(1) Issuers of small group qualified health plans must comply with the additional special enrollment period requirements set forth in 45 C.F.R. 155.420 (b)(2) and 45 C.F.R. 155.725.
(2) In addition to meeting the requirements set forth in WAC
284-43-1020, issuers must include in qualified health plan contract forms and required disclosure documents an explanation of special enrollment rights if one of the following triggering events occurs:
(a) In addition to the requirements for adopted, placed for adoption, and newborn children, the same special enrollment right accrues for foster children and children placed in foster care;
(b) The individual demonstrates to the health benefit exchange that the qualified health plan in which they are enrolled violated a material provision of the coverage contract in relation to the individual;
(c) An individual's enrollment in or nonenrollment in a qualified health plan is unintentional, inadvertent or erroneous, and is the result of the error, misinterpretation or inaction of an officer, employee or agent of the health benefit exchange of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as determined by the health benefit exchange upon evaluation;
(d) In addition to the special enrollment event in WAC
284-43-1020 (2)(d), a change in the individual's residence as the result of a permanent move results in new eligibility for previously unavailable qualified health plans;
(e) For qualified individuals who are an Indian, as defined by Section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, enrollment in a qualified health plan or change from one qualified health plan to another must be permitted one time per month, without requiring an additional special enrollment triggering event.
(3) If the health benefit exchange establishes earlier effective dates for special enrollment periods, pursuant to 45 C.F.R. 155.420, an issuer must include in its plan documents and required disclosures an explanation of the effective date for special enrollment periods.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
48.02.060. WSR 16-14-106 (Matter No. R 2016-11), § 284-43-1040, filed 7/6/16, effective 8/6/16. WSR 16-01-081, recodified as § 284-43-1040, filed 12/14/15, effective 12/14/15. Statutory Authority: RCW
48.02.060,
48.18.120(2),
48.20.450,
48.43.0211,
48.43.720(3),
48.44.050,
48.46.200, 45 C.F.R. §§ 147.104, 147.106, 155.420, and 155.725. WSR 14-01-042 (Matter No. R 2013-02), § 284-170-412, filed 12/11/13, effective 1/1/14.]