Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 175

FORMERLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 64

AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 35 OF TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO GROUP AND BLANKET HEALTH INSURANCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 35, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by deleting the Chapter in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following new Chapter which shall read as follows:

"CHAPTER 35. GROUP AND BLANKET HEALTH INSURANCE Subchapter 1. Group Health Insurance §3501. Group policies must meet group requirements

Except as provided in §3509 herein, no policy of group health insurance shall be delivered in this State unless it conforms to one of the descriptions contained in §3502 through §3508.

§3502. Emoloyee groups

fa) A policy may be issued to an employer, or to the trustees of a fund established by an employer, which employer or trustees shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure employees of the employer for the benefit of persons other than the employer, subject to the following requirements:

(1) The employees eligible for insurance under the policy shall be all of the employees of the employer, or all of any class or classes thereof. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include the employees of one or more subsidiary corporations, and the employees, individual proprietors, and partners of one or more affiliated corporations, proprietorships or partnerships if the business of the employer and of such affiliated corporations, proprietorships or partnerships is under common control. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include the individual proprietor or partners if the employer is an individual proprietorship or partnership. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include retired employees, former employees and directors of a corporate employer. A policy issued to insure the employees of a public body may provide that the term "employees" shall include elected or appointed o'ficials. The policy may provide that the term "employee" does not include Orm laborers employed in agriculture.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid either from the employer's funds or from funds contributed by the insured employees, or from both. Except as provided in Subsection (3), a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured employees must insure all eligible employees, except those who reject such coverage in writing.

(3) An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3503. Debtor grown

(a) A policy may be issued to a creditor or its parent holding company or to a trustee or trustees or agent designated by two or more creditors, which creditor, holding company, affiliate, trustee, trustees or agent shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure debtors of the creditors with respect to their indebtedness, subject to the following requirements:

(1) The debtors eligible for insurance under the policy shall be all of the debtors of the creditor or creditors, or all of any class or classes thereof. The policy may provide that the term "debtors" shall include:

a. borrowers of money or purchasers of lessees of goods, services, or property for which payment is arranged through a lease or credit transaction;

b. the debtors or one or more subsidiary corporations; and

c. the debtors of one or more affiliated corporations, proprietorships or partnerships if the business of the policyholder and of such affiliated corporations, proprietorships or partnerships is under common control.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid either from the creditor's funds, or from charges collected from the insured debtors, or from both. Except as provided in Subsection (3), a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by insured debtors specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible debtors.

(3) An insurer may exclude any debtors as to whom evidence of individual Insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

(4) The total amount of insurance payable with respect to an indebtedness shall not exceed the greater of the total of scheduled payments or actual amount of unpaid indebtedness as to the creditor. The insurer may exclude any payments which are delinquent on the date the debtor becomes disabled as defined in the policy.

(5) The insurance may be payable to the creditor or any successor to the right, title, and interest of the creditor. Such payment or payments shall
reduce or extinguish the unpaid indebtedness of the debtor to the extent of each such payment and any excess of the insurance shall be payable to the insured or the estate of the insured.

(6) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section, insurance on agricultural credit transaction commitments may be written up to the amount of the loan commitment. Insurance on educational credit transaction commitments
may be written up to the amount of the loan commitment less the amount of any repayments made on the loan.

§3504. Labor union employee organization groups

(a) A policy may be issued to a labor union, or similar employee organization which shall be deemed to be the policyholder, to insure members of such union or organization for the benefit of persons other than the union or organization or any of its officials, representatives, or agent, subject to the following requirements:

(1) The members eligible for insurance under the policy shall be all of the members of the union or organization, or all of any class or classes thereof.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid either from funds of the union or organization, or from funds contributed by the insured members specifically for their insurance, or from both. Except as provided in Subsection (3), a
policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured members specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible members, except those who reject such coverage in writing.

