CHAPTER 706c
CONNECTICUT HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE

      Sec. 38a-1080. Definitions. For purposes of sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive:

      (1) "Board" means the board of directors of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange;

      (2) "Commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner;

      (3) "Exchange" means the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange established pursuant to section 38a-1081;

      (4) "Affordable Care Act" means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, P.L. 111-152, as both may be amended from time to time, and regulations adopted thereunder;

      (5) (A) "Health benefit plan" means an insurance policy or contract offered, delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in the state by a health carrier to provide, deliver, pay for or reimburse any of the costs of health care services.

      (B) "Health benefit plan" does not include:

      (i) Coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (14), (15) and (16) of section 38a-469 or any combination thereof;

      (ii) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;

      (iii) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability insurance;

      (iv) Workers' compensation insurance;

      (v) Automobile medical payment insurance;

      (vi) Credit insurance;

      (vii) Coverage for on-site medical clinics; or

      (viii) Other similar insurance coverage specified in regulations issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, P.L. 104-191, as amended from time to time, under which benefits for health care services are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits.

      (C) "Health benefit plan" does not include the following benefits if they are provided under a separate insurance policy, certificate or contract or are otherwise not an integral part of the plan:

      (i) Limited scope dental or vision benefits;

      (ii) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based care or any combination thereof; or

      (iii) Other similar, limited benefits specified in regulations issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, P.L. 104-191, as amended from time to time;

      (iv) Other supplemental coverage, similar to coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (9) and (14) of section 38a-469, provided under a group health plan.

      (D) "Health benefit plan" does not include coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (3) and (13) of section 38a-469 or other fixed indemnity insurance if (i) such coverage is provided under a separate insurance policy, certificate or contract, (ii) there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, and (iii) the benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits were also provided under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor;

      (6) "Health care services" has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-478;

      (7) "Health carrier" means an insurance company, fraternal benefit society, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation health care center or other entity subject to the insurance laws and regulations of the state or the jurisdiction of the commissioner that contracts or offers to contract to provide, deliver, pay for or reimburse any of the costs of health care services;

      (8) "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time;

      (9) "Person" has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-1;

      (10) "Qualified dental plan" means a limited scope dental plan that has been certified in accordance with subsection (e) of section 38a-1086;

      (11) "Qualified employer" has the same meaning as provided in Section 1312 of the Affordable Care Act;

      (12) "Qualified health plan" means a health benefit plan that has in effect a certification that the plan meets the criteria for certification described in Section 1311(c) of the Affordable Care Act and section 38a-1086;

      (13) "Qualified individual" has the same meaning as provided in Section 1312 of the Affordable Care Act;

      (14) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

      (15) "Small employer" has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-564.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1081. Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange. Board of directors. Chief executive officer. Employees. (a) There is hereby created as a body politic and corporate, constituting a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the state created for the performance of an essential public and governmental function, to be known as the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange. The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange shall not be construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state. The exchange shall serve both qualified individuals and qualified employers.

      (b) (1) The powers of the exchange shall be vested in and exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist of eleven voting members. The appointment of the initial board members shall be as follows:

      (A) The Governor shall appoint two board members, one of whom shall have expertise in the area of individual health insurance coverage and shall serve for a term of three years and one of whom shall have expertise in issues relating to small employer health insurance coverage and shall serve for a term of two years;

      (B) The president pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint one board member who shall have expertise in the area of health care finance and shall serve for a term of four years;

      (C) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one board member who shall have expertise in the area of health care benefits plan administration and shall serve for a term of four years;

      (D) The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint one board member who shall have expertise in the health care delivery systems and shall serve for a term of two years;

      (E) The majority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one board member who shall have expertise in the area of health care economics and shall serve for a term of one year;

      (F) The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint one board member who shall have expertise in health care access issues faced by self-employed individuals and shall serve for a term of three years;

      (G) The minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one board member who shall have expertise concerning barriers to individual health care coverage and shall serve for a term of two years;

      (H) The Commissioner of Social Services, the Special Advisor to the Governor on Healthcare Reform and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or their designees, who shall serve as ex-officio voting board members; and

      (I) The Insurance Commissioner, the Commissioner of Public Health and the Healthcare Advocate, or their designees, who shall serve as ex-officio nonvoting board members.

