(a) In general.  A carrier shall establish a special enrollment period that allows for the enrollment of a pregnant individual at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy. Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual applies for coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all health insurance coverage offered by a carrier.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 27-18.5-10.1

  • carrier: means any entity subject to the insurance laws and regulations of this state, or subject to the jurisdiction of the director, that contracts or offers to contract to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any of the costs of healthcare services, including, without limitation, an insurance company offering accident and sickness insurance, a health maintenance organization, a nonprofit hospital, medical or dental service corporation, or any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits by which healthcare services are paid or financed for an eligible individual or his or her dependents by such entity on the basis of a periodic premium, paid directly or through an association, trust, or other intermediary, and issued, renewed, or delivered within or without Rhode Island to cover a natural person who is a resident of this state, including a certificate issued to a natural person that evidences coverage under a policy or contract issued to a trust or association;

    (9)(i)  "Health insurance coverage" means a policy, contract, certificate, or agreement offered by a health insurance carrier to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any of the costs of healthcare services. See Rhode Island General Laws 27-18.5-2

(b) Non-interference with federal and state law.  Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal and state law.

History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 145, § 1, effective January 1, 2023; P.L. 2022, ch. 146, § 1, effective January 1, 2023.