(1) An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3505. Trustee grown

(a) A policy may be issued to a trust, or to the trustee(s) of a fund, established or adopted by two or more employers, or by one or more labor unions or similar employee organizations, or by one or more employers and one or more labor unions or similar employee organizations, which trust or trustee(s) shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure employees of the employers or members of the unions or organizations for the benefit of persons other than the employers or the unions or organizations, subject to the following requirements:

(1) The persons eligible for insurance shall be all of the employees of the employers or all of the members of the unions or organizations, or all of any class or classes thereof. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include the employees of one or more subsidiary corporations, and the employees, individual proprietors, and partners of one or more affiliated

corporations, proprietorships or partnerships if the business of the employer and of such affiliated corporations, proprietorships or partnerships is under common control. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include the individual proprietor or partners if the employer is an individual proprietorship or partnership. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include retired employees, former employees and directors of a corporate employer. The policy may provide that the term "employees" shall include the trustees or their employees, or both, if their duties are principally connected with such trusteeship.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the employer or employers of the insured persons, or by the union or unions or similar employee organizations, or by both, or from funds contributed by the insured persons from both the insured persons and the employer(s) or union(s) or similar employee organizationsts). Except as provided in Subsection (3), a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured persons specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject such coverage in writing.

(3) An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3506. Association groups

(a) A policy may be issued to an association or to a trust or to the trustee(s) of a fund established, created, or maintained for the benefit of members of one or more associations. The association or associations shall have at the outset a minimum of 100 persons and have been organized and maintained in good faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance; shall have been in active existence for at least one year; and shall have a constitution and by-laws, statement of organization or substantially similar document which provide that (i) the association or associations hold regular meetings not less than annually to further purposes of the members, (ii) except for credit unions, the association or associations collect dues or solicit contributions from members, and (iii) the members have voting privileges and representation on the governing board of committees. The policy shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) The policy may insure members of such association or associations, employees thereof or employees of members, or one or more of the preceding or all of any class or classes thereof for the benefit of persons other than the employees' employer.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the association or associations, or by employer members, or by both, or from funds contributed by the covered persons or from both the covered persons and the association, associations, or employer members.

(3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the covered persons specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject such coverage in writing.

(4) An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3507. Credit union groups

(a) A policy may be issued to a credit union or to a trustee or trustees or agent designated by two or more credit unions, which credit union, trustee, trustees, or agent shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure members of such credit unions for the benefit or persons other than the credit union or credit unions, trustee or trustees, or agent or any of their officials, subject to the following requirements:

(1) The members eligible for insurance shall be all of the members of the credit union or credit unions, or all of any class or classes thereof.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid by the policyholder from the credit union's funds and, except as provided in Subsection (3), must insure all eligible members.

(3) An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any member as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3508. Discretionary Grown

A policy may be issued to any other substantially similar group, which in the discretion of the Commissioner, may be subject to the issuance of a group health policy or contract.

§3509. Peauirements for other arms: out—of—state groups

(a) Group health insurance offered to a resident of this State under a group health insurance policy issued to a group other than those described in 553502 through 3508 shall be subject, where applicable, to the requirements of Subsections (b) through (e) of this Section.

(b) No such group health insurance policy shall be delivered in this State unless the Commissioner finds that:

(1) the issuance of such group policy is not contrary to the best interest of the public;

(2) the issuance of the group policy would result in economies of acquisition or administration; and

(3) the benefits are reasonable in relation to the premiums charged.

(c) No such group health insurance coverage may be offered in this State by an insurer under a policy issued in another state unless this state or another state having requirements substantially similar to those contained in Subsections (b) (1), (2), and (3), has made a determination that such requirements have been met.

(d) The premium for the policy shall be paid either from the policyholders funds or from funds contributed by the covered persons or from both.