      (2) (A) No appointee shall be employed by, a consultant to, a member of the board of directors of, affiliated with or otherwise a representative of (i) an insurer, (ii) an insurance producer or broker, (iii) a health care provider, or (iv) a health care facility or health or medical clinic while serving on the board or on the staff of the exchange. For purposes of this subdivision, "health care provider" means any person that is licensed in this state, or operates or owns a facility or institution in this state, to provide health care or health care professional services in this state, or an officer, employee or agent thereof acting in the course and scope of such officer's, employee's or agent's employment.

      (B) No board member shall be a member, a member of the board or an employee of a trade association of (i) insurers, (ii) insurance producers or brokers, (iii) health care providers, or (iv) health care facilities or health or medical clinics while serving on the board or on the staff of the exchange.

      (C) No board member shall be a health care provider unless such member receives no compensation for rendering services as a health care provider and does not have an ownership interest in a professional health care practice.

      (c) (1) All initial appointments shall be made not later than July 1, 2011. Following the expiration of such initial terms, subsequent board members terms shall be for four years. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term. If an appointing authority fails to make an initial appointment, or an appointment to fill a vacancy within ninety days of the date of such vacancy, the appointed board members may make such appointment by a majority vote. Any board member previously appointed to the board or appointed to fill a vacancy may be reappointed in accordance with this section. Any board member may be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance or wilful neglect of duty at the sole direction of the appointing authority.

      (2) As a condition of qualifying as a member of the board of directors, each appointee shall, before entering upon such member's duties, take and subscribe the oath or affirmation required under section 1 of article eleventh of the Constitution of the state. A record of each such oath shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the State.

      (3) Appointed board members may not designate a representative to perform in their absence their respective duties under sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive. The Governor shall select a chairperson from among the board members and the board members shall annually elect a vice-chairperson. The chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the board, which shall be held not later than August 1, 2011. Meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such times as shall be specified in the bylaws adopted by the board and at such other time or times as the chairperson deems necessary. Any board member who fails to attend more than fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the board.

      (4) Six board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the exchange. For the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the exchange, the exchange may act by a majority of the board members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance. No vacancy in the membership of the board of directors shall impair the right of such board members to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the board. Any action taken by the board under the provisions of sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive, may be authorized by resolution approved by a majority of the board members present at any regular or special meeting, which resolution shall take effect immediately unless otherwise provided in the resolution.

      (5) Board members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall receive actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

      (6) Subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, board members may engage in private employment or in a profession or business, subject to any applicable laws, rules and regulations of the state or federal government regarding official ethics or conflicts of interest.

      (7) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a board member of the exchange, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual shall abstain from deliberation, action or vote by the exchange in specific request to such person, firm or corporation.

      (8) Each board member shall execute a surety bond in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars, or, in lieu thereof, the chairperson of the board shall execute a blanket position bond covering each board member, the chief executive officer and the employees of the exchange, each surety bond to be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the office or offices covered, to be executed by a surety company authorized to transact business in this state as surety and to be approved by the Attorney General and filed in the office of the Secretary of the State. The cost of each such bond shall be paid by the exchange.

      (9) No board member of the exchange shall, for one year after the end of such member's service on the board, accept employment with any health carrier that offers a qualified health benefit plan through the exchange.

      (d) (1) With respect to the initial appointment of a chief executive officer of the exchange, the board of directors shall nominate three candidates to the Governor, who shall make a selection from such nominations. After such initial appointment, the board shall select and appoint subsequent chief executive officers.

      (2) The chief executive officer shall be responsible for administering the exchange's programs and activities in accordance with the policies and objectives established by the board. The chief executive officer (A) may employ such other employees as shall be designated by the board of directors, and (B) shall attend all meetings of the board, keep a record of all proceedings and maintain and be custodian of all records, books, documents and papers filed with or compiled by the exchange.

      (e) (1) No employee of the exchange shall be a member, a member of the board or an employee of a trade association of (A) insurers, (B) insurance producers or brokers, (C) health care providers, or (D) health care facilities or health or medical clinics while serving on the board or on the staff of the exchange.

