Bill Title
To require that limitations and restrictions on coverage under group health plans be timely disclosed to group health plan sponsors and timely communicated to participants and beneficiaries under such plans in a form that is easily understandable.
Committees
House Energy and Commerce; House Education and Labor; House Ways and Means; Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Bill Summary
Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to exclude a group health plan from prohibitions against limitations or restrictions on the amount, level, extent, or nature of the benefits of coverage for similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan so long as: (1) such limitations and restrictions are explicit and clear; (2) such limitations and restrictions have been disclosed to the plan sponsor in writing in advance of the point of sale; (3) the plan sponsor provides a description of such limitations and restrictions to participants and beneficiaries in a form that is easily understandable before enrollment; and (4) the plan sponsor and the issuer of the coverage provide such description to the participants and beneficiaries upon their enrollment under the plan at the earliest opportunity that other materials are provided.
Bill
Sponsor
Committee
House Energy and Commerce; House Education and Labor; House Ways and Means; Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Date
March 31, 2009
Question
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Vote Type
2/3 YEA-AND-NAY
Result
Passed
Description
Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act