HF1002 Summary

• Requires health carriers to offer individual health plans on a guaranteed issue basis with premiums that do not vary based on health status of the individual.

• Establishes a 3-month grace period for nonpayment of premiums on individual health plans, during which carriers must pay claims for the first month and may pend claims for months two and three.

• Limits group health plan waiting periods to 90 days maximum, with exceptions for eligibility determination periods up to 12 months, cumulative hours-of-service requirements capped at 1,200 hours, and orientation periods of one month or less.

• Codifies Affordable Care Act provisions regarding essential health benefits, preventive care coverage without cost-sharing, dependent child coverage to age 26, and out-of-pocket maximums.

• Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or sex by health programs and insurers receiving federal financial assistance or operating through state or federal marketplaces, effective January 1, 2022.