Title 806 | Chapter 017 | Regulation 085
PREVIOUS VERSION
The previous document that this document is based upon is available.
806 KAR 17:085.Minimum standards for short-term nursing home insurance policies.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Applicant" means:(a)
For an individual short-term nursing home insurance policy, the person who seeks to contract for benefits; and(b)
For a group short-term nursing home insurance policy, the proposed certificate holder.(2)
"Association" means entities eligible for group health insurance pursuant to KRS 304.18-020.(3)
"Benefit trigger" means a contractual provision in the insured's policy conditioning the payment of benefits on a determination of the insured's ability to perform activities of daily living and on cognitive impairment.(4)
"Certificate" means any certificate issued under a group short-term nursing home insurance policy, which has been delivered or issued for delivery in Kentucky.(5)
"Claim" means a request for payment of benefits under an in-force policy regardless of whether the benefit claimed is covered under the policy or any terms or conditions of the policy have been met.(6)
"Commissioner" is defined by KRS 304.1-050.(7)
"Compensation" means pecuniary or nonpecuniary remuneration of any kind relating to the sale or renewal of short-term nursing home insurance or certificates, including bonuses, gift, prizes, awards, and finders fees.(8)
"Elimination period" means the time that elapses before benefits commence under a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate.(9)
"Insurer" means an entity authorized to issue short-term nursing home insurance in Kentucky.(10)
"Maintenance or Personal care services" means any care the primary purpose of which is the provision of needed assistance with any of the disabilities as a result of which the individual is a chronically-ill individual (including the protection from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment).(11)
"Policy" means any policy, contract, subscriber agreement, enrollment agreement, rider, or endorsement delivered or issued for delivery in Kentucky.(12)
"Qualified short-term nursing home insurance contract" is defined by 26 U.S.C. §7702B.(13)
"Short-term nursing home insurance policies" is defined by KRS 304.14-650.Section 2.
Policy Requirements. A short-term nursing home insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in Kentucky shall not use the terms set forth below unless the terms are defined in the policy as follows:(1)
"Activities of daily living" means at least bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.(2)
"Acute condition" means that the individual is medically unstable. The individual requires frequent monitoring by medical professionals, such as physicians and registered nurses, in order to maintain health status.(3)
"Adult day care" means a program for four (4) or more individuals, of social or health-related, or both, services provided during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting frail, impaired elderly or other disabled adults who can benefit from care in a group setting outside the home.(4)
"Bathing" means washing oneself by sponge bath; or in either a tub or shower, including the task of getting into or out of the tub or shower.(5)
"Cognitive impairment" means a deficiency in a person's short or long-term memory, orientation as to person, place, and time, deductive or abstract reasoning, or judgement as it relates to safety awareness.(6)
"Continence" means the ability to maintain control of bowel and bladder function; or , when unable to maintain control of bowel or bladder function, the ability to perform associated personal hygiene (including caring for catheter or colostomy bag).(7)
"Dressing" means putting on and taking off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners, or artificial limbs.(8)
"Eating" means feeding oneself by getting food into the body from a receptacle (such as a plate, cup, or table) or by a feeding tube or intravenously.(9)
"Hands-on assistance" means physical assistance (minimal, moderate, or maximal) without which the individual would not be able to perform the activity of daily living.(10)
"Home health care services" means medical and nonmedical services, provided to ill, disabled or infirm persons in their residences. The services may include homemaker services, assistance with activities of daily living, and respite care services.(11)
"Medicare" means "The Health Insurance for the Aged Act, Title XVIII of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 as Then Constituted or Later Amended", or "Title I, Part I of Pub.L. 89-97, as Enacted by the Eighty-Ninth Congress of the United States of America and popularly known as the Health Insurance for the Aged Act, as then constituted and any later amendments or substitutes thereof", or words of similar import.(12)
"Mental or nervous disorder" means not including more than neurosis, psychoneurosis, psychopathy, psychosis, or mental or emotional disease or disorder.(13)
"Personal care" or maintenance means the provision of hands-on services to assist an individual with activities of daily living.(14)
"Skilled nursing care", "intermediate care", "personal care", "home care", "specialized care", "assisted living" and other services means being defined in relation to the level of skill required, the nature of the care, and the setting in which care is to be delivered.(15)
"Toileting" means getting to and from the toilet, getting on and off the toilet, and performing associated personal hygiene.(16)
"Transferring" means moving into or out of bed, chair, or wheelchair.Section 3.
Policy Practices and Provisions.(1)
Renewability. The terms "guaranteed renewable" and "noncancellable" shall not be used in any individual short-term nursing home insurance policy without further explanatory language in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Section 5 of this administrative regulation.(a)
A short-term nursing home insurance policy issued to an individual shall not contain renewal provisions other than "guaranteed renewable" or "noncancellable".(b)
The term "guaranteed renewable" may be used only if the insured has the right to continue the short-term nursing home insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums and if the insurer has no unilateral right to make any change in any provision of the policy or rider while the insurance is in force, and cannot decline to renew, except that rates may be revised by the insurer on a class basis.(c)
The term "noncancellable" may be used only if the insured has the right to continue the short-term nursing home insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums during which period the insurer has no right to unilaterally make any change in any provision of the insurance or in the scheduled premium rate.(d)
The term "level premium" may only be used if the insurer does not have the right to change the premium.(2)
(a)
Limitations and exclusions. A policy shall not be delivered or issued for delivery in Kentucky as a short-term nursing home insurance if the policy limits or excludes coverage by type of illness, treatment, medical condition, or accident, except as follows:1.