(e) An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3510. Disclosure requirements for_other grown

(a) With respect to a program of insurance which if issued on a group basis would not qualify under §§3502 through 3508 of this Chapter, if compensation of any kind will or may be paid to, (1) a policyholder or sponsoring or endorsing entity in the case of a group policy, of (2) a sponsoring or endorsing entity in the case of individual blanket or franchise policies marketed by means of direct response solicitation, then in such cases the insurer shall cause to be distributed to prospective insureds a written notice that compensation will or may be paid.

(b) The written notice required by §3510(a) shall be distributed

(1) whether compensation is direct or indirect, and

(2) whether such compensation is paid to or retained by the policyholder or sponsoring or endorsing entity, or paid to or retained by a third party at the direction of the policyholder or sponsoring or endorsing entity, or any entity affiliated therewith by way of ownership, contract or employment.

(c) The notice required by §3510(a} shall be placed on or accompany any application or enrollment form provided prospective insureds.

(d) As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

(1) 'direct response solicitation' means a solicitation through a
sponsoring or endorsing entity through the mails, telephone or other mass communications media;

(1) 'sponsoring or endorsing entity' means an organization which has arranged for the offering of a program of insurance in a manner which communicates that eligibility for participation in the program is dependent upon affiliation with such organization or that it encourages participation in the program.

§3511. Dependents coverage

(a) Except for a policy issued under §3503, a group health insurance policy may be extended to insure the employees or members with respect to their family members or dependents, or any class or classes thereof, subject to the following:

(1) The premium for the insurance shall be paid either from funds contributed by the employer, union, association, or other person to whom the policy has been issued, or from funds contributed by the covered person, or from both. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2), a policy on which no part
of the premium for the family members or dependents coverage is to be derived from funds contributed by the covered persons must insure all eligible employees or members with respect to their family members or dependents, or any class or classes thereof.

(2) An insurer may exclude or limit the overage on any family member or dependent as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

§3512. Group health insurance standard provisions

No policy of group health insurance shall be delivered in this State unless it contains in substance the provisions set forth in §§3513 through 3527 or provisions which in the opinion of the Commissioner are more favorable to persons insured, or at least as favorable to the persons insured and more favorable to the policyholder, provided, however, (a) that §3517, §3519, §3524, §3528 and §3529 shall not apply to policies insuring persons under §3503; (b) that the standard provisions required for individual health insurance policies shall not apply to group health insurance policies; and (c) that if any provision of this Section is in whole or in part inapplicable to or inconsistent with the coverage provided by a particular form of policy, the insurer, with the approval of the Commissioner, shall omit from such policy any inapplicable provision or part of a provision, and shall modify any inconsistent provision or part of the provision in such manner as to make the provision as contained in the policy consistent with the coverage provided by the policy.

§3513. Grace period

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the policyholder is entitled to a grace period of thirty-one days for the payment of any premium due except the first, during which grace period the policy shall continue in force, unless the policyholder shall have given the insurer written notice of discontinuance in advance of the date of discontinuance and in accordance with the terms of the policy. The policy may provide that the policyholder shall be liable to the insurer for the payment of a pro-rata premium for the time the policy was in force during such grace period.

§3514. Incontestability

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the validity of the policy shall not be contested except for nonpayment of premiums, after it has been in force for two years from its date of issue; and that no statement made by any person covered under the policy relating to insurability shall be used in contesting the validity of the insurance with respect to which such statement was made after such insurance has been in force prior to the contest for a period of two years during such person's lifetime nor unless it is contained in a written instrument signed by the person making such statement; provided, however, that no such provision shall preclude the assertion at any time of defenses based upon the person's ineligibility for coverage under the policy or upon other provisions in the policy.

§3515. Application* statements deemed representations

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that a copy of the application, if any, of the policyholder shall be attached to the policy when issued, that all statements made by the policyholder or by the persons insured shall be deemed representations and not warranties, and that no statement made by any person insured shall be used in any contest unless a copy of the instrument containing the statement is or has been furnished to such person or, in the event of the death or incapacity of the insured person, to the individual's beneficiary or personal representative.