      (2) No employee of the exchange shall be a health care provider unless (A) (i) such employee receives no compensation for rendering services as a health care provider, or (ii) the chief executive officer approves the hiring of such provider as an employee on the basis that such provider fills an area of need of expertise for the exchange, and (B) such employee does not have an ownership interest in a professional health care practice.

      (3) No employee of the exchange shall, for one year after terminating employment with the exchange, accept employment with any health carrier that offers a qualified health benefit plan through the exchange.

      (4) Any employee of the exchange whose primary purpose is to assist individuals or small employers in selecting health insurance plans offered on the exchange to purchase shall be licensed as an insurance producer under chapter 701a not later than eighteen months after such employee begins employment with the exchange.

      (f) The board may consult with such parties, public or private, as it deems desirable or necessary in exercising its duties under sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive.

      (g) The board may create such advisory committees as it deems necessary to provide input on issues that may include, but are not limited to, customer service needs and insurance producer concerns.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 2; 11-61, S. 142.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (e)(4) to change description of employee of the exchange required to be licensed as an insurance producer and to extend time period for such employee to become licensed from 1 year to 18 months after beginning employment with the exchange, effective June 21, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1082. Written procedures. Audits. (a) The board of directors of the exchange shall adopt written procedures, in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121, for: (1) Adopting an annual budget and plan of operations, including a requirement of board approval before the budget or plan may take effect; (2) hiring, dismissing, promoting and compensating employees of the exchange, including an affirmative action policy and a requirement of board approval before a position may be created or a vacancy filled; (3) acquiring real and personal property and personal services, including a requirement of board approval for any nonbudgeted expenditure in excess of five thousand dollars; (4) contracting for financial, legal, bond underwriting and other professional services, including a requirement that the exchange solicit proposals at least once every three years for each such service which it uses; (5) issuing and retiring bonds, bond anticipation notes and other obligations of the authority; (6) establishing requirements for certification of qualified health plans that include, but are not limited to, minimum standards for marketing practices, network adequacy, essential community providers in underserved areas, accreditation, quality improvement, uniform enrollment forms and descriptions of coverage, and quality measures for health benefit plan performance; and (7) implementing the provisions of sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive, or other provisions of the general statutes. Any such written procedures adopted pursuant to subdivision (7) of this subsection shall not conflict with or prevent the application of regulations promulgated by the Secretary under the Affordable Care Act.

      (b) The board of directors of the exchange shall submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to insurance a copy of each audit of the exchange conducted by an independent auditing firm, not later than seven days after the audit is received by said board of directors.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 3, 4.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1083. Powers of exchange. (a) For purposes of sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive, "purposes of the exchange" means the purposes of the exchange expressed in and pursuant to this section, which are hereby determined to be public purposes for which public funds may be expended. The powers enumerated in this section shall be interpreted broadly to effectuate the purposes of the exchange and shall not be construed as a limitation of powers.

      (b) The goals of the exchange shall be to reduce the number of individuals without health insurance in this state and assist individuals and small employers in the procurement of health insurance by, among other services, offering easily comparable and understandable information about health insurance options.

      (c) The exchange is authorized and empowered to:

      (1) Have perpetual successions as a body politic and corporate and to adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;

      (2) Adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;

      (3) Maintain an office in the state at such place or places as it may designate;

      (4) Employ such assistants, agents, managers and other employees as may be necessary or desirable;

      (5) Acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of real and personal property, and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to the carrying out of these purposes, provided all such acquisitions of real property for the exchange's own use with amounts appropriated by this state to the exchange or with the proceeds of bonds supported by the full faith and credit of this state shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the provisions of section 4b-23;

      (6) Receive and accept, from any source, aid or contributions, including money, property, labor and other things of value;

      (7) Charge assessments or user fees to health carriers that are capable of offering a qualified health plan through the exchange or otherwise generate funding necessary to support the operations of the exchange;

      (8) Procure insurance against loss in connection with its property and other assets in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable;

      (9) Invest any funds not needed for immediate use or disbursement in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or the state and in obligations that are legal investments for savings banks in the state;

      (10) Issue bonds, bond anticipation notes and other obligations of the exchange for any of its corporate purposes, and to fund or refund the same and provide for the rights of the holders thereof, and to secure the same by pledge of revenues, notes and mortgages of others;

