause was the insured's being engaged in an illegal occupation."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3325; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3325. Intoxicants and narcotics.

There may be a provision as follows:

"Intoxicants and Narcotics: The company shall not be liable for any loss sustained or contracted in consequence of the insured's being intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic unless administered on the advice of a physician."

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3326; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3326. Renewability.

Health insurance policies, other than accident insurance only policies, in which the insurer reserves the right to refuse renewal on an individual basis, shall provide in substance in a provision thereof or in an endorsement thereon or rider attached thereto that subject to the right to terminate the policy upon nonpayment of premium when due, such right to refuse renewal may not be exercised so as to take effect before the renewal date occurring on, or after and nearest, each policy anniversary (or in the case of lapse and reinstatement, at the renewal date occurring on, or after and nearest, each anniversary of the last reinstatement), and that any refusal of renewal shall be without prejudice to any claim originating while the policy is in force. (The parenthetic reference to lapse and reinstatement may be omitted at the insurer's option.)

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3327; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3327. Order of certain provisions.

The provisions which are the subject of §§ 3305-3326, inclusive, of this title, or any corresponding provisions which are used in lieu thereof in accordance with such sections shall be printed in the consecutive order of the provisions in such sections or, at the option of the insurer, any such provision may appear as a unit in any part of the policy, with other provisions to which it may be logically related, provided that the resulting policy shall not be in whole or in part unintelligible, uncertain, ambiguous, abstruse, or likely to mislead a person to whom the policy is offered, delivered or issued.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3328; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3328. Third party ownership.

The word "insured," as used in this chapter, shall not be construed as preventing a person other than the insured with a proper insurable interest from making application for and owning a policy covering the insured or from being entitled under such a policy to any indemnities, benefits, and rights provided therein.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3329; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3329. Requirements of other jurisdictions.

(a) Any policy of a foreign or alien insurer, when delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this State, may contain any provision which is not less favorable to the insured or the beneficiary than the provisions of this chapter and which is prescribed or required by the law of the state or country under which the insurer is organized.

(b) Any policy of a domestic insurer may, when issued for delivery in any other state or country, contain any provision permitted or required by the laws of such other state or country.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3330; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3330. Policies issued for delivery in another state.

If any policy is issued by a domestic insurer for delivery to a person residing in another state, and if the insurance commissioner or corresponding public official of such other state has informed the Commissioner that any such policy is not subject to approval or disapproval by such official, the Commissioner may by ruling require that the policy meet the standards set forth in §§ 3303-3329, inclusive, of this title.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3331; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3331. Conforming to statute.

(a) No policy provision which is not subject to this chapter shall make a policy, or any portion thereof, less favorable in any respect to the insured or the beneficiary than the provisions thereof which are subject to this chapter.

(b) A policy delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this State in violation of this chapter shall be held valid but shall be construed as provided in this chapter. When any provision in a policy subject to this chapter is in conflict with any provision of this chapter, the rights, duties, and obligations of the insurer, the insured and the beneficiary shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3332; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3332. Age limit.

If any such policy contains a provision establishing, as an age limit or otherwise, a date after which the coverage provided by the policy will not be effective, and if such date falls within a period for which premium is accepted by the insurer or if the insurer accepts a premium after such date, the coverage provided by the policy will continue in force until the end of the period for which the premium has been accepted. In the event the age of the insured has been misstated and if, according to the correct age of the insured, the coverage provided by the policy would not have become effective, or would have ceased prior to the acceptance of such premium or premiums, then the liability of the insurer shall be limited to the refund, upon request, of all premiums paid for the period not covered by the policy.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3333; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3333. Filing of rates.

Each insurer issuing health insurance policies for delivery in this State shall, before use thereof, file with the Commissioner its premium rates and classification of risks pertaining to such policies. The insurer shall adhere to its rates and classifications as filed with the Commissioner. The insurer may change such filings from time to time as it deems proper. The filing of rates shall be made pursuant to and under the requirements of Chapter 25 of this title.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3334; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 60 Del. Laws, c. 388, § 3.;

§ 3334. Franchise health insurance law.

Health insurance on a franchise plan is hereby declared to be that form of health insurance issued to:

(1) Three or more employees of any corporation, copartnership, or individual employer or any governmental corporation, agency or department thereof; or

(2) Ten or more members, employees or employees of members of any trade or professional association or of a labor union or of any other association having had an active existence for at least 2 years where such association or union has a constitution or bylaws and is formed in good faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance;

where such persons with or without their dependents are issued the same form of an individual policy varying only as to amounts and kinds of coverage applied for by such persons under an arrangement whereby the premiums on such policies may be paid to the insurer periodically by the employer, with or without payroll deductions, or by the association or union for its members, or by some designated person acting on behalf of such employer or association or union. The term "employees" as used herein may be deemed to include the officers, managers and employees and retired employees of the employer and the individual proprietor or partners if the employer is an individual proprietor or partnership.

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3335; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1.;

§ 3335. Newborn children.

(a) All individual and group health insurance policies providing coverage on an expense-incurred basis, and individual and group service or indemnity-type contracts issued by a nonprofit corporation, which provide coverage for a family member of the insured or subscriber, shall, as to such family members' coverage, also provide that the health insurance benefits applicable for children shall be payable with respect to a newly born child of the insured or subscriber from the moment of birth.

(b) The coverage for newly born children shall consist of coverage for injury or sickness, including the necessary care and treatment of medically diagnosed congenital defects and birth abnormalities as well as routine care furnished any infant from the moment of birth.

(c) If payment of a specific premium or subscription fee is required to provide coverage for a child, the policy or contract may require that notification of the birth of a newly born child, and payment of the required premium or fees, must be furnished to the insurer or nonprofit service or indemnity corporation within 31 days after the date of birth in order to have the coverage continued beyond such 31 day period.

59 Del. Laws, c. 529, § 1.;

§ 3336. Midwife services reimbursement.

(a) This section shall apply to every individual policy, contract or certificate issued thereunder, of health or sickness or accident insurance delivered or issued for delivery within the State which meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section.

(b) This section shall apply to all such policies, contracts, certificates or programs issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or reissued on or after September 9, 1988.

