DE HB170

Requires insurers to offer mini-COBRA continuation coverage to employees and eligible dependents whose coverage terminates due to qualifying events under small-employer group health policies.

Applies only to employers with 1-19 employees and persons not covered by federal COBRA or Public Health Service Act continuation provisions.

Continuation coverage must be available for up to 9 months after a qualifying event, with premium contributions capped at 102% of the group rate, and includes qualifying events such as employment termination, death, divorce, Medicare eligibility, and dependent child status changes.

Requires employers to notify covered employees of qualifying events within 30 days and employees to elect continuation coverage within 30 days; coverage becomes effective as of the qualifying event date.

Act takes effect within 30 days of enactment and expires on January 1, 2014.