Virginia Law

Article 2. Individual Accident and Sickness Insurance Minimum Standards.

The purpose of this article is to authorize the Commission, pursuant to the authority granted in § 38.2-223, to issue rules and regulations to:

1. Establish the minimum standards for filing of policy forms for individual and small group health benefit plans as defined in § 38.2-3438;

2. Establish the minimum standards, terms, and coverages for individual and group accident and sickness policies known as excepted benefits, as defined in § 38.2-3431; and

3. Establish the minimum standards for short-term limited-duration insurance.

The Commission shall ensure that policy standards are simple and understandable and are not misleading or unreasonably confusing and that the sale of such policies provides for full disclosure.

1980, c. 204, § 38.1-362.11; 1986, c. 562; 2022, c. 531.

As used in this article:

"Form" means a policy, rider, endorsement, amendment, application, enrollment form, certificate of insurance, evidence of coverage, group agreement, supplemental agreement, or any other form required to be filed with or approved by the Commission.

"Policy" means an insurance policy, contract, certificate, evidence of coverage, or other agreement of insurance, including any attached rider, endorsement, or application.

1980, c. 204, § 38.1-362.12; 1986, c. 562; 2022, c. 531.

A. Pursuant to the authority granted in § 38.2-223, the Commission may issue rules and regulations to establish standards for the sale of individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies. These rules and regulations shall be in addition to and in accordance with applicable laws of the Commonwealth, including Chapter 34 (§ 38.2-3400 et seq.), Article 1 (§ 38.2-3500 et seq.), this article, and Article 3 (§ 38.2-3521.1 et seq.).

B. Pursuant to the authority granted in § 38.2-223, the Commission may issue rules and regulations that specify prohibited policies or policy provisions not otherwise specifically authorized by statute that in the opinion of the Commission are unjust, unfair, or unfairly discriminatory to the policyowner, beneficiary, or any person insured under the policy.

1980, c. 204, § 38.1-362.13; 1981, c. 575; 1986, c. 562; 2022, c. 531.

A. Pursuant to the authority granted in § 38.2-223, the Commission may issue rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for benefits under any of the categories of policies known as excepted benefits.

B. No excepted benefits policy shall be delivered or issued for delivery in the Commonwealth that does not meet the prescribed minimum standards established by the Commission or does not meet the requirements set forth in § 38.2-3501.

C. The Commission may prescribe the method of identification of policies based upon coverages provided.

1980, c. 204, § 38.1-362.14; 1986, c. 562; 2022, c. 531.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 38.2-3503, if an insurer elects to use a simplified application form, with or without a specific question as to the applicant's health, but without any detailed questions concerning the insured's health history or medical treatment history, the policy shall cover any loss occurring after twelve months from the effective date of coverage from any preexisting condition not specifically excluded from coverage by terms of the policy. Except as so provided, the policy shall not include wording that would permit a defense based upon preexisting conditions.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply in any instance in which the provisions of this section are inconsistent or in conflict with a provision of Article 6 (§ 38.2-3438 et seq.) of Chapter 34.

1980, c. 204, § 38.1-362.15; 1981, c. 575; 1986, c. 562; 2013, c. 751.