File No. 33558

This rule was published in the May 1, 2010, issue (Vol. 2010, No. 9) of the Utah State Bulletin.


Insurance, Administration

Rule R590-175

Basic Health Care Plan Rule

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Repeal)

DAR File No.: 33558
Filed: 04/14/2010 10:12:47 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being repealed due to H.B. 188, Health System Reform, that passed in 2009. This bill eliminated the requirement for the department to adopt a Basic Health Care Plan. (DAR NOTE: H.B. 188 (2009) is found at Chapter 12, Laws of Utah 2009, and was effective 03/11/2009.)

Summary of the rule or change:

This rule is repealed in its entirety.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

  • Section 31A-2-201
  • Section 31A-22-613.5

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This rule will have no fiscal effect on the department or the state budget. Instead of the basic health care plan being set in a rule it is now in the code. The department will regulate it either way with no change in work load.

local governments:

The repeal of this rule will have no effect on local government since it deals solely with the relationship of the department with its licensees.

small businesses:

The basic health care plan standards are now in the code rather than the rule, which insurers are already aware of. The basic health care plan now has the same benefits as Netcare, which, on average, is offered with lower benefits reducing the cost of coverage approximately 30%. This affects large and small employers and individual consumers the same.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

The basic health care plan standards are now in the code rather than the rule, which insurers are already aware of. The basic health care plan now has the same benefits as Netcare, which, on average, is offered with lower benefits reducing the cost of coverage approximately 30%. This affects large and small employers and individual consumers the same.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The basic health care plan standards are now in the code rather than the rule, which insurers are already aware of. The basic health care plan now has the same benefits as Netcare, which, on average, is offered with lower benefits reducing the cost of coverage approximately 30%. This affects large and small employers and individual consumers the same.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The repeal of this rule will have no fiscal impact on insurers. The new law will reduce cost and benefits to those that purchase the basic health care plan, which would include businesses.

Neal T. Gooch, Acting Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Insurance
Administration
450 N MAIN ST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-1201

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

  • Jilene Whitby at the above address, by phone at 801-538-3803, by FAX at 801-538-3829, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/31/2010

This rule may become effective on:

06/07/2010

Authorized by:

Jilene Whitby, Information Specialist

RULE TEXT

R590. Insurance, Administration.

[R590-175. Basic Health Care Plan Rule.

R590-175-1. Authority.

This rule is issued pursuant to Subsection 31A-22-613.5(2) and the general rulemaking authority vested in the commissioner by Section 31A-2-201. Section 31A-22-613.5(2)(a) requires that the commissioner adopt a Basic Health Care Plan.

 

R590-175-2. Statement of Purpose and Scope.

(1) The purpose of this rule is to adopt a Basic Health Care Plan as:

(a) a conversion plan per Section 31A-22-723; or

(b) a basic coverage plan per Section 31A-30-109.

(2)(a) This rule applies to all insurers marketing health insurance policies subject to the open enrollment provisions of Chapter 30; and

(b) to all insurers subject to 31A-22-723.

 

R590-175-3. General Requirements.

(1) Each insurer who is required to offer a health care plan under the open enrollment provisions of Chapter 30 shall file with the department at least one basic health care plan which is specified by the insurer as complying with the provisions of this rule and which must be offered for sale to anyone qualifying for open enrollment under Chapter 30.

(2) The basic health care plan shall not be designed or marketed in a manner that tends to discourage its purchase by anyone under the open enrollment provisions of Chapter 30.

(3) A plan having actuarial equivalence may be considered, at the sole discretion of the commissioner.

(4) Each insurer must use the language in this rule to present covered services, limitations and exclusions.

(5) A plan offered in compliance with the open enrollment provisions of Chapter 30 must contain at least the benefits set forth in the Basic Health Care Plan as adopted by the commissioner.

(6) The basic health care plan is to be offered as a package, in its entirety, and is mutually exclusive of and not comparable on a line by line basis to an insurer's other plans.

(7) If the basic health care plan is offered by a preferred provider organization, PPO, the benefit levels shown in the plan are for contracting providers; benefit levels for non-contracting providers' services may be reduced in accordance with Section 31A-22-617.

(8) Each insurer is to include its usual contracting provisions in its basic health care plan including submission of claims, coordination of benefits, eligibility and coverage termination, grievance procedures general terms and conditions, etc.

(9) Each insurer who is required to offer a group conversion plan under Subsection 31A-33-723 shall file with the department at least one basic health care plan that complies with the provisions of this rule and must be offered for sale to anyone qualifying for conversion.