Preexisting conditions or diseases as defined in Section 5(8) through (10) of this administrative regulation;2.
Mental or nervous disorders, but this shall not permit exclusion or limitation of benefits on the basis of Alzheimer's disease;3.
Alcoholism and drug addiction;4.
Illness, treatment, or medical condition arising out of:a.
War or act of war (whether declared or undeclared);b.
Participation in a felony, riot, or insurrection;c.
Service in the armed forces or auxiliary units;d.
Suicide (sane or insane), attempted suicide, or intentionally self-inflicted injury; ore.
Aviation (this exclusion shall apply only to nonfare-paying passengers);5.
Treatment provided in a government facility (unless otherwise required by law), services for which benefits are available under Medicare or other governmental program (except Medicaid), any state or federal workers' compensation, employer's liability, or occupational disease law, services provided by a member of the covered person's immediate family, and services for which no charge is normally made in the absence of insurance;(b)
This subsection shall not prohibit exclusions and limitations by type of provider or territorial limitations.(3)
Continuation or conversion.(a)
Group short-term nursing home insurance issued in Kentucky on or after the effective date of this administrative regulation shall provide:1.
A covered individual with a basis for continuation or conversion of coverage without underwriting upon termination of coverage; and2.
A converted policy or continued coverage including benefits identical to or benefits determined by the Commissioner to be substantially similar to or in excess of those provided under the group policy from which conversion or continued coverage is made.(b)
Written application for the converted policy or continued coverage shall be made and the first premium due, if any, shall be paid as directed by the insurer not later than thirty-one (31) days following notice of continuation or conversion rights under the group policy. The converted policy shall be issued effective on the day following the termination of coverage under the group policy and shall be renewable annually.(4)
Extension of benefits. Termination of short-term nursing home insurance shall be without prejudice to any benefits payable for institutionalization if the institutionalization began while the short-term nursing home insurance was in force and continues without interruption after termination. The extension of benefits beyond the period the short-term nursing home insurance was in force may be limited to the duration of the benefit period, if any, or to payment of the maximum benefit and may be subject to any policy waiting period, and all other applicable provisions of the policy.(5)
Discontinuance and replacement. If a group short-term nursing home insurance policy is replaced by another group short-term nursing home insurance policy issued to the same policyholder, the succeeding insurer shall offer coverage to all persons covered under the previous group policy on its date of termination. Coverage provided or offered to individuals by the insurer and premiums charged to persons under the new group policy shall not:(a)
Result in an exclusion for preexisting conditions that would have been covered under the group policy being replaced; and(b)
Vary or otherwise depend on the individual's health or disability status, claim experience or use of short term care services.(6)
Premium changes. The premium charged to an insured for short-term nursing home insurance shall not increase due to either:(a)
The increasing age of the insured at ages beyond sixty-five (65); or(b)
The duration the insured has been covered under the policy.(7)
Coverage of dependents. A short-term nursing home policy may be issued that jointly covers the life of the policyholder and his or her spouse.Section 4.
Unintentional Lapse. An insurer offering short-term nursing home insurance shall, as a protection against unintentional lapse, comply with the following:(1)
Notice before lapse or termination. An individual short-term nursing home policy or certificate shall not be issued until the insurer has received from the applicant either a written:(a)
Designation of at least one (1) person, in addition to the applicant, who is to receive notice of lapse or termination of the policy or certificate for nonpayment of premium; or(b)
Waiver, dated and signed by the applicant, electing not to designate additional persons to receive notice.(2)
Lapse or termination for nonpayment of premium:(a)
An individual short-term nursing home policy or certificate shall not lapse or be terminated for nonpayment of premium unless the insurer, at least thirty (30) days before the effective date of the lapse or termination, has given notice to the insured and to those persons designated pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section, at the address provided by the insured for purposes of receiving notice of lapse or termination; and(b)
Notice shall:1.
Be given by first class United States mail, postage prepaid;2.
Not be given until thirty (30) days after a premium is due and unpaid; and3.
Be found to have been given as of five (5) days after the date of mailing.(3)
Reinstatement. A short-term nursing home policy shall contain a reinstatement provision as required in KRS 304.17-080.Section 5.
Required Information and Disclosure Provisions.(1)
Renewability.(a)
Individual short-term nursing home insurance policies shall contain a renewability provision.(b)
The provision shall:1.
Be appropriately captioned;2.
Appear on the first page of the policy; and3.
State clearly that:a.
The coverage is guaranteed renewable and that premium rates are subject to change; orb.
the coverage is noncancellable.(c)
All short-term nursing home policies or certificates issued in the commonwealth of Kentucky shall state in (16) sixteen point bold type print on the front page of the policy the following statement: This is a short-term nursing home product that offers benefits for less than twelve (12) months. This is not a long-term care policy.(2)
Riders and endorsements.(a)
Except for riders or endorsements by which the insurer effectuates a request made in writing by the insured under an individual short-term nursing home insurance policy, riders or endorsements added to an individual short-term nursing home insurance policy after date of issue, reinstatement or renewal which reduce or eliminate benefits or coverage in the policy shall require signed acceptance by the individual insured.(b)
After the date of policy issue, a rider or endorsement which increases benefits or coverage with a concomitant increase in premium during the policy term shall be agreed to in writing signed by the insured, except if the increased benefits or coverage are required by law.(c)
If a separate additional premium is charged for benefits provided in connection with riders or endorsements, the premium charge shall be set forth in the policy, rider, or endorsement.(3)
Payment of benefits. A short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate shall clearly define how benefits will be paid.(4)
Limitations. If a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate contains any limitations with respect to preexisting conditions, the limitations shall appear as a separate paragraph of the policy or certificate and shall be labeled as "Preexisting Condition Limitations".(5)
Other limitations or conditions on eligibility for benefits. A short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate containing any limitations or conditions for eligibility including any elimination period shall be clearly defined in the policy or certificate and the paragraph shall be labeled "Limitations or Conditions on Eligibility for Benefits".(6)
Benefit triggers.(a)
Activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be:1.
