You want to know how many different small business health care plans are approved in Connecticut.

The Insurance Department does not count the different small business health care plans that insurance carriers market in the state. The law only requires that health insurance carriers file with, and the Insurance Department approve, individual and group policy forms issued by indemnity insurers, managed care organizations, and hospital and medical service corporations (CGS §§ 38a-183, -208, -218, -481, and

-513).

As of June 2001, 29 insurers and HMOs have filed small employer policies with the Insurance Department.

The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (P. L. 104-191) requires guaranteed availability of health coverage in the small group market, which under federal law consists of from two to 50 employees. Guaranteed availability means that insurance carriers must make every health care plan they market to small businesses available to the whole group and to all people within the group. The act also requires guaranteed renewal of small group policies except if (1) the premium is not paid; (2) fraud is committed; (3) the policy is discontinued in accordance with state law; or (4) the carrier discontinues coverage.

Connecticut's Small Employer Health Plan Law covers employers with one to 50 employees. HMOs must offer the plan to all small employers (CGS § 38a-564).

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