(10) The form to follow for the Basic Health Care Plan is as follows:

 

TABLE
BASIC HEALTH CARE PLAN


  1.  MAXIMUM BENEFIT. The maximum benefit per person for the
entire period for which this policy coverage is in effect shall
be $1,000,000.
  2.  ANNUAL MAXIMUM BENEFIT. The maximum annual benefit per
person shall not be less than $250,000.
  3.  OUT OF POCKET MAXIMUM PER PERSON.  The annual out of
pocket maximum per person not to exceed $5,000, including
any deductibles, copayments or coinsurances in the plan,
for family coverage, not to exceed three times the per person
out-of-pocket maximum.
  4.  PREEXISTING CONDITION LIMITATION.
  (a)  Any preexisting condition limitation shall be in
compliance with Utah Code Subsection 31A-22-605.1(4); and
  (b)  Any waiting period shall not exceed 12 months, or 18
months in the case of a late enrollee, with credit for prior
coverage when applicable.
  5.  GENERAL COST-SHARING FOR MEDICAL BENEFITS.
  Cost-sharing shall be based on eligible expenses. The cost-
sharing features of the plan shall be the following:
  (a)  Annual Deductible.
  (i)  A major medical deductible of not less than $1,000
per person, for family coverage not to exceed three times the per
person deductible for major medical expenses; and
  (ii)  an annual deductible for prescription benefits not to
exceed $1000 per person, for family coverage not to exceed three
times the per person deductible.
  (b)  Copayment and Coinsurance.
  (i)(A)  A copayment of not less than $25 per visit for office
visits, including preventive care services; and
  (B)  A copayment of not less than $150 per visit to the emergency
room; or
  (ii)  less than 20% coinsurance per
visit for office services and 20% per emergency room visits.
  6.  PREVENTIVE SERVICES. Preventive services covered under a
managed care plan shall not be subject to the annual deductible.
Covered preventive services shall consist of at least the following:
  (a)  childhood immunizations in accordance with guidelines as
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, as directed and
modified from time to time;
  (b)  well-baby care through age five in accordance with
guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as
directed and modified from time to time;
  (c)  for adults and adolescents, age, sex and risk appropriate
preventive and screening services in accordance with
Classification A guidelines recommended by the U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force, as directed and modified from time to time.
  7.  COST SHARING FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. Benefits for
prescription drugs, other than self injectable drugs, except
insulin, shall be subject to either:
  (a)  a copayment of not more than:
  (i)  the lesser of the cost of the prescription drug or $15
for the lowest level of cost for prescription drugs;
  (ii)  the lesser of the cost of the prescription drug or $25
for the second level of cost for prescription drugs; and
  (iii)  the lesser of the cost of the prescription drug or $35
for the highest level of cost for prescription drugs; or
  (b)  a coinsurance of not less than:
  (i)  the lesser of the cost of the prescription drug or 25% for
the lowest level of cost for prescription;
  (ii)  the lesser of the cost of the prescription drug or 40% for
the second level of cost for prescription drugs; and
  (iii)  the lesser of the cost of the prescription drug or 60% for
the highest level of cost for prescription drugs.
  8.  COST SHARING FOR MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS AND/OR SUBSTANCE
ABUSE SERVICES.
  Benefits for mental health and substance abuse services shall
provide:
  (i) for individual policies:
  (A) coinsurance of 50% of eligible expenses;
  (B) inpatient services limited to 10 days annually per person; and
  (C) benefits for outpatient services limited to 20 visits annually
per person;
  (ii) small employer group policies shall be subject to Sections
31A-22-625 and 31A-22-715; and
  (iii) large employer group policies shall be subject to the Paul
Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity
Act of 2008.
  9.  OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION SERVICES. Benefits for outpatient
rehabilitation services, e.g., physical therapy, occupational
therapy, and speech therapy, shall be limited to not less than 10
visits for each illness or injury.
  10.  HOME HEALTH CARE. Benefits for home health care shall be
limited to not less than 30 days in any 12 month period and shall
consist of services provided, in accordance with a plan of care,
in the home by a licensed community home health agency or an
approved hospital program for home health care when the person
is physically unable to obtain necessary medical care on an
outpatient basis, would otherwise be confined as an inpatient,
and is under the care of a physician. A "plan of care" means a
written plan that:
  (a)  is approved by the physician prior to commencement of
treatment, unless it is continuity of care under the same
physician;
  (b)  is based on the assessment data or physician orders; and
  (c)  identifies the patient's needs, who will provide needed
services, how often, treatment goals, and anticipated outcomes.