Used to measure an insured's need for short-term nursing home care;2.
Described in the policy or certificate in a separate paragraph; and3.
Labeled "Eligibility for the payment of benefits."(b)
Any additional benefit triggers shall also be explained in this section.(c)
If these triggers differ for different benefits, explanation of the trigger shall accompany each benefit description.(d)
If an attending physician or other specified person shall certify a certain level of functional dependency in order to be eligible for benefits, this shall be specified.(7)
A provider of service shall be defined in relation to the services and facilities required to be available and the licensure or degree status of those providing or supervising the services. The definition may require that the provider be appropriately licensed or certified.(8)
Short-term nursing home policies or certificates shall not use a definition of preexisting condition that is more restrictive than the following: "Preexisting condition means a condition for which medical services or treatment is recommended by, or received from, a provider of health care services within six (6) months preceding the effective date of coverage of an insured person."(9)
A short-term nursing home policy or certificate shall not exclude coverage for a loss or confinement which is the result of a preexisting condition unless that loss or confinement begins within six (6) months following the effective date of coverage of the insured person.(10)
A short term nursing home policy or certificate shall not exclude or use waivers or riders of any kind to exclude, limit, or reduce coverage or benefits for specifically named or described preexisting conditions or physical conditions beyond the preexisting condition periods described in subsections (8) and (9) of this section.(11)
Insurers shall offer an option to purchase inflation protection at a minimum of three (3) percent compounded annually with any short-term nursing home policy or certificate.(12)
Short-term nursing home policies shall contain on the front page of the policy or certificate the following statement: "Notice to buyer: This policy may not cover all of the costs associated with nursing home care incurred by the buyer during the period of coverage. The buyer is advised to review carefully all policy limitations".(13)
An elimination period shall be calculated based upon consecutive calendar days, beginning the first day eligible services are received by the individual, and ending the first day benefits are payable.Section 6.
Prohibition Against Post-claims Underwriting.(1)
(a)
If an application for short-term nursing home insurance contains a question that asks if the applicant has had medication prescribed by a physician, it shall also ask the applicant to list all medication that has been prescribed.(b)
If the medications listed in the application are known by the insurer, or should have been known at the time of application, to be directly related to a medical condition that coverage would otherwise be denied, then the policy or certificate shall not be rescinded for that condition.(2)
The following language, or language substantially similar to the following, shall be set out conspicuously on the short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate no later than when it is delivered: "Caution: The issuance of this short-term nursing home insurance (policy or certificate) is based upon your responses to the questions on your application. A copy of your (application or enrollment form) is enclosed or was retained by you when you applied. If your answers, to the best of your knowledge and belief, are incorrect or untrue, the insurer may have the right to deny benefits or rescind your policy. The best time to clear up any questions is now, before a claim arises! If, for any reason, any of your answers are incorrect, contact the insurer at this address: (insert address)."(3)
A copy of the completed application or enrollment form, whichever is applicable, shall be delivered to the insured no later than when the policy or certificate is delivered unless it was retained by the applicant at the time of application.Section 7.
Reserve Standards.(1)
(a)
If short-term nursing home insurance benefits are provided through the acceleration of benefits under group or individual life policies or riders to these policies, policy reserves for these benefits shall be determined in accordance with KRS 304.6-130 to 304.6-180.(b)
Claim reserves shall also be established if the policy or rider is in claim status.(c)
In the development and calculation of reserves for policies and riders subject to the requirements of this subsection, due regard shall be given to the applicable policy provisions, marketing methods, administrative procedures, and all other considerations that may have an impact on projected claim costs.(d)
Any applicable valuation morbidity table shall be certified as appropriate as a statutory valuation table by a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.(2)
If short-term nursing home benefits are provided other than as described in subsection (1) of this section, reserves shall be determined in accordance with KRS 304.6-070.Section 8.
Loss Ratio.(1)
Rate filings shall follow the filing procedures contained in 806 KAR 14:007 and 806 KAR 17:070.(2)
Initial premium rate schedules shall be calculated so that the present value of future projected incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, shall not be less than the present value of future projected earned premiums times sixty (60) percent.(3)
Premium rate schedule increases shall be calculated so that the sum of the accumulated value of incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, and the present value of future projected incurred claims, excluding active life reserves, shall not be less than the sum of the following:(a)
The accumulated value of the initial earned premiums times sixty (60) percent;(b)
Eighty-five (85) percent of the accumulated value of prior premium rate schedule increases on an earned basis;(c)
The present value of future projected initial earned premiums times sixty (60) percent; and(d)
Eighty-five (85) percent of the present value of future projected premiums not described in paragraph (c) of this subsection on an earned basis.(4)
All present and accumulated values used to determine rates shall use the maximum valuation interest rate for contract reserves as specified in 806 KAR 6:080. The actuary shall disclose as part of the actuarial memorandum required by 806 KAR 17:070, Section 3, the use of any appropriate averages.Section 9.