(c) This section shall apply to all private and public programs for health services and facilities reimbursement, including but not limited to any such reimbursement programs operated by the State.

(d) Whenever an insurance policy, contract or certificate or health services reimbursement program provides for reimbursement for any health care service which is within those areas of practice for which a midwife may be licensed pursuant to § 122 of Title 16 or pursuant to statute in the state where the service is delivered, or for the cost of birthing facilities, the insured or any other person covered by the policy, contract or certificate, or health services or facilities reimbursement program shall be entitled to reimbursement for such service or use of the facilities performed by a duly licensed certified nurse midwife practicing within those areas for which the certified nurse midwife is licensed in the state where the licensed certified nurse midwife is practicing. Whenever such service is performed by a licensed certified nurse midwife and reimbursed by a professional health services plan corporation, the licensed certified nurse midwife shall be granted such rights of participation, plan admission and registration as may be granted by the professional health services plan corporation, to a physician or osteopath performing such a service. When payment is made for health care services performed by a licensed certified nurse midwife, no payment or reimbursement shall be payable to a physician or osteopath for the services performed by the licensed certified nurse midwife.

(e) For the purposes of this section, "midwifery" shall only include those having the following qualifications:

(1) Age of 21 years or older;

(2) Licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State;

(3) Possesses a valid certification by the American College of Nurse Midwives;

(4) Submits a sworn statement that he/she has not been convicted of a felony; been professionally penalized or convicted of substance addiction; had a professional nursing license suspended or revoked in this or another state; been professionally penalized or convicted of fraud; is physically and mentally capable of engaging in the practice of midwifery; and

(5) Has formed an alliance which is defined as a relationship between a midwife and a physician(s) licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in Delaware whereby medical consultation and referral, available on a 24-hour basis, is agreed upon in writing, signed by both parties, and filed with the Department of Health and Social Services.

66 Del. Laws, c. 331, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 149, § 203.;

§ 3337. Lead poisoning screening reimbursement.

All individual health insurance policies which are delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any health insurer, health service corporation, health maintenance organization or any health services and facilities reimbursement program operated by the State and which provide a benefit for outpatient services shall also provide a benefit for a baseline lead poisoning screening test for children at or around 12 months of age. Benefits shall also be provided for lead poisoning screening and diagnostic evaluations for children under the age of 6 years who are at high risk for lead poisoning in accordance with guidelines and criteria set forth by the Division of Public Health. Such testing shall be deemed to be a covered service, notwithstanding any policy exclusions for services which are part of or related to annual or routine examinations. Nothing in this section shall prevent the operation of such policy provisions as deductibles, coinsurance allowable charge limitations, coordination of benefits or provisions restricting coverage to services rendered by licensed, certified or carrier-approved providers or facilities. Nothing in this section shall apply to accident-only, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, long-term care or other limited health insurance policies.

This section shall apply to all policies, contracts, certificates or programs issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or reissued on or after March 1, 1995.

69 Del. Laws, c. 310, § 2.;

§ 3338. Coverage of cancer monitoring test.

(a) Every individual health, sickness or accident insurance policy, contract or certificate, which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any health insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization, and which provide benefits for outpatient services, shall provide to covered persons residing in this State a benefit for CA-125 monitoring of ovarian cancer subsequent to treatment. Such monitoring shall be deemed a covered service, notwithstanding any policy exclusions for services which are considered experimental or investigative; provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to provide coverage for routine screening.

(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent the operation of such policy provisions as deductibles, coinsurance, allowable charge limitations, coordination of benefits or provisions restricting coverage to services by licensed, certified or carrier-approved providers or facilities.

(c) This act shall apply to all policies, contracts or certificates which are issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or reissued after September 1, 1994.

69 Del. Laws, c. 405, § 1.;

§ 3339. Refusal to contract.

(a) An insurer shall not refuse to contract with or compensate for covered services a participating or contracting healthcare provider solely because that provider has in good faith communicated with 1 or more of the provider's current, former or prospective patients regarding the provisions, terms or requirements of the insurer's products or services as they relate to the needs of that provider's patients.

(b) An insurer that proposes to terminate or not renew a contract with a professional health care provider shall give a minimum of 60 days written notice thereof to the provider prior to the effective date of the termination of the contract. This notice shall include a statement of the provider's right to request a written explanation and to request an internal administrative review within 20 days. For purposes of this section, "provider" shall mean a health care professional licensed pursuant to Title 24.

(c) Upon the request of a provider who has received notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, an insurer shall provide written explanation by certified or registered mail of the reasons for the proposed termination or nonrenewal (unless such explanation has already been provided), and an opportunity for an internal administrative review of the decision to terminate. The provider's request for written explanation and administrative review must be made within 20 days after receipt of the insurer's notice of termination or nonrenewal. The insurer shall provide the written explanation and administrative review not less than 20 days after receipt of the provider's request for same.

(d) A provider who reasonably believes than an insurer's decision to terminate or not renew a contract was solely based on reasons prohibited pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may request that this concern be addressed in the written explanation and administrative review provided by the insurer. Upon request, such a provider shall submit to the insurer a list of the insurer's enrollees with whom the provider has communicated and upon whom the provider relies to support his/her belief and a statement of the nature of the information provided to each enrollee that is protected by this section.

(e) If an insurer collects and maintains professional profiling data and the written explanation provided pursuant to subsection (c) of this section states that the insurer used such data to evaluate the performance or practice of the provider, this data shall be provided to the provider and be discussed during the administrative review pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Data provided by an insurer pursuant to this section shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed by a provider or an insurer to third parties without the consent of the other party, except such data may be disclosed to a party's attorney or as otherwise required by law.

