As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Affiliation period” means a period of time not to exceed 2 months (3 months for late enrollees) during which a health maintenance organization does not collect premium and coverage issued is not effective.

(2) “Bona fide association” means, with respect to health insurance coverage offered in Delaware, an association which:

a. Has been actively in existence for at least 5 years;

b. Has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance and does not condition membership on the purchase of association-sponsored insurance;

c. Does not condition membership in the association on any health status-related factor relating to an employee of an employer or a dependent of an employee and clearly so states in all membership and application materials;

d. Makes health insurance coverage offered through the association available to all members regardless of any health status-related factor relating to such members (or individuals eligible for coverage through a member) and clearly so states in all marketing and application materials;

e. Does not make health insurance coverage offered through the association available other than in connection with a member of the association and clearly so states in all marketing and application materials; and

f. Provides and annually updates information necessary for the Commissioner to determine whether or not an association meets the definition of a bona fide association before qualifying as a bona fide association for the purposes of this chapter.

(3) “Creditable coverage” means, with respect to an individual, health benefits or coverage provided under any of the following:

a. A group health benefit plan;

b. A health benefit plan;

c. Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 1395 et seq. or 42 U.S.C. § 1395j et seq.];

d. Title XIX of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.], other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under § 1928 [42 U.S.C. § 1396s];

e. Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code [10 U.S.C. § 1071 et seq.];

f. A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization;

g. A state health benefits risk pool;

h. A health plan offered under Chapter 89 of Title 5, United States Code [5 U.S.C. § 8901 et seq.];

i. A public health plan as defined in federal regulations;

j. A health benefit plan under § 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act [22 U.S.C. § 2504(e)].

(4) “Health benefit plan” means any hospital or medical policy or certificate, major medical expense insurance policy or certificate, any hospital or medical service plan contract, health maintenance organization or health service corporation subscriber contract or any other similar health contract subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner.

“Health benefit plan” does not include: accident only; credit; dental; vision; Medicare supplement; benefits for long-term care, home health care, community-based care or any combination thereof; disability income insurance; liability insurance including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance, worker’s compensation or similar insurance; or automobile medical payment insurance. The term also excludes specified disease, hospital confinement indemnity or limited benefit health insurance if such types of coverage do not provide coordination of benefits and are provided under separate policies or certificates; 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 paragraph (4)b. of this section.

b. The certification 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 or other factors) charged for these 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 July 1, 1997, the carrier files with the Commissioner the information and statement required in paragraph (4)b. of this section at least 30 days prior to the date the policy or certificate is issued or delivered in this State.

(5) “Health status-related factor” means any of the following factors:

a. Health status;

b. Medical condition, including both physical and mental illnesses;

c. Claims experience;

d. Receipt of health care;

e. Medical history;

f. Genetic information, as defined in § 2317 of this title;

g. Evidence of insurability, including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence;

h. Disability.

(6) “Large employer” means any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association that is actively engaged in business that, on at least 50 percent of its working days during the preceding calendar quarter, employed more than 50 eligible employees, as defined in § 7202 of this title, the majority of whom were employed within this State. In determining the number of eligible employees, companies that are affiliated companies or that are eligible to file a combined tax return for purposes of state taxation shall be considered 1 employer. In the case of an employer that was not in existence throughout the preceding calendar quarter, the determination of whether such employer is a small or large employer shall be based on the average number of employees that is reasonably expected such employer will employ on business days in the current calendar year.

(7) “Late enrollee” means an eligible employee or dependent who requests enrollment in a group health benefit plan following the initial enrollment period during which such individual is entitled to enroll under the terms of the health benefit plan, if such initial enrollment period is a period of at least 30 days. An eligible employee or dependent shall not be considered a late enrollee if:

a. The individual:

1. Was covered under other creditable coverage at the time of the initial enrollment period and, if required by the carrier or issuer, the employee stated at the time of initial enrollment that this was the reason for declining enrollment;

2. Lost coverage under the other creditable coverage as a result of termination of employment or eligibility, reduction in the number of hours of employment, the involuntary termination of the creditable coverage, death of a spouse, legal separation or divorce or employer contributions towards such coverage was terminated; and

3. Requests enrollment within 30 days after termination of the other creditable coverage; or

b. The individual is employed by an employer that offers multiple health benefit plans and elects a different plan during an open enrollment period; or

c. A court has ordered that coverage be provided for a dependent under a covered employee’s health benefit plan and the request for enrollment is made within 30 days after issuance of such court order; or

d. A person becomes a dependent of a covered person through marriage, birth, adoption or placement for adoption and requests enrollment no later than 30 days after becoming such a dependent. In such case, coverage shall commence on the date the person becomes a dependent if a request for enrollment is received in a timely fashion before such date.

(8) “Medical care” means amounts paid for:

a. The diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or amounts paid for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body;

b. Transportation primarily for and essential to medical care referred to in paragraph (8)a. of this section; and

c. Insurance covering medical care referred to in paragraphs (8)a. and (8)b. of this section.

(9) “Waiting period” means, with respect to a group health plan and an individual who is a potential participant or beneficiary in the plan, the period that must pass with respect to the individual before the individual is eligible for benefits under the terms of the plan. For purposes of calculating periods of creditable coverage, a waiting period shall not be considered a gap in coverage.

71 Del. Laws, c. 143, § ?14; 72 Del. Laws, c. 383, § ?4; 73 Del. Laws, c. 89, § ?1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 176, § ?3;