      (11) Borrow money for the purpose of obtaining working capital;

      (12) Account for and audit funds of the exchange and any recipients of funds from the exchange;

      (13) Make and enter into any contract or agreement necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and execution of its powers. The contracts entered into by the exchange shall not be subject to the approval of any other state department, office or agency, provided copies of all contracts of the exchange shall be maintained by the exchange as public records, subject to the proprietary rights of any party to the contract;

      (14) To the extent permitted under its contract with other persons, consent to any termination, modification, forgiveness or other change of any term of any contractual right, payment, royalty, contract or agreement of any kind to which the exchange is a party;

      (15) Award grants to Navigators as described in subdivision (19) of section 38a-1084 and in accordance with section 38a-1087. Applications for grants from the exchange shall be made on a form prescribed by the board;

      (16) Limit the number of plans offered, and use selective criteria in determining which plans to offer, through the exchange, provided individuals and employers have an adequate number and selection of choices;

      (17) Evaluate jointly with the SustiNet Health Care Cabinet the feasibility of implementing a basic health program option as set forth in Section 1331 of the Affordable Care Act;

      (18) Sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded;

      (19) Adopt regular procedures that are not in conflict with other provisions of the general statutes, for exercising the power of the exchange; and

      (20) Do all acts and things necessary and convenient to carry out the purposes of the exchange, provided such acts or things shall not conflict with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, regulations adopted thereunder or federal guidance issued pursuant to the Affordable Care Act.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1084. Duties of exchange. The exchange shall:

      (1) Administer the exchange for both qualified individuals and qualified employers;

      (2) Commission surveys of individuals, small employers and health care providers on issues related to health care and health care coverage;

      (3) Implement procedures for the certification, recertification and decertification, consistent with guidelines developed by the Secretary under Section 1311(c) of the Affordable Care Act, and section 38a-1086, of health benefit plans as qualified health plans;

      (4) Provide for the operation of a toll-free telephone hotline to respond to requests for assistance;

      (5) Provide for enrollment periods, as provided under Section 1311(c)(6) of the Affordable Care Act;

      (6) Maintain an Internet web site through which enrollees and prospective enrollees of qualified health plans may obtain standardized comparative information on such plans including, but not limited to, the enrollee satisfaction survey information under Section 1311(c)(4) of the Affordable Care Act and any other information or tools to assist enrollees and prospective enrollees evaluate qualified health plans offered through the exchange;

      (7) Publish the average costs of licensing, regulatory fees and any other payments required by the exchange and the administrative costs of the exchange, including information on monies lost to waste, fraud and abuse, on an Internet web site to educate individuals on such costs;

      (8) Assign a rating to each qualified health plan offered through the exchange in accordance with the criteria developed by the Secretary under Section 1311(c)(3) of the Affordable Care Act, and determine each qualified health plan's level of coverage in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary under Section 1302(d)(2)(A) of the Affordable Care Act;

      (9) Use a standardized format for presenting health benefit options in the exchange, including the use of the uniform outline of coverage established under Section 2715 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 300gg-15, as amended from time to time;

      (10) Inform individuals, in accordance with Section 1413 of the Affordable Care Act, of eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time, or any applicable state or local public program, and enroll an individual in such program if the exchange determines, through screening of the application by the exchange, that such individual is eligible for any such program;

      (11) Collaborate with the Department of Social Services, to the extent possible, to allow an enrollee who loses premium tax credit eligibility under Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code and is eligible for HUSKY Plan, Part A or any other state or local public program, to remain enrolled in a qualified health plan;

      (12) Establish and make available by electronic means a calculator to determine the actual cost of coverage after application of any premium tax credit under Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code and any cost-sharing reduction under Section 1402 of the Affordable Care Act;

      (13) Establish a program for small employers through which qualified employers may access coverage for their employees and that shall enable any qualified employer to specify a level of coverage so that any of its employees may enroll in any qualified health plan offered through the exchange at the specified level of coverage;

      (14) Offer enrollees and small employers the option of having the exchange collect and administer premiums, including through allocation of premiums among the various insurers and qualified health plans chosen by individual employers;

