Virginia House Bill 315 Conversion or Continuation of Group Health Coverage The Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 315 on April 10, 2010, which is an act to amend and reenact § 38.2-3541 of the Code of Virginia, relating to conversion or continuation of group health coverage upon termination of eligibility. The bill expands the ability of a person who becomes ineligible for coverage under a group health insurance policy to exercise the option to continue coverage under the group policy. The measure (i) extends the maximum length of continued coverage from 90 days to 12 months; (ii) allows premiums to be paid monthly; and (iii) requires the policyholder to inform the persons insured under the group policy of the option. The notice shall be provided within 14 days of the policyholder's knowledge of the covered person's loss of eligibility under the group policy. The measure also retains the policyholder's option to have the issuer issue an individual policy to the covered person who loses eligibility, and the maximum period for applying for such a policy is extended from 31 to 60 days after loss of eligibility. House Bill is located by clicking here. (Added 05/19/2010) North Carolina House Bill 589 - Payment for Hearing Aids House Bill 589, regarding payment for hearing aids, was signed into law by North Carolina’s Governor. This bill requires every health benefit plan, including the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees, to provide coverage for one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear (up to $2,500 per hearing aid) every 36 months for covered individuals under age 22. Nothing prevents an insurer from applying utilization review criteria to determine medical necessity as defined by G.S. 58-50-61, as long as it does so in accordance with all requirements for utilization review programs and medical necessity determinations specified in that section, including the offering of an insurer appeal process and, if applicable, a health benefit plans external review. House Bill 589 is located by clicking here. (Added 06/08/10) South Carolina Senate Bill 1224 The South Carolina General Assembly recently ratified Senate Bill 1224 and sent it to the Governor for signature. This bill addresses numerous issues, including: amending the code of laws of South Carolina, 1976, so as to enact "Michelle’s Law;" amending section 38-71-850, relating to the definition of "creditable coverage" for group health insurance coverage and special enrollment in group health insurance coverage; and amending Chapter 93, Title 38, relating to the privacy of genetic information. Senate bill is located by clicking here. (Added 06/08/10) House Bill 3371 – Health Care Insurance Continuation of Care Provisions The Governor of South Carolina signed House Bill 3371 into law on March 31, 2010, addressing insurer liability for continuity of care for members, following the network termination or nonrenewal of a healthcare provider. Although effective at signature date, the law applies to individual health plans, group health plans, or health benefit plans (including the state health plan) that are issued, renewed, delivered, or entered into after December 31, 2010. House Bill 3371 is located by clicking here. (Added 04/15/10) MedCost provides summary information on legislative topics as a service only. While every effort is made to ensure the correctness of these statements, it is the responsibility of each client, employer, and/or provider to research each topic thoroughly and take the necessary steps to assure compliance.