  Covered services shall not include health aide services
furnished when the person is not receiving professional services
of a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or
licensed vocational nurse (LVN), nor shall it include
housekeeping services.
  11.  DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. Benefits for durable
medical equipment, rental or purchase, at the option of the
insurer.  Prosthetics and orthotics shall be limited to
not less than $5,000 per person for the entire period for which
coverage is in effect.
  12.  COVERED SERVICES. Subject to medical necessity,
provider network, and prior approval criteria established by the
insurer, and subject to the limitations and exclusions and
other terms and conditions of the policy, the following shall be
covered services under the basic health care plan:
  (a)  inpatient hospital services:
  (i)  semi-private room accommodations;
  (ii)  ICU;
  (iii)  hospital services and supplies;
  (b)  ambulatory service facility services:
  (i)  birthing center services, when maternity care is covered;
  (ii)  surgical facility services;
  (c)  office preventive services;
  (d)  office medical services:
  (i)  diagnostic services; e.g., x-ray, lab tests;
  (ii)  therapeutic services; e.g., injection of medication;
  (e)  outpatient hospital services:
  (i)  emergency room services;
  (ii)  diagnostic services;
  (iii)  therapeutic services; e.g., chemotherapy, radiation
therapy;
  (iv)  surgical facility services;
  (f)  inpatient medical services; e.g., physician visits;
  (g)  surgery;
  (h)  assistant-at-surgery;
  (i)  anesthesia, including children's general anesthesia for
dental, if necessary;
  (j)  consultation;
  (k)  dental care for accidental injury to sound natural teeth;
  (l)  limited home health care;
  (m)  emergency ambulance transportation;
  (n)  prescription drugs;
  (o)  durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics, as
limited; and medical supplies;
  (p)  maternity services:
  (i)  for employer group conversion plans, maternity benefits
are provided on the same basis as benefits for sickness;
  (ii)  for individual plans, there are no maternity benefits;
  (iii)  benefits for complications of pregnancy are provided on
the same basis as benefits for sickness. Complications of
pregnancy will not be excluded solely because the pregnancy is a
preexisting condition. "Complications of pregnancy" means
diseases or conditions, the diagnoses of which are distinct from
pregnancy but are adversely affected or caused by pregnancy and
not associated with a normal pregnancy.
  Complications of pregnancy does not include false labor,
occasional spotting, doctor prescribed rest during the period
of pregnancy, morning sickness, and conditions of comparable
severity associated with management of a difficult pregnancy.
In no event will the presence of complications of pregnancy
result in benefits being provided for services normal to care
and treatment of pregnancy and childbirth. Such normal services
include but are not limited to hospitalization for childbirth or
termination of pregnancy by any means, anesthesia services,
ultrasound examinations, prenatal diagnostic laboratory
services, antepartum and postpartum care, vaginal or cesarean
delivery, threatened premature termination, premature
termination, and routine nursery care of the newborn;
  (iv)  newborn and maternity inpatient time limits will conform
to Subsection 31A-22-610.2.  For conversion plans, maternity
will be covered with the lesser of benefits originally on plan
prior to conversion or the basic benefit plan.  This coverage
benefit is only for existing pregnancies, known or unknown at
the time of conversion. Additional premium for pregnancy is not
allowed;
  (q)  limited outpatient rehabilitation services;
  (r)  limited mental illness/substance abuse services;
  (s)  diabetes as required by Section 31A-22-626.
  (t)  inborn metabolic errors, PKU, nutritional benefits as
required by Section 31A-22-623; and
  (u)  mastectomy as required by Sections 31A-22-630 and
31A-22-719.
  13.  EXCLUSIONS. Benefits will not be provided for any of the
following:
  (a)  services, supplies, or treatment provided prior to the
effective date or after the termination date of coverage;
  (b)  charges in connection with a work-related injury or
sickness for which coverage is provided under any state or
federal workers' compensation, employer's liability, or
occupational disease law;
  (c)  services, supplies, or treatment for which coverage is
provided under any motor vehicle no-fault plan. When the person
is required by law to have no-fault insurance in effect, this
exclusion applies to charges up to the minimum coverage required
by law whether or not such coverage is in effect;
  (d)  services, supplies, or treatment for injury or sickness
resulting from war or any act of war whether declared or
undeclared;
  (e)  services, supplies, or treatment for injury or sickness
resulting from service in the military of any country;
  (f)  services, supplies, or treatment for which benefits are
provided under Medicare or any other government program except
Medicaid;
  (g)  services, supplies, or treatment for which no charge is
made or for which the person is not required to pay;