(f) This section shall not apply to a decision by an insurer to terminate or renew a provider's contract because of breach of contract, loss of professional liability insurance, indictment or arrest or conviction for a felony or crime of moral turpitude, final internal disciplinary action (excluding judicial appeals) by a hospital, licensing board or other governmental agency that impairs the provider's ability to practice or clinical privileges, failure to meet the minimum requirements for participation in the insurer's plan, as previously disclosed to the provider, adjudication of fraud or in cases involving imminent harm to patient care.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an insurer from terminating or not renewing a provider's contract with or without cause for economic reasons or any other reason not prohibited by subsection (a) of this section, but a written explanation of the reasons for the proposed termination or nonrenewal must be provided pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

(h) This section shall not be deemed to create a private cause of action as a result of an insurer's termination or nonrenewal of a provider's contract. This subsection shall not abrogate any cause of action or remedy to which a provider may have a right pursuant to contract.

(i) Any insurer who violates the provisions of this section may be subject to the administrative orders and penalties imposable for a violation of Chapter 23 of this title as specified in § 2308(a)(1) and (a)(2) of Title 18.

(j) Providers, insurers and their respective employees, agents, attorneys and other representatives who have acted in good faith while participating in the written explanation or administrative review provided pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, shall have immunity and shall not be held liable as a result of any such participation in a case alleging slander, libel, defamation or in any other private cause of action. Such persons shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in the absence of evidence of malice or willful misconduct.

70 Del. Laws, c. 537, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 370, § 1.;

§ 3340. Child abuse or neglect -- Individual coverage.

No individual policy or contract, or certificate issued thereunder, of health insurance which provides medical coverage for a child and which (1) covers a child who resides in this State, or (2) is delivered or issued for delivery within the State, shall limit medical insurance coverage for any child referred by the Division of Family Services or law enforcement agency for suspected child abuse or neglect, including requiring referral by a primary physician.

71 Del. Laws, c. 199, § 16.;

§ 3341. Newborns and mothers health protection.

A carrier offering a health benefit plan shall comply with the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-51 and any subsequent changes in federal law.

71 Del. Laws, c. 143, § 16.;

§ 3342. Obstetrical and gynecological coverage.

(a) This section applies to every individual policy or contract of health insurance, or certificate issued thereunder, which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State that requires an insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber, or beneficiary to designate a participating primary care provider.

(b) Any such policy or contract shall permit each female enrolled insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber or beneficiary to designate a participating, in-network, obstetrician-gynecologist as the enrollee's primary care provider if: (i) the obstetrician-gynecologist meets the standards established by the insurance plan for primary care providers; (ii) the obstetrician-gynecologist requests that the insurer makes the obstetrician-gynecologist available for designation as a primary care provider; (iii) the obstetrician-gynecologist agrees to accept the payment terms applicable under the plan to primary care providers for services other than obstetrician-gynecological services; and (iv) the obstetrician-gynecologist agrees to abide by all other terms and conditions applicable to primary care physicians under the plan generally.

(c) If a female enrolled insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber or beneficiary has designated a primary care provider who is not an obstetrician-gynecologist, then the policy or contract shall not require as a condition to the coverage of the services of a participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist that a female enrollee first obtain a referral from another primary care physician, and shall permit the female enrolled insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber or beneficiary to have direct access to the health care services of an in-network obstetrician-gynecologist participating in the plan, within the benefits provided under that plan. In such cases the obstetrician-gynecologist shall consult with the primary care physician with respect to the care given and any follow-up care, and the plan may require a visit to the primary care physician, if necessary, before the patient may be directed to another specialty provider, or for inpatient hospitalization or outpatient surgical procedures.

(d) For purposes of this section, "health care services" means the full scope of medically necessary services provided by the participating obstetrician-gynecologist within the benefits provided under that plan.

(e) This section shall not be construed to require an individual obstetrician-gynecologist to accept primary care physician status if the obstetrician-gynecologist does not wish to be designated as a primary care physician, nor to interfere with the credentialing and other selection criteria usually applied by a health benefit plan with respect to other physicians within its network.

(f) Any such policy or contract may not impose a copayment, coinsurance requirement, or deductible for directly accessed obstetric and gynecologic services as required in this section, unless such additional cost sharing is imposed for access to health care practitioners for other types of health care services.

(g) If a policy or contract limits an insured's access to a network of participating providers for other health care services, then it may limit access for obstetric and gynecologic services, but the policy or contract shall include in all its provider networks sufficient numbers of obstetrician-gynecologists to accommodate the direct access needs of their female enrollees.

(h) Each such policy or contract shall provide notice to female enrolled participants, policyholders, subscribers and beneficiaries regarding the coverage required by this chapter. The notice shall be in writing, printed in type not less than 8-point, and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence, including benefit handbooks and enrollment materials. Policies or contracts shall include an explanation of any voluntary process of preauthorization of services available to female enrollees and obstetrician-gynecologists. The enrollee handbook explanation shall include information regarding any limitation to direct access, including, but not limited to, a closed network of providers, or any limitation on access to an obstetrician-gynecologist based on a female's choice of primary care provider.

71 Del. Laws, c. 178, § 1.;

§ 3343. Insurance coverage for serious mental illness.

(a) Definitions. -- For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Carrier" means any entity that provides health insurance in this State. For the purposes of this section, carrier includes an insurance company, health service corporation, health maintenance organization and any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits subject to state insurance regulation. "Carrier" also includes any 3rd-party administrator or other entity that adjusts, administers or settles claims in connection with health benefit plans.

(2) "Health benefit plan" means any hospital or medical policy or certificate, major medical expense insurance, health service corporation subscriber contract or health maintenance organization subscriber contract. Health benefit plan does not include accident-only, credit, dental, vision, Medicaid plans, long-term care or disability income insurance, coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance, worker's compensation or similar insurance or automobile medical payment insurance.

"Health benefit plan" shall not include policies or certificates of specified disease, hospital confinement indemnity or limited benefit health insurance, provided that the carrier offering such policies or certificates complies with the following:

a. The carrier files on or before March 1 of each year a certification with the Commissioner that contains the statement and information described in subparagraph b. of this paragraph.

b. The certification required in subparagraph a. of this paragraph shall contain the following:

1. A statement from the carrier certifying that policies or certificates described in this paragraph are being offered and marketed as supplemental health insurance and not as a substitute for hospital or medical expense insurance or major medical expense insurance.

