IN HB1494

Indiana House Bill 1494 - Health Coverage Protections

• Appropriates $297,000 annually from the state general fund to the Department of Insurance to fund navigators and assisters for health care coverage consumer outreach, education, and enrollment assistance at 2017 levels of effort.

• Requires the Insurance Commissioner to report annually by December 31 to the legislative council the percentage of Indiana residents lacking health insurance coverage.

• Prohibits preexisting condition exclusions in individual accident and sickness insurance policies, small employer group health plans, health maintenance organization contracts, and state employee health plans.

• Restricts premium rate variations for individual and small group policies to only four factors: individual vs. family coverage, rating area, age (capped at 3:1 ratio for adults), and tobacco use (capped at 1.5:1 ratio).

• Requires insurers and HMOs to accept all employers and individuals who apply for coverage and to guarantee renewability at the policyholder's option, with termination permitted only for nonpayment, fraud, or market exit in compliance with specified notice requirements.