Minimum Standards for Home Health and Community Care Benefits in Short-term nursing Insurance Policies.(1)
A short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate that provides benefits for home health care or community care services shall not limit or exclude benefits by:(a)
Requiring that the insured or claimant would need care in a skilled nursing facility if home health care services are not provided;(b)
Requiring that the insured or claimant first or simultaneously receive nursing or therapeutic services, or both, in a home, community, or institutional setting before home health care services are covered;(c)
Limiting eligible services to services provided by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses;(d)
Requiring that a nurse or therapist provide services covered by the policy that may be provided by a:1.
Home health aide; or2.
Other licensed or certified home care worker acting within the worker's scope of licensure or certification;(e)
Excluding coverage for personal care services provided by a home health aide;(f)
Requiring that the provision of home health care services be at a level of certification or licensure greater than that required by the eligible service;(g)
Requiring that the insured or claimant have an acute condition before home health care services are covered;(h)
Limiting benefits to services provided by Medicare-certified agencies or providers; or(i)
Excluding coverage for adult day care services.(2)
(a)
A short term nursing insurance policy or certificate that includes home health or community care services shall provide the total home health or community care coverage that is a dollar amount equivalent to at least one-half (1/2) of one (1) year of coverage available for nursing home benefits under the policy or certificate, when covered home health or community care services are received.(b)
The requirement identified in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply to a policy or certificate issued to a resident of a continuing care retirement community.(3)
In determining maximum coverage under the terms of a policy or certificate, home health care coverage may be applied to the non-home health care benefits provided in the policy or certificate.Section 10.
Prohibition Against Preexisting Conditions and Probationary Periods in Replacement Policies or Certificates. If a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate replaces another short-term nursing home or long-term care policy or certificate, the replacing insurer shall waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions and probationary periods in the new short-term nursing home insurance policy for similar benefits to the extent that similar exclusions have been satisfied under the original policy.Section 11.
Filing Requirements for Advertising.(1)
An insurer providing short term nursing home care insurance or benefits in Kentucky shall provide a copy of any advertisement intended for use in Kentucky whether through written, radio, or television medium to the commissioner for review in accordance with this administrative regulation and KRS 304.12-020, 304.14-120, and 806 KAR 12:010, 806 KAR 14:005, 806 KAR 14:007, Section 5(2);(2)
An advertisement shall be retained by the insurer for at least five (5) years from the date the advertisement was first used.(3)
The commissioner may exempt advertising from the requirements of this section pursuant to KRS 304.14-120(4).Section 12.
Standards for Marketing.(1)
An insurer marketing short term nursing home insurance coverage in Kentucky, directly or through its agents, shall:(a)
Establish marketing procedures and agent training requirements to assure that:1.
Marketing activities, including policy comparison, by its agent, shall be fair and accurate; and2.
Excessive insurance shall not be sold or issued.(b)
Display prominently by type, stamp, or other appropriate means, on the first page of the outline of coverage and policy, the notice as established in HIPMC-STN-1.(2)
An insurer shall:(a)
Comply with the requirements of KRS Chapter 304.12; and(b)
Not perform the following acts and practices:1.
Twisting;2.
High pressure tactics;3.
Cold lead advertising; and4.
Misrepresentation.(3)
(a)
To comply with the requirements of this subsection, an association may have the primary responsibility of educating members concerning short-term nursing home issues in general:1.
If endorsing or selling short-term nursing home insurance; and2.
To ensure that its members make informed decisions.(b)
An association shall provide objective information regarding short-term nursing home insurance policies or certificates endorsed or sold by the association to ensure that members receive a balanced and complete explanation of the features of the policy or certificate that is endorsed or sold.(c)
An insurer shall file with the department the following:1.
Insurance policies and, if applicable, certificates;2.
Outlines of coverage, which corresponds to the filed policy or certificate; and3.
Advertisements as requested by the department pursuant to Section 11(1) of this administrative regulation.(d)
An association shall disclose in a short-term nursing home insurance solicitation:1.
The specific nature and amount of the compensation arrangements, including fees, commissions, administrative fees, and other forms of financial support, which the association receives from endorsement or sale of the policy or certificate to its members; and2.
A brief description of the process used to select the policy and the insurer, which issued the policy.(e)
If an association and insurer have interlocking directorates or trustee arrangements, the association shall disclose that fact to the association members.(f)
The board of directors of an association selling or endorsing a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate shall review and approve the:1.
Insurance policy; and2.
Compensation arrangements made with the insurer.(g)
Except for a qualified short-term nursing home insurance contract, an association shall:1.
Upon a decision to endorse a short-term nursing home insurance contract, engage the services of a person with expertise in short-term nursing home insurance not affiliated with the insurer to:a.
Conduct an examination of the policy, including its benefits, features, and rates; andb.
Update the examination, if a material change is made to the contract;2.
Actively monitor the marketing efforts of the insurer and agents; and3.
Review and approve:a.
Marketing materials; orb.
Insurance communications other than marketing materials, including communications:(i)
Used to promote sales; or(ii)
Sent to members regarding the policy or certificate.(h)
A group short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate shall not be issued to an association unless the insurer files with the commissioner the information required in this subsection.(i)
Unless an insurer certifies annually that an association has complied with the requirements established in this subsection, an insurer shall not:1.
Issue a short-term nursing home policy or certificate to the association; or2.