2. A summary description of each policy or certificate described in this paragraph, including the average annual premium rates (or range of premium rates in cases where premiums vary by age, gender or other factors) charged for such policies and certificates in this State.

c. In the case of a policy or certificate that is described in this paragraph and that is offered for the first time in this State on or after January 1, 1999, the carrier files with the Commissioner the information and statement required in subparagraph b. of this paragraph at least 30 days prior to the date such a policy or certificate is issued or delivered in this State.

(3) "Serious mental illness" means any of the following biologically based mental illnesses: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, schizo affective disorder and delusional disorder. The diagnostic criteria set out in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders shall be utilized to determine whether a beneficiary of a health benefit plan is suffering from a serious mental illness.

(b) Coverage of serious mental illnesses and drug and alcohol dependencies. -- Carriers shall provide coverage for serious mental illnesses and drug and alcohol dependencies in all health benefit plans delivered or issued for delivery in this State. Subject to subsections (a) and (c) through (h) of this section, no carrier may issue for delivery, or deliver, in this State any health benefit plan containing terms that place a greater financial burden on an insured for covered services provided in the diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency than for covered services provided in the diagnosis and treatment of any other illness or disease covered by the health benefit plan. By way of example, such terms include deductibles, co-pays, monetary limits, co-insurance factors, limits in the numbers of visits, limits in the length of inpatient stays, durational limits or limits in the coverage of prescription medicines.

(c) Eligibility for coverage. -- A health benefit plan may condition coverage of services provided in the diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency on the further requirements that the service(s):

(1) Must be rendered by a mental health professional licensed or certified by the State Board of Licensing including, but not limited to, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other such mental health professionals, or a drug and alcohol counselor who has been certified by the Delaware Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors Certification Board or in a mental health facility licensed by the State or in a treatment facility approved by the Department of Health and Social Services or the Bureau of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse as set forth in Chapter 22 of Title 16 or substantially similar licensing entities in other states;

(2) Must be medically necessary; and

(3) Must be covered services subject to any administrative requirements of the health benefit plan.

A health benefit plan may further condition coverage of services provided in the diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency in the same manner and to the same extent as coverage for all other illnesses and diseases is conditioned. Such conditions may include, by way of example, and not by way of limitation, precertification and referral requirements.

(d) Benefit management. -- A carrier may, directly or by contract with another qualified entity, manage the benefit prescribed by subsection (b) of this section in order to limit coverage of services provided in the diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency to those services that are deemed medically necessary. The management of benefits for serious mental illnesses and drug and alcohol dependencies may be by methods used for the management of benefits provided for other medical conditions, or may be by management methods unique to mental health benefits. Such may include, by way of example and not limitation; pre-admission screening, prior authorization of services, utilization review and the development and monitoring of treatment plans.

This section shall not be interpreted to require a carrier to employ the same benefit management procedures for serious mental illnesses and drug and alcohol dependencies that are employed for the management of other illnesses or diseases covered by the health benefit plan or to require parity or equivalence in the rate, or dollar value of, claims denied.

(e) Exclusions. -- This section shall not apply to plans or policies not within the definition of health benefit plan, as set out in subsection (a)(2) of this section.

(f) Out of network services. -- Where a health benefit plan provides benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental illnesses and drug and alcohol dependencies within a network of providers and where a beneficiary of the health benefit plan obtains services consisting of diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency outside of the network of providers, this section shall not apply. The health benefit plan may contain terms and conditions applicable to out of network services without reference to this section.

71 Del. Laws, c. 275, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 199, §§ 1-4, 11; 74 Del. Laws, c. 157, § 1.;

§ 3344. Insurance coverage for diabetes.

(a) Every individual or group hospital service corporation contract, individual or group medical service corporation contract, individual or group health service corporation contract, individual health insurance policy, group health insurance policy and contract for health care services that provides hospital services, outpatient services or medical expense benefits, provides coverage for prescription drugs; and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to Title 18 or is approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Insurance Commissioner shall provide benefits to any subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred for the following equipment and supplies for the treatment of diabetes, if recommended in writing or prescribed by a physician: insulin pumps, blood glucose meters and strips, urine testing strips, insulin, syringes, and pharmacological agents for controlling blood sugar.

(b) The benefits required by this section shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the contract.

(c) This section shall apply to all hospital service corporation contracts in which the hospital service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.

(d) The Insurance Commissioner may promulgate and periodically update a list of additional diabetes equipment and related supplies that are medically necessary for the treatment of diabetes and for which benefits shall be provided according to the provisions of this section.

(e) This section shall apply to all contracts and policies issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or reissued 90 days and thereafter from the date of enactment.

(f) Nothing in this section shall apply to accident-only, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement long-term care, disability income or other limited benefit health insurance policies.

72 Del. Laws, c. 376, § 2.;

§ 3345. Annual pap smear coverage reimbursement.

All individual health insurance policies which are delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any health insurer, health service corporation, health maintenance organization or any health services and facilities reimbursement program operated by the State and which provide a benefit for outpatient services shall also provide a benefit for an annual benefit for one cervical cancer screening, known as a "pap smear," for all females aged 18 and over.

This section shall apply to all policies, contracts, certificates or programs issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or reissued on or after January 1, 2001.

72 Del. Laws, c. 408, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 61, § 1.;

§ 3346. Colorectal cancer screening.

(a) Every individual health, sickness or accident insurance policy contract or certificate which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any health insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization shall provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening under any such policy, contract or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2001. The terms "health, sickness or accident insurance policy contract or certificate" shall not include, unless specifically provided in the policy, the following types of insurance or combination thereof: accident only, fixed or hospital confinement indemnity, limited benefit, credit, vision, specified disease, Medicare supplement, Champus supplement, long-term care, disability income workers compensation or automobile medical payment.

(b) Colorectal cancer screening covered by this section shall include:

(1) For persons 50 years of age or older screening with an annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, or in appropriate circumstances radiologic imaging or other screening modalities, shall be provided as determined by the Secretary of Health and Social Services of this State after consideration of recommendations of the Delaware Cancer Consortium and the most recently published recommendations established by the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Cancer Society, the United States Preventive Task Force Services, for the ages, family histories and frequencies referenced in such recommendations and deemed appropriate by the attending physician.