§3516. Insurability

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision setting forth the conditions, if any, under which the insurer reserves the right to require a person eligible for insurance to furnish evidence of individual insurability satisfactory to the insurer as a condition to part or all of the individual's coverage.

§3517. Pre-existing conditions: limits

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision specifying the additional exclusions or limitations, if any, applicable under the policy with respect to a disease or physical condition of a person, not otherwise excluded from the person's coverage by name or specific description effective on the date of the person's loss, which existed prior to the effective date of the person's coverage under the policy. Any such exclusion or limitation may only apply to a disease or physical condition for which medical advice or treatment was received by the person during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the person's coverage. In no event shall such exclusion or limitation apply to loss incurred or disability commencing after the earlier of (a) the end of a continuous period of 12 months commencing on or after the effective date of the person's coverage during all of which the person has received no medical advice or treatment in connection with such disease or physical condition; and (b) the end of the two-year period commencing on the effective date of the person's coverage.

§3518. Miltatement of age

If the premiums of benefits vary by age, there shall be a provision specifying an equitable adjustment of premiums or of benefits, or both, to be made in the event the age of a covered person has been mistated, such provision to contain a clear statement of the method of adjustment to be used.

§3519. Certificate

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the insurer will issue to the policyholder for delivery to each person insured a certificate setting forth a statement as to the insurance protection to which that person is entitled, to whom the insurance benefits are payable, and a statement as to any family member's or dependent's coverage.

§3520. Notice of claim

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that written notice of claim must be given to the Insurer within 20 days after the occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the policy. Failure to give notice within such time shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to give such notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.

§3521. Claim forms

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the insurer will furnish to the person making claim, or to the policyholder for delivery to such person, such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proof of loss. If such forms are not furnished before the expiration of 15 days after the insurer receives notice of any claim under the policy, the person making such claim shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of the policy as to proof of loss upon submitting within the time fixed in the policy for filing proof of loss, written proof covering the occurrence, character, and extent of the loss for which claim is made.

§3522. Proofs of loss• disability

When applicable, a group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that in the case of claim for loss of time for disability, written proof of such loss must be furnished to the insurer within 90 days after the commencement of the period for which the insurer is liable, and that subsequent written proofs of the continuance of such disability must be furnished to the insurer at such intervals as the insurer may reasonably require, and that in the case of claim for any other loss, written proof of such loss must be furnished to the insurer within 90 days after the date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within such time shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it was not reasonably possible to furnish

such proof within such time, provided such proof is furnished as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in the absence of legal capacity of the claimant, later than one year form the time proof is otherwise required.

§3523 Time for payment of benefits

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that all benefits payable under the policy other than benefits for loss of time will be payable not more than 60 days after receipt of proof, and that, subject to due proof of loss, all accrued benefits payable under the policy for loss of time will be paid not less frequently than monthly during the continuance of the period for which the insurer is liable, and that any balance remaining unpaid at the termination of such period will be paid as soon as possible after receipt of such proof.

§3524. Payment of benefits

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that benefits for loss of life of the person insured shall be payable to the beneficiary designated by the person insured. However, if the policy contains conditions pertaining to family status the beneficiary may be the family member specified by the policy terms. In either case, payment of these benefits is subject to the provisions of the policy in the event no such designated or specified beneficiary is living at the death of the person insured. All other benefits of the policy shall be payable to the person insured. The policy may also provide that if any benefit is payable to the estate of a person, or to a person who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the insurer may pay such benefit, up to an amount not exceeding $5,000, to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of such person who is deemed by the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto.

§3525. Physical examinations

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the insurer shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person or the individual for whom claim is made when and so often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of claim under the policy and also the right and opportunity to make an autopsy in the case of death where it is not prohibited by law.

§3526. Legal actions

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that no action at law or in equity shall be brought to recover on the policy prior to the expiration or 90 days after proof of loss has been filed in accordance with the requirements of the policy and that no such action shall be brought at all unless brought within three years form the expiration of the time within which proof of loss is required by the policy.