Continue to market the policy or certificate.(j)
Failure to comply with the filing and certification requirements of this section shall constitute an unfair trade practice in violation of KRS 304.12-010.Section 13.
Standard Format and Content of an Outline of Coverage.(1)
An outline of coverage shall:(a)
Be a freestanding document, that shall be printed in no less than ten (10) point type; and(b)
Not contain material of an advertising nature.(2)
Text, shall be emphasized by using a method, that provides prominence equivalent to the:(a)
Capitalization; or(b)
Underscoring.(3)
Except as indicated, use of the text and sequence of text shall be:(a)
Mandatory; and(b)
Consistent with the Outline of Coverage, HIPMC-STN-1.(4)
The format to be used for the outline of coverage shall be consistent with the Outline of Coverage, HIPMC-STN-1.Section 14.
Standards for Benefit Triggers.(1)
A short term nursing home insurance policy shall condition the payment of benefits based upon a determination of the insured's:(a)
Ability to perform activities of daily living; and(b)
Cognitive impairment.(2)
Eligibility for the payment of benefits shall not be more restrictive than requiring:(a)
A deficiency in the ability to perform no more than three (3) activities of daily living; or(b)
The presence of cognitive impairment.(3)
(a)
Activities of daily living shall include no less than the activities defined in Section 2(1) of this administrative regulation and the policy; and(b)
To trigger covered benefits, an insurer may use activities of daily living that are:1.
Described in paragraph (a) of this subsection; and2.
In addition to activities identified in paragraph (a) if defined in the policy.(4)
(a)
An insurer may use a provision other than activities of daily living as identified in subsection (3) of this section to determine the date benefits are payable under a policy or certificate; and(b)
If a provision, as established in paragraph (a) of this subsection is used by the insurer, the provision shall not:1.
Restrict the requirements identified in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section; and2.
Be used in lieu of the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section.(5)
A determination of a deficiency, as identified in this section, shall not be more restrictive than:(a)
Requiring the hands on assistance of another person to perform the prescribed activities of daily living as identified in subsection (3) of this section; or(b)
If the deficiency is due to the presence of a cognitive impairment, supervision, or verbal cueing by another person shall be needed in order to protect the insured or others.(6)
An assessment of the insured's activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be performed by a licensed or certified professional, including a:(a)
Physician;(b)
Nurse; or(c)
Social worker.(7)
A short-term nursing home insurance policy shall include a clear description of the process for an appeal and resolution of a benefit determination.Section 15.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
"Outline of Coverage", HIPMC-STN-1, 03/2021 is incorporated by reference.(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at The Kentucky Department of Insurance, The Mayo-Underwood Building, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This material is also available on the Department of Insurance Internet Web site at https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/CHAPTER.aspx.HISTORY: (29 Ky.R. 1441; 1797; eff. 1-16-2003; TAm eff. 8-9-2007; Cert eff. 2-26-2020; 47 Ky.R. 2729; 48 Ky.R. 1153; eff. 1-4-2022.)
CONTACT PERSON: Abigail Gall, Executive Administrative Secretary, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-6026, fax (502) 564-1453, email abigail.gall@ky.gov.
806 KAR 17:085.Minimum standards for short-term nursing home insurance policies.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Applicant" means:(a)
For an individual short-term nursing home insurance policy, the person who seeks to contract for benefits; and(b)
For a group short-term nursing home insurance policy, the proposed certificate holder.(2)
"Association" means entities eligible for group health insurance pursuant to KRS 304.18-020(3)
"Benefit trigger" means a contractual provision in the insured's(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
"Qualified short-term nursing home insurance contract" is defined by 26 U.S.C. §7702B.(13)
Section 2.
Policy Requirements. A short-term nursing home insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in Kentucky shall not use the terms set forth below unless the terms are defined in the policy as follows:(1)
"Activities of daily living" means at least bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.(2)
"Acute condition" means that the individual is medically unstable. The individual requires frequent monitoring by medical professionals, such as physicians and registered nurses, in order to maintain health status.(3)
"Adult day care" means a program for four (4) or more individuals, of social or health-related, or both, services provided during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting frail, impaired elderly or other disabled adults who can benefit from care in a group setting outside the home.(4)
"Bathing" means washing oneself by sponge bath; or in either a tub or shower, including the task of getting into or out of the tub or shower.(5)
"Cognitive impairment" means a deficiency in a person's short or long-term memory, orientation as to person, place, and time, deductive or abstract reasoning, or judgement as it relates to safety awareness.(6)
"Continence" means the ability to maintain control of bowel and bladder function; or(7)
"Dressing" means putting on and taking off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners, or artificial limbs.(8)
"Eating" means feeding oneself by getting food into the body from a receptacle (such as a plate, cup, or table) or by a feeding tube or intravenously.(9)
"Hands-on assistance" means physical assistance (minimal, moderate, or maximal) without which the individual would not be able to perform the activity of daily living.(10)
"Home health care services" means medical and nonmedical services, provided to ill, disabled or infirm persons in their residences. The services may include homemaker services, assistance with activities of daily living, and respite care services.(11)
"Medicare" means "The Health Insurance for the Aged Act, Title XVIII of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 as Then Constituted or Later Amended", or "Title I, Part I of Pub.L. 89-97, as Enacted by the Eighty-Ninth Congress of the United States of America and popularly known as the Health Insurance for the Aged Act, as then constituted and any later amendments or substitutes thereof", or words of similar import.(12)
"Mental or nervous disorder" means(13)
"Personal care" or maintenance means the provision of hands-on services to assist an individual with activities of daily living.(14)
"Skilled nursing care", "intermediate care", "personal care", "home care", "specialized care", "assisted living" and other services means being(15)
"Toileting" means getting to and from the toilet, getting on and off the toilet, and performing associated personal hygiene.(16)
"Transferring" means moving into or out of bed, chair, or wheelchair.Section 3.