  (h)  services or supplies not incident to or necessary for the
treatment of injury or sickness or which are not medically
necessary, as determined by the insurer;
  (i)  treatment or prevention of an injury or sickness,
including mental illness, by means of treatments, procedures,
techniques, or therapy outside generally accepted health care
practice;
  (j)  services, supplies, or treatment required as a result of
an injury or sickness sustained while committing a felony or
engaging in an illegal occupation;
  (k)  services to the extent benefits are provided by any
governmental unit except as required by federal law for
treatment of veterans in Veterans Administration or armed
forces facilities for non-service related medical conditions;
  (l)  examinations, reports, or appearances in connection with
legal proceedings; and services, supplies, or accommodations
pursuant to a court order, whether or not injury or sickness is
involved;
  (m)  investigative/experimental technology, treatment,
procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device or supply,
"technology," which does not, as determined by the insurer on a
case by case basis, meet all of the following criteria:
  (i)  the technology must have final approval from appropriate
governmental regulatory bodies, if applicable;
  (ii)  the technology must be available in significant number
outside the clinical trial or research setting;
  (iii)  the available research regarding the technology must
be substantial. For purposes of this definition, "substantial"
means sufficient to allow the insurer to conclude that:
  (A)  the technology is both medically necessary and
appropriate for the person's treatment;
  (B)  the technology is safe and efficacious; and
  (C)  more likely than not, the technology will be beneficial
to the person's health;
  (iv)  the regional medical community as a whole must generally
recognize the technology as appropriate;
  (n)  services in connection with any transplant of any whole
organ or part thereof, live or cadaver, bone marrow, either as
donor or recipient, or any artificial organ, except for the
following:
  (i)  cornea transplants;
  (ii)  kidney transplants;
  (iii)  liver transplants for children under age 18 years;
  (iv)  bone marrow transplants for children under age 18 years;
and
  (v)  evaluation, treatment and therapy involving the use of
myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem
cell and/or colony stimulating factor support for children under
age 18 years;
  (o)  custodial care;
  (i)  "Custodial care" means:
  (A)  institutional care, consisting mainly of room and board,
which is for the primary purpose of controlling the person's
environment; and
  (B)  professional or personal care, consisting mainly
of non-skilled nursing services with or without medical
supervision, which is for the primary purpose of managing the
person's disability or maintaining the person's degree of
recovery already attained without reasonable expectation of
significant further recovery.
  (ii)  "Custodial care" does not mean outpatient palliative
and supportive care provided by a hospice program to a person
who is terminally ill with a life expectancy of not more than
six months and is in lieu of institutional or inpatient hospital
care;
  (p)  services, supplies, or treatment in connection with
cosmetic or reconstructive procedures which alter appearance but
do not restore or improve impaired physical function or which
are performed for psychological or emotional purposes, except
when performed while a person is covered under this policy for
the following:
  (i)  repair of defects resulting from an accident occurring
within 90 days of the effective date of this policy under
creditable coverage or occurring during this policy;
  (ii)  replacement of diseased tissue surgically removed for
illness occurring within 90 days of this policy under creditable
coverage or occurring during this policy;
  (iii)  treatment of a birth defect in a child who has met the
pre-existing conditions requirement since birth or date of
placement for adoption; and
  (iv)  mastectomy reconstruction as required by Sections
31A-22-630 and 31A-22-719;
  (q)  dental services. This exclusion will not apply if dental
services are required as a result of an accidental injury which
occurs while coverage is in force, dental services are received
within two years following the accidental injury, and the person
has been continuously covered from the date of the accidental
injury through the date the dental services are provided;
  (r)  eyeglasses, contact lenses and/or servicing of eyeglasses
and/or contact lenses. This exclusion does not apply to contact
lenses in the case of keratoconus or post-cataract surgery when
the contact lenses are medically necessary in the treatment of
the condition;
  (s)  medical, non-surgical, care of weak, strained, flat,
unstable or unbalanced feet routine foot care. The exclusion of
routine foot care does not apply to cutting or removal of corns,
calluses, or nails when provided to a person who has a systemic
disease, such as diabetes with peripheral neuropathy or
circulatory insufficiency, of such severity that unskilled
performance of the procedure would be hazardous;