(2) For persons who are deemed at high risk for colon cancer because of:

a. Family history of familial adenomatous polyposis;

b. Family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer;

c. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease;

d. Family history of breast, ovarian, endometrial or colon cancer or polyps; or

e. A background, ethnicity or lifestyle such that the health care provider treating the participant or beneficiary believes that person is at elevated risk;

screening with an annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, or in appropriate circumstances radiologic imaging or other screening modalities, shall be provided as determined by the Secretary of Health and Social Services of this State after consideration of recommendations of the Delaware Cancer Consortium and the most recently published recommendations established by the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Cancer Society, the United States Preventive Task Force Services for the ages, family histories and frequencies referenced in such recommendations and deemed appropriate by the attending physician.

(3) For all persons covered pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, colorectal cancer screening shall include the use of anesthetic agents, including general anesthesia, in connection with colonoscopies and endoscopies performed in accordance with generally-accepted standards of medical practice and all applicable patient safety laws and regulations, if the use of such anesthetic agents is medically necessary in the judgment of the treating physician.

72 Del. Laws, c. 416, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 338, §§ 1, 2; 76 Del. Laws, c. 406, § 1.;

§ 3347. Required coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies.

(a) All individual health insurance policies, contracts or certificates that are delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any health insurer, health service corporation or managed care organization which provide medical and surgical benefits with respect to a mastectomy shall provide, in a case of an insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber, and beneficiary who is receiving benefits in connection with such mastectomy, in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient, coverage for:

(1) All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed;

(2) Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and

(3) Prostheses and physical complications of mastectomy, including lymphedemas.

Such coverage may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance provisions as may be deemed appropriate and as are consistent with those established for other benefits under the plan of coverage. Written notice of the availability of such coverage shall be delivered to the insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary upon enrollment and annually thereafter.

(b) All individual health benefit plans shall provide notice to each insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance herewith. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence made available or distributed by the plan and shall be transmitted:

(1) In the next mailing made by the plan to the insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary;

(2) As part of any yearly informational packet sent to the insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary; or

(3) Not later than June 30, 2001, whichever is earliest.

(c) An individual health benefit plan may not deny to a patient eligibility or continued eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this section, and may not penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of an attending provider, or provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to an attending provider, or induce such provider to provide care to an individual insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this section.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a health benefit plan from negotiating the level and type of reimbursement with a provider for care provided in accordance with this section.

73 Del. Laws, c. 89, § 2.;

§ 3348. Referrals.

(a) This section applies to every policy or contract of health insurance which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, and which designates network physicians or providers or preferred physicians or providers (hereinafter referred to collectively as "network providers"). In such circumstances, the non-network provider may not balance bill the insured.

(b) All individual and group health insurance policies shall provide that if medically necessary covered services are not available through network providers, or the network providers are not available within a reasonable period of time, the insurer, on the request of a network provider, within a reasonable period, shall allow referral to a non-network physician or provider and shall reimburse the non-network physician or provider at a previously agreed-upon or negotiated rate. In such circumstances, the non-network physician or provider may not balance bill the insured. Such a referral shall not be refused by the insurer absent a decision by a physician in the same or a similar specialty as the physician to whom a referral is sought that the referral is not reasonably related to the provision of medically necessary services.

(c) All individual and group health insurance policies which do not allow insureds to have direct access to health care specialists shall establish and implement a procedure by which insureds can obtain a standing referral to a health care specialist.

(d) The procedure established under subsection (c) of this section:

(1) Shall provide for a standing referral to a specialist if the insured's network provider determines that the insured needs continuing care from the specialist; and

(2) May require the insurer's approval of an initial treatment plan designed by the specialist containing (i) a limit on the number of visits to the specialist, (ii) a time limit on the duration of the referral, and (iii) mandatory updates on the insured's condition. Such approval shall not be withheld absent a decision by a qualified physician that the treatment sought in the treatment plan is not reasonably related to the appropriate treatment of the insured's condition.

Within the treatment period referred to in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the specialist shall be permitted to treat the insured without a further referral from the insured's network provider and may authorize such further referrals, procedures, tests and other medical services as the individual's network provider would otherwise be permitted to provide or authorize, provided that such further referrals, procedures, tests and other medical services are part of treating the patient for the condition for which the patient was referred to the specialist. Referrals, procedures, tests, and other medical services referred to in this subsection shall be provided by network providers unless such services are not available through network providers, or the network providers are not available within a reasonable period of time. If services are not available through network providers, or the network providers are not available within a reasonable period of time, the out-of-network provider shall be reimbursed at an agreed-upon or negotiated rate. In such circumstances, the non-network provider may not balance bill the insured.

(e) Nothing in this section shall prevent the operation of policy provisions involving deductibles or copayments.

73 Del. Laws, c. 96, § 5; 73 Del. Laws, c. 315, §§ 1, 7.;

§ 3349. Emergency care.

(a) This section applies to every policy or contract of health insurance, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State, and which designates network physicians or providers or preferred physicians or providers (hereinafter referred to collectively as "network providers"). However, this section applies only to conditions for which coverage is provided by those policies or contracts.

(b) All individual and group health insurance policies shall provide that persons covered under those policies will be insured for emergency care services performed by nonnetwork providers at an agreed-upon or negotiated rate, regardless of whether the physician or provider furnishing the services has a contractual or other arrangement with the insurer to provide items or services to persons covered under the policies. In the event that the provider of emergency services and the insurer cannot agree upon the appropriate rate, the provider shall be entitled to those charges and rates allowed by the Insurance Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee following an arbitration of the dispute. The Insurance Commissioner shall adopt regulations concerning the arbitration of such disputes.