Policy Practices and Provisions.(1)
Renewability. The terms "guaranteed renewable" and "noncancellable" shall not be used in any individual short-term nursing home insurance policy without further explanatory language in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Section 5 of this administrative regulation.(a)
A short-term nursing home insurance policy issued to an individual shall not contain renewal provisions other than "guaranteed renewable" or "noncancellable".(b)
The term "guaranteed renewable" may be used only if the insured has the right to continue the short-term nursing home insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums and if the insurer has no unilateral right to make any change in any provision of the policy or rider while the insurance is in force, and cannot decline to renew, except that rates may be revised by the insurer on a class basis.(c)
The term "noncancellable" may be used only if the insured has the right to continue the short-term nursing home insurance in force by the timely payment of premiums during which period the insurer has no right to unilaterally make any change in any provision of the insurance or in the scheduled premium rate.(d)
The term "level premium" may only be used if the insurer does not have the right to change the premium.(2)
(a)
Limitations and exclusions. A policy shall not be delivered or issued for delivery in Kentucky as a short-term nursing home insurance if the policy limits or excludes coverage by type of illness, treatment, medical condition, or accident, except as follows:1.
Preexisting conditions or diseases as defined in Section 5(8)2.
Mental or nervous disorders, but this shall not permit exclusion or limitation of benefits on the basis of Alzheimer's disease;3.
Alcoholism and drug addiction;4.
Illness, treatment, or medical condition arising out of:a.
War or act of war (whether declared or undeclared);b.
Participation in a felony, riot, or insurrection;c.
Service in the armed forces or auxiliary units;d.
Suicide (sane or insane), attempted suicide, or intentionally self-inflicted injury; ore.
Aviation (this exclusion shall apply only to nonfare-paying passengers);5.
Treatment provided in a government facility (unless otherwise required by law), services for which benefits are available under Medicare or other governmental program (except Medicaid), any state or federal workers' compensation, employer's liability, or occupational disease law, services provided by a member of the covered person's immediate family, and services for which no charge is normally made in the absence of insurance;(b)
This subsection shall not prohibit exclusions and limitations by type of provider or territorial limitations.(3)
Continuation or conversion.(a)
Group short-term nursing home insurance issued in Kentucky on or after the effective date of this administrative regulation shall provide:1.
A covered individual with a basis for continuation or conversion of coverage without underwriting upon termination of coverage; and2.
A converted policy or continued coverage including benefits identical to or benefits determined by the Commissioner(b)
Written application for the converted policy or continued coverage shall be made and the first premium due, if any, shall be paid as directed by the insurer not later than thirty-one (31) days following notice of continuation or conversion rights under the group policy. The converted policy shall be issued effective on the day following the termination of coverage under the group policy and shall be renewable annually.(4)
(a)
(b)
(5)
Extension of benefits. Termination of short-term nursing home insurance shall be without prejudice to any benefits payable for institutionalization if the institutionalization began while the short-term nursing home insurance was in force and continues without interruption after termination. The extension of benefits beyond the period the short-term nursing home insurance was in force may be limited to the duration of the benefit period, if any, or to payment of the maximum benefit and may be subject to any policy waiting period, and all other applicable provisions of the policy.(5)(6)
(a)
Result in an exclusion for preexisting conditions that would have been covered under the group policy being replaced; and(b)
Vary or otherwise depend on the individual's health or disability status, claim experience or use of short term care services.(6)(7)
Premium changes. The premium charged to an insured for short-term nursing home insurance shall not increase due to either:(a)
The increasing age of the insured at ages beyond sixty-five (65); or(b)
The duration the insured has been covered under the policy.(7)
Coverage of dependents. A short-term nursing home policy may be issued that jointly covers the life of the policyholder and his or her spouse.Section 4.
Unintentional Lapse. An insurer offering short-term nursing home insurance shall, as a protection against unintentional lapse, comply with the following:(1)
Notice before lapse or termination. An individual short-term nursing home policy or certificate shall not be issued until the insurer has received from the applicant either a written:(a)
Designation of at least one (1) person, in addition to the applicant, who is to receive notice of lapse or termination of the policy or certificate for nonpayment of premium; or(b)
Waiver, dated and signed by the applicant, electing not to designate additional persons to receive notice.(2)
Lapse or termination for nonpayment of premium:(a)
An individual short-term nursing home policy or certificate shall not lapse or be terminated for nonpayment of premium unless the insurer, at least thirty (30) days before the effective date of the lapse or termination, has given notice to the insured and to those persons designated pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section, at the address provided by the insured for purposes of receiving notice of lapse or termination; and(b)
Notice shall:1.
Be given by first class United States mail, postage prepaid;2.
Not be given until thirty (30) days after a premium is due and unpaid; and3.
Be found(3)
Reinstatement. A short-term nursing home policy shall contain a reinstatement provision as required in KRS 304.17-080.Section 5.
Required Information and Disclosure Provisions.(1)
Renewability.(a)
Individual short-term nursing home insurance policies shall contain a renewability provision.(b)
The provision shall:1.
Be appropriately captioned;2.
Appear on the first page of the policy; and3.
State clearly that:a.
