Section 33-43-5. Outline of coverage; informational brochures; captions or notice requirements; disclosure of information regarding replacement of policies, contracts, or certificates

   (a) In order to provide for full and fair disclosure in the sale of medicare supplement policies, no medicare supplement policy or certificate shall be delivered in this state unless an outline of coverage is delivered to the applicant at the time application is made.

(b) The Commissioner shall prescribe the format and content of the outline of coverage required by subsection (a) of this Code section. For purposes of this Code section, "format" means style, arrangements, and overall appearance, including such items as the size, color, and prominence of type and arrangement of text and captions. Such outline of coverage shall include:

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

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

   (3) A statement of the renewal provisions, including any reservation by the issuer of a right to change premiums; and

   (4) A statement that the outline of coverage is a summary of the policy issued or applied for and that the policy should be consulted to determine governing contractual provisions.

(c) The Commissioner may prescribe by regulation a standard form and the contents of an informational brochure for persons eligible for medicare, which is intended to improve the buyer's ability to select the most appropriate coverage and improve the buyer's understanding of medicare. Except in the case of direct response insurance policies, the Commissioner may require by regulation that the informational brochure be provided to any prospective insureds eligible for medicare concurrently with delivery of the outline of coverage. With respect to direct response insurance policies, the Commissioner may require by regulation that the prescribed brochure be provided upon request to any prospective insureds eligible for medicare, but in no event shall the brochure be provided later than the time of policy delivery.

(d) The Commissioner may prescribe by regulation for captions or notice requirements, determined to be in the public interest and designed to inform prospective insureds that particular insurance coverages are not medicare supplement coverages for all accident and sickness insurance policies sold to persons eligible for medicare, other than:

   (1) Medicare supplement policies; or

   (2) Disability income policies.

(e) The Commissioner may adopt reasonable regulations to govern the full and fair disclosure of the information in connection with the replacement of accident and sickness policies, subscriber contracts, or certificates by persons eligible for medicare.

Code 1981, § 33-43-5, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 1395, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 705, § 20.