      (15) Grant a certification, subject to Section 1411 of the Affordable Care Act, attesting that, for purposes of the individual responsibility penalty under Section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code, an individual is exempt from the individual responsibility requirement or from the penalty imposed by said Section 5000A because:

      (A) There is no affordable qualified health plan available through the exchange, or the individual's employer, covering the individual; or

      (B) The individual meets the requirements for any other such exemption from the individual responsibility requirement or penalty;

      (16) Provide to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States the following:

      (A) A list of the individuals granted a certification under subdivision (15) of this section, including the name and taxpayer identification number of each individual;

      (B) The name and taxpayer identification number of each individual who was an employee of an employer but who was determined to be eligible for the premium tax credit under Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code because:

      (i) The employer did not provide minimum essential health benefits coverage; or

      (ii) The employer provided the minimum essential coverage but it was determined under Section 36B(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code to be unaffordable to the employee or not provide the required minimum actuarial value; and

      (C) The name and taxpayer identification number of:

      (i) Each individual who notifies the exchange under Section 1411(b)(4) of the Affordable Care Act that such individual has changed employers; and

      (ii) Each individual who ceases coverage under a qualified health plan during a plan year and the effective date of that cessation;

      (17) Provide to each employer the name of each employee, as described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (16) of this section, of the employer who ceases coverage under a qualified health plan during a plan year and the effective date of the cessation;

      (18) Perform duties required of, or delegated to, the exchange by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States related to determining eligibility for premium tax credits, reduced cost-sharing or individual responsibility requirement exemptions;

      (19) Select entities qualified to serve as Navigators in accordance with Section 1311(i) of the Affordable Care Act and award grants to enable Navigators to:

      (A) Conduct public education activities to raise awareness of the availability of qualified health plans;

      (B) Distribute fair and impartial information concerning enrollment in qualified health plans and the availability of premium tax credits under Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code and cost-sharing reductions under Section 1402 of the Affordable Care Act;

      (C) Facilitate enrollment in qualified health plans;

      (D) Provide referrals to the Office of the Healthcare Advocate or health insurance ombudsman established under Section 2793 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 300gg-93, as amended from time to time, or any other appropriate state agency or agencies, for any enrollee with a grievance, complaint or question regarding the enrollee's health benefit plan, coverage or a determination under that plan or coverage; and

      (E) Provide information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served by the exchange;

      (20) Review the rate of premium growth within and outside the exchange and consider such information in developing recommendations on whether to continue limiting qualified employer status to small employers;

      (21) Credit the amount, in accordance with Section 10108 of the Affordable Care Act, of any free choice voucher to the monthly premium of the plan in which a qualified employee is enrolled and collect the amount credited from the offering employer;

      (22) Consult with stakeholders relevant to carrying out the activities required under sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive, including, but not limited to:

      (A) Individuals who are knowledgeable about the health care system, have background or experience in making informed decisions regarding health, medical and scientific matters and are enrollees in qualified health plans;

      (B) Individuals and entities with experience in facilitating enrollment in qualified health plans;

      (C) Representatives of small employers and self-employed individuals;

      (D) The Department of Social Services; and

      (E) Advocates for enrolling hard-to-reach populations;

      (23) Meet the following financial integrity requirements:

      (A) Keep an accurate accounting of all activities, receipts and expenditures and annually submit to the Secretary, the Governor, the Insurance Commissioner and the General Assembly a report concerning such accountings;

      (B) Fully cooperate with any investigation conducted by the Secretary pursuant to the Secretary's authority under the Affordable Care Act and allow the Secretary, in coordination with the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, to:

      (i) Investigate the affairs of the exchange;

      (ii) Examine the properties and records of the exchange; and

      (iii) Require periodic reports in relation to the activities undertaken by the exchange; and

      (C) Not use any funds in carrying out its activities under sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1089, inclusive, that are intended for the administrative and operational expenses of the exchange, for staff retreats, promotional giveaways, excessive executive compensation or promotion of federal or state legislative and regulatory modifications;

      (24) Seek to include the most comprehensive health benefit plans that offer high quality benefits at the most affordable price in the exchange; and

      (25) Report at least annually to the General Assembly on the effect of adverse selection on the operations of the exchange and make legislative recommendations, if necessary, to reduce the negative impact from any such adverse selection on the sustainability of the exchange, including recommendations to ensure that regulation of insurers and health benefit plans are similar for qualified health plans offered through the exchange and health benefit plans offered outside the exchange. The exchange shall evaluate whether adverse selection is occurring with respect to health benefit plans that are grandfathered under the Affordable Care Act, self-insured plans, plans sold through the exchange and plans sold outside the exchange.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1085. Qualified health plans. (a) The exchange shall make qualified health plans available to qualified individuals and qualified employers for coverage beginning on or before January 1, 2014.

