California § 1358.6

§ 1358.6.

(a) (1) Except for permitted preexisting condition clauses as described in Sections 1358.7, 1358.8, and 1358.81, a contract shall not be advertised, solicited, or issued for delivery as a Medicare supplement contract if the contract contains definitions, limitations, exclusions, conditions, reductions, or other provisions that are more restrictive or limiting than that term as officially used in Medicare, except as expressly authorized by this article. (2) No issuer may advertise, solicit, or issue for delivery any Medicare supplement contract with hospital or medical coverage if the contract contains any of the prohibited provisions described in subdivision (b). (b) The following provisions shall be deemed to be unfair, unreasonable, and inconsistent with the objectives of this chapter and shall not be contained in any Medicare supplement contract: (1) Any waiver, exclusion, limitation, or reduction based on or relating to a preexisting disease or physical condition, unless that waiver, exclusion, limitation, or reduction (A) applies only to coverage for specified services rendered not more than six months from the effective date of coverage, (B) is based on or relates only to a preexisting disease or physical condition defined no more restrictively than a condition for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within six months before the effective date of coverage, (C) does not apply to any coverage under any group contract, and (D) is approved in advance by the director. Any limitations with respect to a preexisting condition shall appear as a separate paragraph of the contract and be labeled “Preexisting Condition Limitations.” (2) Except with respect to a group contract subject to, and in compliance with, Section 1399.62, any provision denying coverage, after termination of the contract, for services provided continuously beginning while the contract was in effect, during the continuous total disability of the subscriber or enrollee, except that the coverage may be limited to a reasonable period of time not less than the duration of the contract benefit period, if any, and may be limited to the maximum benefits provided under the contract. (c) A Medicare supplement contract in force shall not contain benefits that duplicate benefits provided by Medicare. (d) (1) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 1358.8, a Medicare supplement contract with benefits for outpatient prescription drugs that was issued prior to January 1, 2006, shall be renewed for current enrollees and subscribers, at their option, who do not enroll in Medicare Part D. (2) A Medicare supplement contract with benefits for outpatient prescription drugs shall not be issued on and after January 1, 2006. (3) On and after January 1, 2006, a Medicare supplement contract with benefits for outpatient prescription drugs shall not be renewed after the enrollee or subscriber enrolls in Medicare Part D unless both of the following conditions exist: (A) The contract is modified to eliminate outpatient prescription drug coverage for outpatient prescription drug expenses incurred after the effective date of the individual’s coverage under a Medicare Part D plan. (B) The premium is adjusted to reflect the elimination of outpatient prescription drug coverage at the time of enrollment in Medicare Part D, accounting for any claims paid if applicable.