The coverage is guaranteed renewable and that premium rates are subject to change; orb.
(c)
All short-term nursing home policies or certificates issued in the commonwealth of Kentucky shall state in (16) sixteen point bold type print on the front page of the policy the following statement: This is a short-term nursing home product that offers benefits for less than twelve (12) months. This is not a long-term care policy.(2)
Riders and endorsements.(a)
Except for riders or endorsements by which the insurer effectuates a request made in writing by the insured under an individual short-term nursing home insurance policy, riders or endorsements added to an individual short-term nursing home insurance policy after date of issue, reinstatement or renewal which reduce or eliminate benefits or coverage in the policy shall require signed acceptance by the individual insured.(b)
After the date of policy issue, a rider or endorsement which increases benefits or coverage with a concomitant increase in premium during the policy term shall be agreed to in writing signed by the insured, except if the increased benefits or coverage are required by law.(c)
If a separate additional premium is charged for benefits provided in connection with riders or endorsements, the premium charge shall be set forth in the policy, rider, or endorsement.(3)
Payment of benefits. A short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate shall clearly define how benefits will be paid.(4)
Limitations. If a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate contains any limitations with respect to preexisting conditions, the limitations shall appear as a separate paragraph of the policy or certificate and shall be labeled as "Preexisting Condition Limitations".(5)
Other limitations or conditions on eligibility for benefits. A short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate containing any limitations or conditions for eligibility including any elimination period shall be clearly defined in the policy or certificate and the paragraph shall be labeled(6)
Benefit triggers.(a)
Activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be:1.
Used to measure an insured's2.
3.
(b)
Any additional benefit triggers shall also be explained in this section.(c)
If these triggers differ for different benefits, explanation of the trigger shall accompany each benefit description.(d)
If an attending physician or other specified person shall(7)(6)
A provider of service shall be defined in relation to the services and facilities required to be available and the licensure or degree status of those providing or supervising the services. The definition may require that the provider be appropriately licensed or certified.(8)(7)
Short-term nursing home policies or certificates shall not use a definition of preexisting condition that (9)(8)
A short-term nursing home policy or certificate shall not exclude coverage for a loss or confinement which is the result of a preexisting condition unless that loss or confinement begins within six (6) months following the effective date of coverage of the insured person.(10)(9)
A short term nursing home policy or certificate shall not exclude or use waivers or riders of any kind to exclude, limit, or reduce coverage or benefits for specifically named or described preexisting conditions or physical conditions beyond the preexisting condition periods described in subsections (8)(11)(10)
Insurers shall offer an option to purchase (12)(11)
Short-term nursing home policies shall contain on the front page of the policy or certificate the following statement: "Notice to buyer: This policy may not cover all of the costs associated with nursing home care incurred by the buyer during the period of coverage. The buyer is advised to review carefully all policy limitations".(13)(12)
An elimination period shall be calculated based upon consecutive calendar days, beginning the first day eligible services are received by the individual, and ending the first day benefits are payable.Section 6.
Prohibition Against Post-claims Underwriting.(1)
(a)
If an application for short-term nursing home insurance contains a question that(b)
If the medications listed in the application are(2)
The following language, or language substantially similar to the following, shall be set out conspicuously on the short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate no later than when it is delivered: "Caution: The issuance of this short-term nursing home insurance (policy or certificate) is based upon your responses to the questions on your application. A copy of your (application or enrollment form)(3)
A copy of the completed application or enrollment form, whichever is applicable,Section 7.
Reserve Standards.(1)
(a)
If short-term nursing home insurance benefits are provided through the acceleration of benefits under group or individual life policies or riders to these policies, policy reserves for these benefits shall be determined in accordance with KRS 304.6-130 to 304.6-180.(b)
Claim reserves shall also be established if the policy or rider is in claim status.(c)
In the development and calculation of reserves for policies and riders subject to the requirements of this subsection, due regard shall be given to the applicable policy provisions, marketing methods, administrative procedures, and all other considerations that may(d)
Any applicable valuation morbidity table shall be certified as appropriate as a statutory valuation table by a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.(2)
If short-term nursing home benefits are provided other than as described in subsection (1) of this section, reserves shall be determined in accordance with KRS 304.6-070.Section 8.
Loss Ratio.(1)
Rate filings shall follow the filing procedures contained in 806 KAR 14:007 and 806 KAR 17:070.(2)
Initial premium rate schedules shall be calculated so that(3)
Premium rate schedule increases shall be calculated so that(a)
The accumulated value of the initial earned premiums times sixty (60) percent;(b)
Eighty-five (85) percent of the accumulated value of prior premium rate schedule increases on an earned basis;(c)
The present value of future projected initial earned premiums times sixty (60) percent; and(d)
Eighty-five (85) percent of the present value of future projected premiums not described in paragraph (c) of this subsection on an earned basis.(4)
All present and accumulated values used to determine rates shall use the maximum valuation interest rate for contract reserves as specified in 806 KAR 6:080. The actuary shall disclose as part of the actuarial memorandum required by 806 KAR 17:070, Section 3, the use of any appropriate averages.Section 9.
Minimum Standards for Home Health and Community Care Benefits in Short-term nursing Insurance Policies.(1)
A short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate that provides(a)
Requiring that the insured or claimant would need care in a skilled nursing facility if home health care services are not provided;(b)
Requiring that the insured or claimant first or simultaneously(c)
Limiting eligible services to services provided by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses;(d)
Requiring that a nurse or therapist provide services covered by the policy that may be provided by a:1.
