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

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 1 or more subsidiary corporations, and the employees, individual proprietors and partners of 1 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 officials. The policy may provide that the term “employee” does not include farm 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 paragraph (3) of this section, 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

A policy may be issued to a creditor or its parent holding company or to a trustee or trustees or agent designated by 2 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 or lessees of goods, services or property for which payment is arranged through a lease or credit transaction;

b. The debtors of 1 or more subsidiary corporations; and

c. The debtors of 1 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 paragraph (3) of this section, 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 agents, 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 paragraph (3) of this section, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured members specifically for the insurance must insure all eligible members, 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

A policy may be issued to a trust, or to the trustee or trustees of a fund, established or adopted by 2 or more employers, or by 1 or more labor unions or similar employee organizations, or by 1 or more employers and 1 or more labor unions or similar employee organizations, which trust or trustee or trustees shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure employee of the employer 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 1 or more subsidiary corporations, and the employees, individual proprietors and partners of 1 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 organization(s). Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this section, 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

(a) “Bona fide association” means, with respect to health insurance coverage offered in Delaware, an association which:

(1) Has been actively in existence for at least 5 years;

(2) Has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance and does not condition membership on the purchase of association-sponsored insurance;

(3) Does not condition membership in the association on any health status-related factor relating to an individual (including an employee of an employer or a dependent of an employee) and clearly so states in all membership and application materials;

(4) Makes health insurance coverage offered through the association available to all members regardless of any health status-related factor relating to such members (or individuals eligible for coverage through a member) and clearly so states in all marketing and application materials;

(5) Does not make health insurance coverage offered through the association available other than in connection with a member of the association and clearly so states in all marketing and application materials; and

(6) Provides and annually updates information necessary for the Commissioner to determine whether or not an association meets the definition of a bona fide association before qualifying as a bona fide association for the purposes of this chapter.

(b) An association 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 1 or more of the preceding or all of any class or classes thereof for the benefit of persons other than the employer.

(2) The premium for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the association or associations or by the 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) 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  15; 

A policy may be issued to a credit union or to a trustee or trustees or agent designated by 2 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 of persons other than the credit unit 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 paragraph (3) of this section, 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

(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 §§ 3502-3508 of this title shall be subject, where applicable, to the requirements of subsections (b)-(e) of this section.

(b) No such group health insurance policy shall be delivered or coverage offered 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;

(3) The benefits are reasonable in relation to the premiums charged; and

(4) The group is not affiliated with or controlled by (as those terms are defined in Chapter 50 of this title) an insurer unless approved by the Commissioner.

(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 paragraphs (b)(1)-(4) of this section 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 104, §§  1-4; 

(a) With respect to a program of insurance which if issued on a group basis would not qualify under §§ 3502-3508 of this title, 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; or

(2) A sponsoring or endorsing entity in the case of individual blanket or franchise polices 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 subsection (a) of this section 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 subsection (a) of this section 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;

(2) “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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

Except for a policy issued under § 3503 of this title, 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 (2) of this section, 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 coverage on any family member or dependent as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

No policy of group health insurance shall be delivered in this State unless it contains in substance the provisions set forth in §§ 3513-3527 of this title or provisions which in the opinion of the Commissioner are more favorable to persons insured, or at least a favorable to the persons insured and more favorable to the policyholder; provided, however,

(1) That §§ 3517, 3519, 3524, 3528 and 3529 of this title shall not apply to policies insuring persons under § 3503 of this title;

(2) That the standard provisions required for individual health insurance policies shall not apply to group health insurance policies; and

(3) 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

A group health insurance policy shall contain a provision that the policyholder is entitled to a grace period of 31 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 2 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 2 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 person 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

(a) A group health insurance policy shall not include a provision that excludes coverage, and a health insurer shall not deny a claim under the policy, as a result of a disease or physical condition of a person effective on the date of the person’s loss, which existed prior to the effective date of the person’s coverage under the policy. This subsection shall not apply to accident only; credit; dental; vision; Medicare supplement; benefits for long-term care, home health care, community-based care or any combination thereof; disability income insurance; liability insurance including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance; coverage for on-site medical clinics; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance, worker’s compensation or similar insurance; specified disease, hospital indemnity or other limited benefit health insurance policies; or automobile medical payment insurance.

(b) For those policies not subject to subsection (a) of this section, a group health insurance policy shall contain a provision specifying the additional exclusion 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:

(1) 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

(2) The end of the 2-year period commencing on the effective date of the person’s coverage.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b) of this section, a group health insurance policy issued by a health insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization shall contain a provision which extends coverage for an insured who is hospitalized on the date coverage terminates for a period of 10 consecutive days during a single period of continuous hospitalization, if coverage terminates for any reason except nonpayment of premium. Benefits shall continue at the same level as provided in the terminated policy for the 10-day period.

(d) Following the termination of the 10-day period set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the succeeding insurer, if any, shall provide benefits for an insured who is hospitalized on the effective date of coverage at the level provided in the policy then in force, notwithstanding any preexisting conditions or other similar exclusions contained in the new policy. This provision applies only to a continuing single period of hospitalization.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 323, §  2;  79 Del. Laws, c. 99, §  5; 

If the premiums or 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 misstated, such provision to contain a clear statement of the method of adjustment to be used.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 members’ or dependents’ coverage.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

The nonhospital claim form to be used under this provision is the Health Care Financing Administration Form-1500 or its successor. This form requirement shall not apply to medical payments made by the federal government, prescription drug claims, dental claims or claims using an electronic paperless submission process.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 416, §  2; 

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 1 year from the time proof is otherwise required.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 of 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 3 years from the expiration of the time within which proof of loss is required by the policy.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

In the case of a policy insuring debtors, 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.

66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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.

18 Del. C. 1953, §  3504;  56 Del. Laws, c. 380, §  1;  66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

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 associations 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.

18 Del. C. 1953, §  3505;  56 Del. Laws, c. 380, §  1;  66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §  1; 

78 Del. Laws, c. 141, §  2;  repealed by 82 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 3, effective Aug. 6, 2019.;