(c) Plans described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall cover:

(1) Any medical screening examination or other evaluation medically required to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists;

(2) Necessary emergency care services, including treatment and stabilization of an emergency medical condition; and

(3) Services originated in a hospital emergency facility or comparable facility following treatment or stabilization of an emergency medical condition as approved by the insurer with respect to services performed by non-network providers, provided that the insurer is required to approve or disapprove coverage of poststabilization care as requested by a treating physician or provider within the time appropriate to the circumstances relating to the delivery of services and the condition of the patient, but in no case to exceed 1 hour from the time of the request.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the operation of policy provisions involving deductibles or copayments. As used in this section "emergency medical condition" means a medical or behavioral condition the onset of which is sudden, that manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity, including, but not limited to, severe pain, that a prudent layperson, possessing an average knowledge of medicine and health, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in:

(1) Placing the health of the person afflicted with such condition in serious jeopardy, or in the case of a behavioral condition, placing the health of such person or others in serious jeopardy;

(2) Serious impairment to such person's bodily functions;

(3) Serious impairment or dysfunction of any bodily organ or part of such person; or

(4) Serious disfigurement of such person.

(e) This section shall not apply to services provided by a volunteer fire department recognized as such by the State Fire Prevention Commission.

(f) The Insurance Commissioner shall establish a schedule of fees for arbitration. The nonprevailing party at arbitration shall reimburse the Commissioner for the expenses related to the arbitration process. Funds paid to the Insurance Commissioner under this subsection shall be placed in the arbitration fund and shall be used exclusively for the payment of appointed arbitrators. The Insurance Commissioner may, in the Commissioner's discretion, impose a schedule of maximum fees that can be charged by an arbitrator for a given type of arbitration.

73 Del. Laws, c. 96, § 6; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 315, §§ 2, 11.;

§ 3350. Prescription medication.

(a) This section applies to every policy or contract of health insurance, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State and which provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.

(b) Every policy or contract of health insurance described in subsection (a) of this section shall provide coverage for any outpatient drug prescribed to treat a covered person for a covered chronic, disabling or life-threatening illness if the drug:

(1) Has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for at least 1 indication; and

(2) Is recognized for treatment of the indication for which the drug is prescribed in:

a. A prescription drug reference compendium approved by the Insurance Commissioner for purposes of this section; or

b. Substantially accepted peer reviewed medical literature.

(c) Coverage of a drug required by this section shall include coverage of medically necessary services associated with administration of the drug.

(d) This section does not require coverage for:

(1) Medication that may be obtained without a physician's prescription;

(2) Experimental drugs not otherwise approved for the proposed use or indication by the Food and Drug Administration; or

(3) Any disease, condition, service or treatment that is excluded from coverage under the policy.

(e) Nothing in this section shall prevent the operation of policy provisions involving deductibles, coinsurance, allowable charge limitations, maximum dollar policy limitations or coordination of benefits.

73 Del. Laws, c. 96, § 7; 73 Del. Laws, c. 315, § 4.;

§ 3351. Clinical trials.

(a) This section applies to every policy or contract of health insurance, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, which is delivered or issued for delivery in this State.

(b) Definitions. --

(1) "Routine patient care costs," as used in this section, include all items and services that are otherwise generally available to a qualified individual that are provided in the clinical trial except:

a. The investigational items or service itself;

b. Items and services provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis needs and that are not used in the direct clinical management of the patients; and

c. Items and services customarily provided by the research sponsors free of charge for any enrollee in the trial.

(2) "Clinical trials," for purposes of this section, include clinical trials that are approved or funded by use of the following entities:

a. One of the National Institutes of Health (NIH);

b. An NIH cooperative group or center which is a formal network of facilities that collaborate on research projects and have an established NIH-approval peer review program operating within the group, including, but not limited to, the NCI Clinical Cooperative Group and the NCI Community Clinical Oncology Program;

c. The federal Departments of Veterans' Affairs or Defense;

d. An institutional review board of an institution in this State that has a multiple project assurance contract approval by the Office of Protection for the Research Risks of the NIH; and

e. A qualified research entity that meets the criteria for NIH Center Support grant eligibility.

(3) Any clinical trial receiving coverage for routine costs under this section must meet the following requirements:

a. The subject or purpose of the trial must be the evaluation of an item or service that falls within the covered benefits of the policy and is not specifically excluded from coverage.

b. The trial must not be designed exclusively to test toxicity or disease pathophysiology.

c. The trial must have therapeutic intent.

d. Trials of therapeutic interventions must enroll patients with diagnosed disease.

e. The principal purpose of the trial is to test whether the intervention potentially improves the participant's health outcomes.

f. The trial is well supported by available scientific and medical information or it is intended to clarify or establish the health outcomes of interventions already in common clinical use.

g. The trial does not unjustifiably duplicate existing studies.

h. The trial is in compliance with federal regulations relating to the protection of human subjects.

(c) Every policy described in subsection (a) of this section, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, shall provide coverage for routine patient care costs as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for covered persons engaging in clinical trials for treatment of life threatening diseases. Nothing in this section, however, independently requires coverage for expense of such clinical trials which are otherwise not covered under the policy or contract.

73 Del. Laws, c. 315, § 9.;

§ 3352. Newborn and infant hearing screening; coverage and reimbursement.

(a) Any individual health insurance policy which is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, extended, or modified in this State by any health care insurer and which provides coverage for a child shall be deemed to provide coverage for hearing loss screening tests of newborns and infants provided by a hospital before discharge.

(b) The amount of reimbursement for newborn or infant hearing screening provided under such a policy shall be consistent with reimbursement of other medical expenses under the policy, including the imposition of co-payment, coinsurance, deductible, or any dollar limit or other cost-sharing provisions otherwise applicable under the policy.

75 Del. Laws, c. 116, § 2.;

§ 3353. Use of social security numbers on insurance cards.

(a) As used in this section, "insurance card" means a card that a person or entity provides to an individual so that the individual may present the card to establish the eligibility of the individual or the individual's dependents to receive health, dental, optical, or accident insurance benefits, prescription drug benefits, or benefits under a managed care plan or a plan provided by a health maintenance organization, a health services plan corporation, or a similar entity.

(b) No person or entity which provides an insurance card shall use an individual's social security number as the identification number on that insurance card.

75 Del. Laws, c. 179, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3354. Supplemental coverage for children of insureds.

(a) Definitions. -- As used in this section:

(1) "Carrier" means any entity that provides health insurance in this State. For the purposes of this section, "carrier" includes an insurance company, health service corporation, health maintenance organization, and any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits subject to state insurance regulation. "Carrier" also includes any thirdparty administrator or other entity that adjusts, administers, or settles claims in connection with health benefit plans.