      (b) (1) The exchange shall not make available any health benefit plan that is not a qualified health plan.

      (2) The exchange shall allow a health carrier to offer a plan that provides limited scope dental benefits meeting the requirements of Section 9832(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code through the exchange, either separately or in conjunction with a qualified health plan, if the plan provides pediatric dental benefits meeting the requirements of Section 1302(b)(1)(J) of the Affordable Care Act.

      (c) Neither the exchange nor a health carrier offering health benefit plans through the exchange shall charge an individual a fee or penalty for termination of coverage if the individual enrolls in another type of minimum essential coverage because (1) the individual has become newly eligible for that coverage, or (2) the individual's employer-sponsored coverage has become affordable under the standards of Section 36B(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1086. Certification of health benefit plans. (a) The exchange may certify a health benefit plan as a qualified health plan if:

      (1) The plan includes, at a minimum, essential benefits as determined under the Affordable Care Act and the coverage requirements under chapter 700c, except that the plan shall not be required to provide essential benefits that duplicate the minimum benefits of qualified dental plans, as set forth in subsection (e) of this section, if:

      (A) The exchange has determined that at least one qualified dental plan is available to supplement the plan's coverage; and

      (B) The health carrier makes prominent disclosure at the time it offers the plan, in a form approved by the exchange, that such plan does not provide the full range of essential pediatric benefits, and that qualified dental plans providing those benefits and other dental benefits not covered by such plan are offered through the exchange;

      (2) The premium rates and contract language have been approved by the commissioner;

      (3) The plan provides at least a bronze level of coverage, as determined pursuant to subdivision (8) of section 38a-1084, unless the plan is certified as a qualified catastrophic plan, meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act for catastrophic plans and will only be offered to individuals eligible for catastrophic coverage;

      (4) The plan's cost-sharing requirements do not exceed the limits established under Section 1302(c)(1) of the Affordable Care Act, and if the plan is offered through the program for small employers, the plan's deductible does not exceed the limits established under Section 1302(c)(2) of the Affordable Care Act;

      (5) The health carrier offering the plan:

      (A) Is licensed and in good standing to offer health insurance coverage in the state;

      (B) Agrees to offer at least (i) one qualified health plan at a silver level of coverage, as determined pursuant to subdivision (8) of section 38a-1084, and (ii) one qualified health plan at a gold level of coverage, as determined pursuant to subdivision (8) of section 38a-1084, through each component of the exchange in which the health carrier participates, where "component" refers to the program for small employers and the program for individual coverage;

      (C) Charges the same premium rate for each qualified health plan without regard to whether the plan is offered through the exchange or directly by the health carrier or through an insurance producer;

      (D) Does not charge any cancellation fees or penalties as set forth in subsection (c) of section 38a-1085; and

      (E) Complies with the regulations developed by the Secretary under Section 1311(d) of the Affordable Care Act and such other requirements as the exchange may establish;

      (6) The plan meets the requirements for certification pursuant to written procedures adopted under subsection (a) of section 38a-1082 and regulations promulgated by the Secretary under Section 1311(c) of the Affordable Care Act; and

      (7) The exchange determines that making the plan available through the exchange is in the interest of qualified individuals and qualified employers in the state.

      (b) The exchange shall not refuse to certify a health benefit plan as a qualified health plan:

      (1) On the basis that (A) the plan is a fee-for-service plan, or (B) the health benefit plan provides treatments necessary to prevent patients' deaths in circumstances the exchange determines are inappropriate or too costly; or

      (2) By conditioning such certification on the imposition of premium price controls by the exchange.

      (c) The exchange shall require each health carrier seeking certification of a health benefit plan as a qualified health plan to:

      (1) Agree to submit a justification for any premium increase before implementation of such increase. The health carrier shall prominently post such justification and any information related to such justification on its Internet web site. The exchange shall take such justification and information into consideration, along with (A) any additional information and recommendations provided to the exchange by the commissioner under Section 2794(b) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 300gg-94, as amended from time to time, and (B) any excess of premium growth outside the exchange as compared to the rate of such growth inside the exchange, including information reported by other states to the Secretary, when determining whether to allow the health carrier to continue to make such plan available through the exchange;

      (2) Make available to the public in plain language, as that term is defined in Section 1311(e)(3)(B) of the Affordable Care Act, and submit to the exchange, the Secretary and the commissioner, accurate and timely disclosure of the following for such plan:

      (A) Claims payment policies and practices;

      (B) Periodic financial disclosures;

      (C) Data on enrollment;

      (D) Data on disenrollment;

      (E) Data on the number of claims that are denied;

      (F) Data on rating practices;

      (G) Information on cost-sharing and payments with respect to any out-of-network coverage;

      (H) Information on enrollee and participant rights under Title I of the Affordable Care Act; and

      (I) Other information determined as appropriate by the Secretary; and

      (3) Permit individuals to learn, in a timely manner upon the request of the individual, the amount of cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, under the individual's plan or coverage that such individual would be responsible for paying with respect to the furnishing of a specific item or service by a participating provider. At a minimum, this information shall be made available to the individual through an Internet web site and through other means for individuals without access to the Internet.

      (d) The exchange shall not exempt any health carrier seeking certification of a health benefit plan as a qualified health plan from state licensure or reserve requirements and shall apply the criteria of this section in a manner that assures a level playing field between or among health carriers participating in the exchange.

      (e) (1) The provisions of sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive, that are applicable to qualified health plans, shall also apply to the extent applicable to qualified dental plans, except as modified in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection or by written procedures adopted by the exchange.

      (2) A health carrier seeking certification of a dental benefit plan as a qualified dental plan shall be licensed in the state to offer dental coverage, but need not be licensed to offer other health benefits.

      (3) Qualified dental plans shall be limited to dental and oral health benefits, without substantial duplication of the benefits typically offered by health benefit plans without dental coverage and shall include, at a minimum, the essential pediatric dental benefits prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to Section 1302(b)(1)(J) of the Affordable Care Act, and such other dental benefits as the exchange may specify or the Secretary may specify by regulation.

      (4) Health carriers may jointly offer a comprehensive plan through the exchange in which dental benefits are provided by a health carrier through a qualified dental plan and health benefits are provided by another health carrier through a qualified health plan, provided the plans are priced separately and are also made available for purchase separately at the same such prices.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 8.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011 (Revisor's note: In Subdiv. (3), a reference to "subdivision (6) of section 38a-1084" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "subdivision (8) of section 38a-1084" for accuracy).

      Sec. 38a-1087. Navigator grant program. (a) The exchange shall establish a Navigator grant program that shall award grants to certain entities to market the exchange for the purposes of: (1) Conducting public education activities to raise awareness of the availability of qualified health plans sold through the exchange; (2) distributing fair and impartial information concerning enrollment in qualified health plans; (3) distributing fair and impartial information about the availability of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions pursuant to the Affordable Care Act; (4) facilitating enrollment in qualified health plans; (5) referring individuals with a grievance, complaint or question regarding a plan, a plan's coverage or a determination under a plan's coverage to the Office of the Healthcare Advocate or any customer relations unit established by the exchange; and (6) providing information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served by the exchange.

      (b) The exchange shall award Navigator grants, at the sole discretion of the board of directors, to any of the following entities to carry out Navigator functions: (1) A trade, industry or professional association; (2) a community and consumer-focused nonprofit group; (3) a chamber of commerce; (4) a labor union; (5) a small business development center; or (6) an insurance producer or broker licensed in this state. A Navigator shall not be an insurer or receive any consideration directly or indirectly from any insurer in connection with the enrollment of any qualified individual or employees of a qualified employer in a qualified health plan. An eligible entity shall not receive a Navigator grant unless it can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board of directors of the exchange that it has existing relationships, or could readily establish such relationships, with small employers and its employees, individuals including uninsured and underinsured individuals, or self-employed individuals likely to be qualified to enroll in a qualified health plan.

      (c) A Navigator shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Affordable Care Act, regulations adopted thereunder or federal guidance issued pursuant to the Affordable Care Act.

      (d) The exchange shall collaborate with the Secretary to develop standards to ensure that the information distributed and provided by Navigators is fair and accurate.

      (e) The exchange shall establish performance standards, accountability requirements and maximum grant amounts for Navigators.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 9.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1088. State pledge to contractors. Exemption from taxes. (a) The state of Connecticut does hereby pledge to, and agree with, any person with whom the exchange may enter into contracts pursuant to the provisions of sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1090, inclusive, that the state will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the exchange until such contracts and the obligations thereunder are fully met and performed on the part of the exchange, except that nothing in this subsection shall preclude such limitation or alteration if adequate provision shall be made by law for the protection of such persons entering into contracts with the exchange.

      (b) The exchange shall be exempt from all franchise, corporate business and property taxes levied by the state or any municipality, except that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt from any such taxes, or from any taxes levied in connection with, (1) the manufacture or sale of any products that are the subject of any agreement made by the exchange, or (2) any person entering into any contract with the exchange.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 10, 11.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1089. Annual report from chief executive officer. (a) Not later than January 1, 2012, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2014, the chief executive officer of the exchange shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and the General Assembly on a plan, and any revisions or amendments to such plan, to establish a health insurance exchange in the state. Such report shall address:

      (1) Whether to establish two separate exchanges, one for the individual health insurance market and one for the small employer health insurance market, or to establish a single exchange;

      (2) Whether to merge the individual and small employer health insurance markets;

      (3) Whether to revise the definition of "small employer" from not more than fifty employees to not more than one hundred employees;

      (4) Whether to allow large employers to participate in the exchange beginning in 2017;

      (5) Whether to require qualified health plans to provide the essential health benefits package, as described in Section 1302(a) of the Affordable Care Act, or include additional state mandated benefits;

      (6) Whether to list dental benefits separately on the exchange's Internet web site where a qualified health plan includes dental benefits;

      (7) The relationship of the exchange to insurance producers;

      (8) The capacity of the exchange to award Navigator grants pursuant to section 38a-1087;

      (9) Ways to ensure that the exchange is financially sustainable by 2015, as required by the Affordable Care Act including, but not limited to, assessments or user fees charged to carriers; and

      (10) Methods to independently evaluate consumers' experience, including, but not limited to, hiring consultants to act as secret shoppers.

      (b) Not later than January 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, the chief executive officer of the exchange shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and the General Assembly on:

      (1) Any private or federal funds received during the preceding calendar year and, if applicable, how such funds were expended;

      (2) The adequacy of federal funds for the exchange prior to January 1, 2015;

      (3) The amount and recipients of any grants awarded; and

      (4) The current financial status of the exchange.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 12.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 38a-1090. Applicability of Freedom of Information Act to exchange. Authority of commissioner. (a) The exchange shall continue as long as it shall have legal authority to exist pursuant to the general statutes and until its existence is terminated by law. Upon the termination of the existence of the exchange, all its rights and properties shall pass to and be vested in the state of Connecticut.

      (b) The exchange shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, except that the following information shall not be subject to disclosure under section 1-210: (1) The names and applications of individuals and employers seeking coverage through the exchange; (2) individuals' health information; and (3) information exchanged between the exchange and the (A) Departments of Social Services, Public Health and Revenue Services, (B) Insurance Department, (C) office of the Comptroller, or (D) any other state agency that is subject to confidentiality agreements under contracts entered into with the exchange.

      (c) Unless expressly specified, nothing in this section or sections 38a-1080 to 38a-1089, inclusive, and no action taken by the exchange pursuant to said sections shall be construed to preempt, supersede or affect the authority of the commissioner to regulate the business of insurance in the state. All health carriers offering qualified health plans in the state shall comply with all applicable health insurance laws of the state and regulations adopted and orders issued by the commissioner.

      (P.A. 11-53, S. 13.)

      History: P.A. 11-53 effective July 1, 2011.