§3527. Information to debtors

In the case of a policy insuring debtors, such as a group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the insurer will furnish to the policyholder for delivery to each debtor insured under the policy a certificate of insurance describing the coverage and specifying that the benefits payable shall first be applied to reduce or extinguish the indebtedness.

§3528. Direct Payment of hospital. medical services

Any group health policy may provide that all or any portion of any indemnities provided by any such policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical or surgical services may, at the insurer's option, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services, but the policy may not require that the service be rendered by a particular hospital or person. Payments so made shall discharge the insurer's obligation with respect to the amount of insurance so paid.

§3529. Readjustment of premiums: dividends

Any contract of group health insurance may provide for the readjustment of the rate of premium based upon the experience thereunder. If a policy dividend is hereafter declared or a reduction in rate is hereafter made or continued for the first or any subsequent year of insurance under any policy of group health insurance heretofore or hereafter issued to any policyholder, the excess, if any, of the aggregate dividends or rate reductions under such policy and all other group insurance policies of the policyholder over the aggregate expenditure for insurance

under such policies made from funds contributed by the policyholder, or by an employer of insured persons, or by a union or association to which the insured persons belong, including expenditures made in connection with administration of such policies, shall be applied by the policyholder for the sole benefit of insured employees or members.

Subchapter II. Blanket Health Insurance

§3540. 'Blanket health insurance' defined

Blanket health insurance is hereby declared to be that form of health insurance covering groups of persons as enumerated in one of the following subdivisions:

(1) Under a policy or contract issued to any common carrier or to any operator, owner or lessee of a means of transportation, who or which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering a group of persons who may become passengers defined by reference to their travel status on such common carrier or such means of transportation;

(2) Under a policy or contract issued to an employer, who shall be deemed the policyholder, covering any group of employees, dependents or guests, defined by reference to specified hazards incident to an activity or activities or operation of the policyholder;

(3) Under a policy or contract issued to a college, school or other institution of learning, a school district or districts, or school
jurisdictional unit, or to the head, principal or governing board of any such educational unit, who or which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering students, teachers, or employees;

(4) Under a policy or contract issued to any religious, charitable, recreational, educational or civic organization, or branch thereof, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering any group of members or participants defined by reference to specified hazards incident to any activity or activities or operations sponsored or supervised by such policyholder;

(5) Under a policy or contract issued to a sports team, camp or sponsor thereof, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering members, campers, employees, officials or supervisors;

(6) Under a policy or contract issued to any volunteer fire department, first aid, civil defense or other such volunteer organization, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering any group of members or participants defined by reference to specified hazards incident to an activity or activities or operations sponsored or supervised by such policyholder;

(7) under a policy or contract issued to a newspaper or other publisher, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering its carriers;

(8) Under a policy or contract issued to an association, including a labor union, which has a constitution and bylaws, statement of organization or substantially similar document and which has been organized and is maintained in good faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering any group of members or participants defined by reference to specified hazards incident to an activity or activities or operations sponsored or supervised by such policyholder;

(9) Under a policy or contact issued to cover any other risk or class of risks which, in the discretion of the Commissioner, may be properly eligible for blanket health insurance. The discretion of the Commissioner may be
exercised on an individual risk basis or class of risks, or both.

§3541. Filing and_reauired arovisions in blanket policiel

Any insurer authorized to write health insurance in this State shall have the power to issue blanket health insurance. No such blanket policy, except as provided in §2712 of this Title, may be issued or delivered in this State unless a copy of the form thereof shall have been filed in accordance with such §2712. Every such blanket policy shall contain provisions which in the opinion of the Commissioner are not less favorable to the policyholder and the individual insured than the following:

(1) A provision that the policy, including endorsements, copies of the applications, if any, of the policyholder and the persons insured shall constitute the entire contract between the parties, and that any statement made by the policyholder or by a person insured shall, in absence of fraud, be deemed a representation and not a warranty and that no such statements shall be used in defense to a claim under the policy, unless contained in a written application. Such person, his beneficiary, or assignee, shall have the right to make written request to the insurer for a copy of such application and the insurer shall, within 15 days after the receipt of such request at its home office or any branch office of the insurer, deliver or mail to the person making such request a copy of such application. Such written request shall provide the insurer with the full name and address of the insured, the policyowner and the policy number if known, or the written request shall contain such information that the insurer can reasonably be expected to locate the application. If such copy shall not be so delivered or mailed, the insurer shall be precluded from introducing such application as evidence in any action based upon or involving any statements contained therein.