(2) "Covered person" means a person who claims to be entitled to receive benefits from a carrier.

(3) "Dependent" means a covered person's child by blood or by law who:

a. Is less than 24 years of age;

b. Is unmarried;

c. Has no dependents of that child's own;

d. Is a resident of Delaware or is enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited public or private institution of higher education; and

e. Is not actually provided coverage as a named subscriber, insured, enrollee, or covered person under any other group or individual health benefits plan, group health plan, or church plan, or entitled to benefits under 42 U.S.C. § 1395 et seq.

(b) If a carrier's contract with a subscriber provides coverage for a covered person's dependent under which coverage of the dependent terminates at a specific age before the dependent's twenty-fourth birthday, the contract must nevertheless provide coverage to the dependent after that specific age until the dependent's twenty-fourth birthday.

(c) Subsection (b) of this section may not be construed to require:

(1) Coverage for services provided to a dependent prior to the effective date of this section;

(2) That an employer pay all or part of the cost of coverage for a dependent as provided pursuant to this section; or

(3) Coverage for services rendered prior to a dependent's election pursuant to subsection (e) of this section and payment of premium required under subsection (g) of this section.

(d) A dependent covered by a covered person's contract, where coverage under the contract's language would terminate at a specific age before the dependent's twenty-fourth birthday, may make a written election for coverage as a dependent pursuant to this section, until the dependent's twenty-fourth birthday. The election must be made:

(1) Within 30 days prior to the termination of coverage at the specific age provided in the contract's language;

(2) Within 30 days after meeting the requirements for dependent status as set forth in subsection (a) of this section, when coverage for the dependent under the contract's language had previously terminated; or

(3) During an open enrollment period, as provided pursuant to the contract, if the dependent meets the requirements for dependent status as set forth in subsection (a) of this section during the open enrollment period.

Coverage for a dependent who makes a written election for coverage may not be conditioned upon or discriminate on the basis of lack of evidence of insurability.

(e) Notwithstanding the time limitations imposed by subsection (d) of this section, for 12 months after the effective date of this section, a dependent who qualifies for dependent status as set forth in subsection (a) of this section, but whose coverage as a dependent under a covered person's contract terminated under the terms of the contract prior to the effective date of this section, may make a written election to reinstate coverage under that contract as a dependent pursuant to this section.

(f) Coverage for a dependent who makes a written election for coverage pursuant to subsection (d) of this section consists of coverage which is identical to the coverage that would have been provided to that dependent had that dependent not been terminated from the contract due to the dependent's age.

(g) A covered person's contract may require payment of a premium by the covered person or dependent, subject to any approvals required by Delaware law, for any period of coverage relating to a dependent's written election for coverage pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The payment may not exceed 102% of the applicable portion of the premium previously paid for that dependent's coverage under the contract prior to the termination of coverage at the specific age provided in the contract.

(h) The applicable portion of the premium previously paid for a dependent's coverage under subsection (g) of this section is determined pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Department of Insurance, based upon the difference between the contract's rating tiers for adult and dependent coverage or family coverage, as appropriate, and single coverage, or based upon any other formula or dependent rating tier which provides a substantially similar result and is considered appropriate by the Department of Insurance.

(i) Coverage for a dependent provided pursuant to this section must be provided until the earlier of the following:

(1) The dependent is no longer a dependent as defined in subsection (a) of this section;

(2) The date on which coverage ceases under the contract by reason of a failure to make a timely payment of any premium required under the contract by the covered person or dependent for coverage provided pursuant to this section. The payment of any premium is considered to be timely if made within 30 days after the due date or within a longer period as provided for by the contract; or

(3) The date upon which the employer under whose contract coverage is provided to a dependent ceases to provide coverage to the covered person.

(j) Prominent notice regarding coverage for a dependent as provided pursuant to this section must be provided to a covered person by the carrier:

(1) In the certificate of coverage prepared for covered persons by the carrier on or about the date of commencement of coverage; and

(2) Upon each renewal, but at least once annually; and

(3) Within 30 days following the effective date of this section.

75 Del. Laws, c. 419, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 3355. Phenylketonuria (PKU) and other inherited metabolic diseases.

(a) Definitions. -- In this section the following words shall have the meanings indicated:

(1) "Inherited metabolic diseases" shall mean diseases caused by an inherited abnormality of biochemistry. The words "inherited metabolic diseases" shall also include any diseases for which the State screens newborn babies.

(2)a. "Low protein modified formula or food product" means a formula or food product that is:

1. Specially formulated to have less than 1 gram of protein per serving; and

2. Intended to be used under the direction of a physician for the dietary treatment of an inherited metabolic disease.

b. "Low protein modified food product" does not include a natural food that is naturally low in protein.

(3) "Medical formula or food" means a formula or food that is:

a. Intended for the dietary treatment of an inherited metabolic disease for which nutritional requirements and restrictions have been established by medical research; and

b. Formulated to be consumed or administrated enterally under the direction of a physician.

(b) Application of this section. -- The provisions of this section shall apply to any health insurance contract that:

(1) Provides coverage for a family member of the insured;

(2) Is delivered or issued for delivery in the State.

(c) A health insurance contract shall, under the family member coverage, include coverage for medical formulas and foods and low protein modified formulas and modified food products for the treatment of inherited metabolic diseases, if such medical formulas and foods or low protein modified formulas and food products are:

(1) Prescribed as medically necessary for the therapeutic treatment of inherited metabolic diseases, and

(2) Administered under the direction of a physician.

76 Del. Laws, c. 176, § 1.;

§ 3356. Required coverage for scalp hair prosthesis.

(a) Every individual health insurance policy, contract or certificate that is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by any health insurer, health service corporation or managed care organization which provide for medical or hospital expenses and also provide coverage for other prostheses, shall provide coverage for expenses for a scalp hair prosthesis worn for hair loss suffered as a result of alopecia areata, resulting from an autoimmune disease. Such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and guidelines as other prostheses, provided that such coverage for alopecia areata shall not exceed $500 per year.

(b) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Prostheses" means artificial appliances used to replace lost natural structures. Prostheses include, but are not limited to, artificial arms, legs, breasts, or glass eyes.

(2) "Scalp hair prosthesis" means an artificial substitute for scalp hair that is made specifically for a specific individual.

(c) Such coverage may be subject to annual deductibles and co-insurance provisions as may be deemed appropriate and as are consistent with those established for other benefits under the plan of coverage. Written notice of the availability of such coverage shall be delivered to the insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary upon enrollment and annually thereafter.

(d) All group and blanket health benefit plans shall provide notice to each insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance herewith. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence made available or distributed by the plan and shall be transmitted as part of any yearly informational packet sent to the insured, participant, policyholder, subscriber and beneficiary.

76 Del. Laws, c. 314, § 1.;

§ 3357. Hearing aid coverage.

(a) For purposes of this section, the term "hearing aid" means any nonexperimental, wearable instrument or device designed for the ear and offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human hearing, but excluding batteries, cords, and other assistive listening devices such as FM systems.

(b) Every individual health insurance contract, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, which is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2009, shall provide coverage of up to $1000 per individual hearing aid, per ear, every 3 years, for children less than 24 years of age, covered as a dependent by the policy holder.

(c) The insured may choose a hearing aid exceeding $1,000 and pay the difference in cost above the amount of coverage required by this section. Reimbursement shall be provided according to the respective principles and policies of the insurer. The insurer may require the policyholder to provide a prescription or show proof through other suitable documentation of the need for a hearing aid and nothing contained in this section shall preclude the insurer from conducting managed care, medical necessity, or utilization review or prevent the operation of such policy provisions as deductibles, coinsurance, allowable charge limitations, coordination of benefits or provisions restricting coverage to services by licensed, certified or carrier-approved providers or facilities.

(d) This section does not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for:

(1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

(2) Disability income;

(3) Accident only;

(4) Long-term care;

(5) Medicare supplement;

(6) Limited benefit health;

(7) Specified diseased indemnity;

(8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident, or both; and

(9) Other limited benefit policies.

76 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1.;

§ 3358. Dental services for children with a severe disability.

(a) Definitions. -- As used in this section:

(1) "Child with a severe disability" means a person under the age of 21 who, due to a significant mental or physical condition, illness, or disease, is likely to require specialized treatment or supports to secure effective access to dental care. The written certification of a child's treating physician, advance practice nurse, or licensed psychologist shall be sufficient to qualify a person as a "child with a severe disability."

(2) "Dental services" means the full range of diagnostic and treatment services within the scope of benefits available under the health insurance contract or policy.

(b) Application of section. -- This section applies to every individual health insurance contract, including each policy or contract issued by a health service corporation, which is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this State which provides coverage for dental services for a child.

(c) Payment authorization. -- Every contract or policy described in subsection (b) of this section shall authorize payment to a licensed practitioner for dental services to a child with a severe disability irrespective of lack of contractual or network status. Unless otherwise negotiated with the practitioner in advance, such payment shall be in an amount at least equal to the insurer's reasonable and customary compensation for the same or similar services in the same geographical area. A nonnetwork practitioner accepting payment under this section may not balance bill the insured.

(d) Preservation of contract limits. -- Nothing in this section shall prevent the application of contract or policy provisions involving deductibles, coinsurance, maximum dollar limitations or coordination of benefits, provided that such limits shall be applied using in-network standards.

(e) Waiver. -- The Commissioner may establish, by regulation, standards authorizing the issuance of a waiver to an insurer from application of this section. At a minimum, such waiver standards shall only permit a time-limited, renewable waiver upon submission of clear and convincing documentation of the numerical and geographical availability of in-network practitioners willing and able to effectively treat a child with a severe disability.

77 Del. Laws, c. 54, § 1.;

§ 3359. Health insurance; pharmacies; electronic reimbursement [Effective Jan. 6, 2010]

(a) This section shall apply to:

(1) Insurers and nonprofit health service plans that provide, directly or through a pharmacy benefit manager, coverage for prescription drugs under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in this State; and

(2) Health maintenance organizations that provide, directly or through a pharmacy benefit manager, coverage for prescription drugs under contracts that are issued or delivered in this State.

(b) If an entity subject to this section requires a pharmacy to submit a request for payment electronically, then the pharmacy or its designated agent may choose to be reimbursed electronically, and in that event the entity shall electronically reimburse such pharmacy and shall provide the appropriate payment data electronically, provided that the electing pharmacy agrees to, and can accept claims details for the payments electronically and provide accurate electronic funds transfer information to the entity making payments.

(c) An entity subject to this section may not impose on a pharmacy a processing fee for the electronic reimbursement or for providing payment data electronically.

(d) Subsequent to January 6, 2010, any pharmacy that requires electronic reimbursement under this section shall allow an entity 45 days to become compliant herewith from the date of the pharmacy's initial request to commence electronic reimbursement between the parties.

77 Del. Laws, c. 116, § 1.;

§ 3360. Screening of infants and toddlers for developmental delays.

(a) Definitions. -- As used in this section:

(1) "Carrier" means any entity that provides health insurance in this State. For the purposes of this section, "carrier" includes an insurance company, health service corporation, health maintenance organization, and any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits subject to state insurance regulation. "Carrier" also includes any third-party administrator or other entity that adjusts, administers, or settles claims in connection with health benefit plans.

(2) "Developmental screening" shall mean any developmental screening tool favorably mentioned by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Children with Disabilities in its position paper on "Developmental Surveillance and Screening of Infants and Young Children," or any program judged by the Department of Health and Social Services to be an equivalent program.

(b) This section shall apply to any health insurance contract that provides coverage for a family member of the insured and is delivered by a carrier or issued by a carrier for delivery in the State.

(c) This section shall not apply to policies that exclusively cover:

(1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

(2) Disability income;

(3) Accident only;

(4) Long-term care;

(5) Medicare supplement;

(6) Specified disease indemnity; or

(7) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident, or both.

(d) Every health insurance policy covered by this section shall entitle children covered by the policy to receive developmental screenings at ages 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months.

77 Del. Laws, c. 207, § 1.;