  (t)  orthopedic or corrective shoes, foot orthotics, or any
other supportive devices for the feet;
  (u)  drugs and medicines which do not bear the legend
"Caution - federal law prohibits dispensing without a
prescription" and/or which are not dispensed by a licensed
pharmacist;
  (v)  charges in connection with jaw realignment procedures
including, but not limited to, osteotomy, upper or lower jaw
augmentation or reduction procedures, and orthognathic surgery;
charges in connection with treatment of temporomandibular joint
(TMJ) dysfunction, including surgical procedures and injections
of the TMJ, physical therapy, splints, and orthodontic
appliances. This exclusion will not apply to:
  (i)  the initial diagnostic evaluation of TMJ dysfunction;
  (ii)  surgical correction of the TMJ required as a result of
an accidental injury which occurs while this coverage is in
force; and
  (iii)  physical therapy services related to and subsequent to
covered TMJ surgery;
  (w)  treatment of obesity by means of surgical, medical
or medication services and regardless of associated medical,
emotional, or psychological conditions;
  (x)  services or supplies in connection with genetic studies;
  (y)  implantable contraceptives (hormonal or other);
  (z)  reversal of a sterilization procedure;
  (aa)  any treatment for or diagnosis of infertility,
artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and any other
male or female dysfunction, except as required by Section
31A-8-101;
  (bb)  vision testing, vision training;
  (cc)  radial keratotomy, laser and any surgical correction of
errors of refraction;
  (dd)  educational service or counseling, including weight
control clinics, stop smoking clinics, cholesterol counseling,
exercise programs or other types of physical fitness training,
except for those benefits required by Section 31A-22-626;
  (ee)  marriage counseling; family counseling; counseling
for educational, social, occupational, religious, or other
similar maladjustment; behavior modification, biofeedback, or
rest cures as treatment for mental disorders; sensitivity or
stress-management training; self-help training; and residential
treatment;
  (ff)  treatment for mental disorders which are irreversible or
for which there is little or no reasonable expectation for
improvement, including mental retardation, personality
disorders, and chronic organic brain disease. This exclusion
does not apply to the initial assessment for diagnosis of the
condition;
  (gg)  psychotherapy, counseling, or other services in
connection with learning disabilities, disruptive behavior
disorders, conduct disorders, psychosexual disorders, or
transexualism. This exclusion does not apply to the initial
assessment for diagnosis of the condition;
  (hh)  vitamins, special formulas, special diets, and food
supplements except as provided by a hospital or skilled nursing
facility during a confinement for which benefits are available,
except as outlined in Section 31A-22-623;
  (ii)  any devices used to aid hearing, including cochlear
implants, the fitting of such devices and any routine hearing
tests;
  (jj)  acupuncture or acupressure;
  (kk)  speech therapy for psychosocial speech delays;
  (ll)  all shipping, handling, or postage charges except as
incidentally provided, without a separate charge, in connection
with covered services or supplies;
  (mm)  interest or finance charges except as specifically
required by law;
  (nn)  charges for missed appointments, telephone
consultations, and clerical services for completion of special
reports or claim forms;
  (oo)  travel expenses, whether or not prescribed;
  (pp)  care, except urgent or emergency care, rendered outside
the United States;
  (qq)  services provided by a member of the person's immediate
family or household; and
  (rr)  autopsy procedures.

 

(11) The basic health care plan is to be filed with the department before use.

(12) Conversion coverage provided pursuant to Section 31A-22-723, may provide additional benefits in addition to the Basic Health Care Plan.

 

R590-175-4. Enforcement Date.

The commissioner will begin enforcing the revised provisions of this rule 45 days from the rule's effective date.

 

R590-175-5. Severability.

If a provision of this rule or its application to any person or circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid, the remainder of the rule and the application of these provisions shall not be affected.

 

KEY: insurance

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: August 13, 2009

Notice of Continuation: November 8, 2005

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 31A-22-613.5]

 


Additional Information

The Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the Bulletin is the official version. The PDF version of this issue is available at https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/bull-pdf/2010/b20100501.pdf. The HTML edition of the Bulletin is a convenience copy. Any discrepancy between the PDF version and HTML version is resolved in favor of the PDF version.

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Jilene Whitby at the above address, by phone at 801-538-3803, by FAX at 801-538-3829, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected].