00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 195(L&C) 01 "An Act relating to coverage offered under an individual policy of health care 02 insurance; relating to the state health insurance plan; and providing for an effective 03 date." 04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 05  * Section 1. AS 21.51 is amended by adding a new section to read: 06 Sec. 21.51.350. Individual health care insurance coverage.  07 Notwithstanding AS 21.42.353, 21.42.355, 21.42.363, 21.42.365, 21.42.375, 08 21.42.380, 21.42.385, 21.42.390, 21.42.392, and 21.42.395, a health care insurer may 09 offer a health care insurance plan issued in the individual market that does not include 10 health insurance coverage required under AS 21.42.353, 21.42.355, 21.42.363, 11 21.42.365, 21.42.375, 21.42.380, 21.42.385, 21.42.390, 21.42.392, and 21.42.395; 12 however, the coverage may be offered as optional coverage. 13  * Sec. 2. AS 21.55.130 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 14 (e) A state plan issued to a qualified TAA eligible individual may not impose 01 a preexisting condition exclusion. 02  * Sec. 3. AS 21.55.150(c) is amended to read: 03 (c) The board shall determine standard risk premium rates by considering the 04 premium rates charged by members of the association offering, to residents of the 05 state, health insurance benefits substantially equivalent to benefits under the state plan. 06 The premium for a state plan may not exceed 150 [200] percent of the standard risk 07 premium rates determined by the board. 08  * Sec. 4. AS 21.55.300(a) is amended to read: 09 (a) Except as provided in this section, a state resident who is a high risk, a  10 TAA eligible individual, or a federally defined eligible individual is eligible to enroll 11 in a state plan described in AS 21.55.100. 12  * Sec. 5. AS 21.55.300(b) is amended to read: 13 (b) Except for a federally defined eligible individual or TAA eligible  14 individual, a person may not be covered by the state plan 15 (1) while covered by another health insurance policy or subscriber 16 contract; or 17 (2) if the person is eligible to be covered 18 (A) by a plan subject to the requirements of AS 21.56.110 - 19 21.56.250;  20 (B) under another state or federal law, including veterans'  21 benefits, Native health care, or Medicaid, but not including Medicare; or  22 (C) under another health benefit program, including self- 23 insurance plan, health care trust, or welfare trust. 24  * Sec. 6. AS 21.55.320 is amended to read: 25 Sec. 21.55.320. Plan administrator's response. Within 30 days after 26 receiving the application described in AS 21.55.310, the plan administrator shall 27 (1) either provide the applicant with a notice of rejection [REJECT 28 THE APPLICATION] for failing to comply with the requirements of AS 21.55.300 29 and 21.55.310 or [FORWARD THE ELIGIBLE PERSON] a notice of acceptance;  30 and  31 (2) for a TAA eligible individual, send a notice to the director  01 specifying the name, address, social security number, and effective date of  02 coverage. 03  * Sec. 7. AS 21.55.500(18) is amended to read: 04 (18) "resident" means (A) except for a federally defined eligible 05 individual or TAA eligible individual [AND AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ABSENT 06 FROM THE STATE FOR MORE THAN 90 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FOR 07 REASONS OTHER THAN FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OR EDUCATION], an 08 individual who (i) is physically present in the state, has lived in the state for at least 09 the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application for a state plan, and 10 intends to remain permanently in the state; or (ii) is not physically present in the state 11 if the person lived in the state for at least nine of the 12 months immediately preceding 12 application for a state plan and the person's absence from the state is for medical 13 treatment or education; or (B) for a federally defined eligible individual or TAA  14 eligible individual, an individual who is legally domiciled in this state; "resident"  15 does not include an individual who is absent from the state for more than 90  16 consecutive days for reasons other than for medical treatment or education; 17  * Sec. 8. AS 21.55.500 is amended by adding new paragraphs to read: 18 (23) "qualified TAA eligible individual" means a qualifying individual 19 as defined under 26 U.S.C. 35 (Internal Revenue Code, as enacted by sec. 201(a) of 20 the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002); 21 (24) "TAA eligible individual" means an eligible individual or a 22 qualifying family member as defined under 26 U.S.C. 35 (Internal Revenue Code, as 23 enacted by sec. 201(a) of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002). 24  * Sec. 9. AS 21.55.140(b) is repealed. 25  * Sec. 10. This Act takes effect July 1, 2003.