2006 Code of Virginia § 38.2-3553 - Membership in a small employer health group cooperative

38.2-3553. Membership in a small employer health group cooperative.

A. A small employer health group cooperative:

1. Shall not limit, restrict, or condition a small employer's membership inthe small employer health group cooperative on any health status-relatedfactor relating to an individual, including an employee of a small employeror a dependent of an employee; and

2. Shall make group health policies offered through the small employer healthgroup cooperative available to all eligible employees of its employer-membersand their eligible dependents, regardless of any health status-related factorrelating to individuals eligible for coverage through a member.

B. Notwithstanding subdivision 2 of subsection A, nothing in this articleshall be construed as requiring (i) an issuer to provide coverage outside itsservice area or (ii) a small employer health group cooperative to make suchcoverage available to employer-members located outside the service area ofthe issuer.

C. A small employer health group cooperative shall not make group healthpolicies offered through the cooperative available other than to the eligibleemployees of its employer-members and their eligible dependents.

(2006, c. 427.)