Section 33-42-6. Disclosures; provisions; definition of preexisting condition; loss ratio standards; right to return policy; outline of coverage; certificate

   (a) The Commissioner may adopt regulations that include standards for full and fair disclosure setting forth the manner, content, and required disclosures for the sale of long-term care insurance policies and for any applicable terms of renewability, initial and subsequent conditions of eligibility, nonduplication of coverage provisions, coverage of dependents, preexisting conditions, termination of insurance, probationary periods, limitations, exceptions, reductions, elimination periods, requirements for replacement, recurrent conditions, and definition of terms.

(b) No long-term care insurance policy may:

   (1) Be canceled, nonrenewed, or otherwise terminated on the grounds of the age or the deterioration of the mental or physical health of the insured individual or certificate holder;

   (2) Contain a provision establishing a new waiting period in the event existing coverage is converted to or replaced by a new policy or other form of policy within the same company, except with respect to an increase in benefits voluntarily selected by the insured individual or group policyholder; or

   (3) Provide coverage for skilled nursing care only or provide coverage for other levels of care which is unreasonably lower than the coverage provided for skilled nursing care in a facility.
   (c)(1) No long-term care insurance policy or certificate shall use a definition of "preexisting condition" which is more restrictive than the following: Preexisting condition means the existence of symptoms which would cause an ordinarily prudent person to seek diagnosis, care, or treatment, or a condition for which medical advice or treatment was recommended by or received from a provider of health care services, within six months preceding the effective date of coverage of an insured person.

   (2) No long-term care insurance policy may exclude coverage for a loss or confinement which is the result of a preexisting condition unless such loss or confinement begins within six months following the effective date of coverage of an insured person.

   (3) The Commissioner may extend the limitation periods set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection as to specific age group categories or specific policy forms upon findings that the extension is in the best interest of the public.

   (4) The definition of "preexisting condition" shall not prohibit an insurer from using an application form designed to elicit the complete health history of an applicant and, on the basis of the answers on that application, from underwriting in accordance with that insurer's established underwriting standards. Unless otherwise provided in the policy or certificate, a preexisting condition, regardless of whether it is disclosed on the application, need not be covered until the waiting period provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection expires. No long-term care insurance policy or certificate may exclude or use waivers or riders of any kind to exclude, limit, or reduce coverage or benefits for specifically named or described preexisting diseases or physical conditions beyond the waiting period described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
   (d)(1) No long-term care insurance policy which provides benefits only following institutionalization shall condition such benefits upon admission to a facility for the same or related condition within a period of less than 30 days after discharge from the institution.

   (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, no long-term care insurance policy which conditions the eligibility of benefits on prior hospitalization may be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless the insurer or other entity offering that policy also offers a long-term care insurance policy which does not condition eligibility of benefits on such a requirement.

(e) The Commissioner may adopt regulations establishing loss ratio standards for long-term care insurance policies, provided that a specific reference to long-term care insurance policies is contained in the regulation.

(f) Individual long-term care insurance policyholders shall have the right to return the policy within 30 days of its delivery and to have the premium refunded if, after examination of the policy, the policyholder is not satisfied for any reason. Individual long-term care insurance policies shall have a notice prominently printed on the first page of the policy or attached thereto stating in substance that the policyholder shall have the right to return the policy within 30 days of its delivery and to have the premium refunded if, after examination of the policy, the policyholder is not satisfied for any reason. Long-term care insurance policies or certificates issued pursuant to a direct response solicitation shall have a notice prominently printed on the first page or attached thereto stating in substance that the insured person shall have the right to return the policy within 30 days of its delivery and to have the premium refunded if, after examination of the policy or certificate, the insured person is not satisfied for any reason.

(g) An outline of coverage shall be delivered to an applicant for an individual long-term care insurance policy at the time of application for an individual policy. In the case of direct response solicitations, the insurer shall deliver the outline of coverage upon the applicant's request, but regardless of request shall make such delivery no later than at the time of policy delivery. Such outline of coverage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Code Section 33-29-13.

(h) A certificate issued pursuant to a group long-term care insurance policy, which policy is issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state, shall include:

   (1) A description of the principal benefits and coverage provided in the policy;

   (2) A statement of the principal exclusions, reductions, and limitations contained in the policy;

   (3) A statement that the group master policy determines governing contractual provisions; and

   (4) Such other provisions as the Commissioner may reasonably require.

(i) No policy may be advertised, marketed, or offered as long-term care insurance unless it complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Code 1981, § 33-42-6, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 1541, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 894, § 2.