(2) A provision that written notice of sickness or of injury must be given to the insurer within 20 days after the date when such sickness or injury occurred. Failure to give notice within such time shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to give such notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.

(3) A provision that the insurer will furnish either to the claimant or to the policyholder for delivery to the claimant such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proof of loss. If such forms are not furnished
before he expiration of 15 days after giving of such notice, the claimant shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of the policy as to proof of loss upon submitting, within the time fixed in the policy for filing proof of loss, written proof covering the occurrence, the character and the extent of the loss for which claim is made.

(4) A provision that in the case of claim for loss of time for disability, written proof of such loss must be furnished to the insurer within 90 days after the commencement of the period for which the insurer is liable, and that subsequent written proofs of the continuance of such disability must be furnished to the insurer at such intervals as the insurers may reasonably require and that in the case of claim for any other loss, written proof of such loss must be furnished to the insurer within 90 days after the date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within such time shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to furnish such proof and that such proof was furnished as soon as was reasonably possible.

(5) A provision that all benefits payable under the policy other than benefits for loss of time will be payable immediately upon receipt of due written proof of such loss, and that, subject to due proof of loss, all accrued benefits payable under the policy for loss of time will be paid not less frequently than monthly during the continuance of the period for which the insurer is liable and that any balance remaining unpaid at the termination of such period will be paid immediately upon receipt of such proof.

(6) A provision that the insurer at its own expense shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and so often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of claim under the policy and also the right and opportunity to make an autopsy where it is not prohibited by law.

(7) A provision that no action at law or in equity shall be brought to recover under the policy prior to the expiration of 60 days after written proof of loss has been furnished in accordance with the requirements of the policy and that no such action shall be brought after the expiration of 3 years after the time written proof of loss is required to be furnished.

§3542. Application and certificates not required

An individual application need not be required from a person covered under a blanket health policy or contract nor shall it be necessary for the insurer to furnish each person a certificate.

§3543. Payments of benefits under blanket policy

All benefits under any blanket health policy or contract shall be payable to the person insured, or to his designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to his estate, except that if the person insured be a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, such benefits may be made payable to his parent, guardian or other person actually supporting him, Except, however, that the policy may provide that all or a portion of any indemnities provided by any such policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical or surgical services may, at the option of the insurer, and unless the insured requests otherwise in writing not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services, but the policy may not require that the service by rendered by a particular hospital or person. Payment so made shall discharge the obligation of the insurer with respect to the amount of insurance so paid.

Subchapter III. Provisions Applicable to Group and Blanket Health Insurance §3550. Newborn children

All group and blanket health insurance polices providing coverage for a family member of the insured or a subscriber shall, as to such family member's coverage, also provide that the health insurance benefits applicable for children shall be payable with respect to a newly born child of the insured or subscriber from the moment of birth in accordance with §3335 of this Title.

§3551. filing of rates

Except for credit health insurance, the rates of group health insurance and blanket health insurance shall be filed pursuant to and be subject to the requirements of Chapter 25 of this Title. Rates for credit health insurance shall be filed pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 37 of this Title.

Section 2. This Act shall not apply to any group or blanket health insurance policies

entered into or issued before the effective date of this Act, nor to any extension, renewals, modifications or amendments to such policies, whenever made.

Section 3. This Act shall become effective 180 days after its enactment into law.

Approved July 16, 1987.