Home health aide; or2.
Other licensed or certified home care worker acting within the worker's scope of licensure or certification;(e)
Excluding coverage for personal care services provided by a home health aide;(f)
Requiring that the provision of home health care services be at a level of certification or licensure greater than that required by the eligible service;(g)
Requiring that the insured or claimant have an acute condition before home health care services are covered;(h)
Limiting benefits to services provided by Medicare-certified agencies or providers; or(i)
Excluding coverage for adult day care services.(2)
(a)
A short term nursing insurance policy or certificate that includes home health or community care services shall provide the total home health or community care coverage that is a dollar amount equivalent to at least one-half (1/2) of one (1) year of coverage available for nursing home benefits under the policy or certificate, when covered home health or community care services are received.(b)
The requirement identified in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply to a policy or certificate issued to a resident of a continuing care retirement community.(3)
In determining maximum coverage under the terms of a policy or certificate, home health care coverage may be applied to the non-home health care benefits provided in the policy or certificate.Section 10.
Prohibition Against Preexisting Conditions and Probationary Periods in Replacement Policies or Certificates. If a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate replaces another short-term nursing home or long-term care policy or certificate, the replacing insurer shall waive any time periods applicable to preexisting conditions and probationary periods in the new short-term nursing home insurance policy for similar benefits to the extent that similar exclusions have been satisfied under the original policy.Section 11.
Filing Requirements for Advertising.(1)
An insurer providing short term nursing home care insurance or benefits in Kentucky shall provide a copy of any advertisement intended for use in Kentucky whether through written, radio, or television medium to the commissioner for review in accordance with this administrative regulation and KRS 304.12-020, 304.14-120, and 806 KAR 12:010, 806 KAR 14:005, 806 KAR 14:007, Section 5(2);(2)
An advertisement shall be retained by the insurer for at least five (5) years from the date the advertisement was first used.(3)
The commissioner may exempt advertising from the requirements of this section pursuant to KRS 304.14-120(4).Section 12.
Standards for Marketing.(1)
An insurer marketing short term nursing home insurance coverage in Kentucky, directly or through its agents, shall:(a)
Establish marketing procedures and agent training requirements to assure that:1.
Marketing activities, including policy comparison, by its agent, shall be fair and accurate; and2.
Excessive insurance shall not be sold or issued.(b)
Display prominently by type, stamp, or other appropriate means, on the first page of the outline of coverage and policy, the notice as established in HIPMC-STN-1.(2)
An insurer shall:(a)
Comply with the requirements of KRS Chapter 304.12; and(b)
Not perform the following acts and practices:1.
Twisting;2.
High pressure tactics;3.
Cold lead advertising; and4.
Misrepresentation.(3)
(a)
To comply with the requirements of this subsection, an association may1.
If endorsing or selling short-term nursing home insurance; and2.
To ensure that its members make informed decisions.(b)
An association shall provide objective information regarding short-term nursing home insurance policies or certificates endorsed or sold by the association to ensure that members receive a balanced and complete explanation of the features of the policy or certificate that is endorsed or sold.(c)
An insurer shall file with the department the following:1.
2.
Outlines3.
Advertisements as requested by the department pursuant to Section 11(1) of this administrative regulation.(d)
An association shall disclose in a short-term nursing home insurance solicitation:1.
The specific nature and amount of the compensation arrangements, including fees, commissions, administrative fees, and other forms of financial support, which the association receives from endorsement or sale of the policy or certificate to its members; and2.
A brief description of the process used to select the policy and the insurer, which issued the policy.(e)
If an association and insurer have interlocking directorates or trustee arrangements, the association shall disclose that fact to the association members.(f)
The board of directors of an association selling or endorsing a short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate shall review and approve the:1.
Insurance policy; and2.
Compensation arrangements made with the insurer.(g)
Except for a qualified short-term nursing home insurance contract, an association shall:1.
Upon a decision to endorse a short-term nursing home insurance contract, engage the services of a person with expertise in short-term nursing home insurance not affiliated with the insurer to:a.
Conduct an examination of the policy, including its benefits, features, and rates; andb.
Update the examination, if a material change is made to the contract;2.
Actively monitor the marketing efforts of the insurer and agents; and3.
Review and approve:a.
Marketing materials; orb.
Insurance communications other than marketing materials, including communications:(i)
Used to promote sales; or(ii)
Sent to members regarding the policy or certificate.(h)
A group short-term nursing home insurance policy or certificate shall not be issued to an association unless the insurer files with the commissioner the information required in this subsection.(i)
Unless an insurer certifies annually that an association has complied with the requirements established in this subsection, an insurer shall not:1.
Issue a short-term nursing home policy or certificate to the association; or2.
Continue to market the policy or certificate.(j)
Failure to comply with the filing and certification requirements of this section shall constitute an unfair trade practice in violation of KRS 304.12-010.Section 13.
Standard Format and Content of an Outline of Coverage.(1)
An outline of coverage shall:(a)
Be a freestanding document, that shall be printed in no less than ten (10) point type; and(b)
Not contain material of an advertising nature.(2)
Text, shall be(a)
Capitalization; or(b)
Underscoring.(3)
Except as indicated, use of the text and sequence of text shall be:(a)
Mandatory; and(b)
Consistent with the Outline of Coverage, HIPMC-STN-1.(4)
The format to be used for the outline of coverage shall be consistent with the Outline of Coverage, HIPMC-STN-1.Section 14.
Standards for Benefit Triggers.(1)
A short term nursing home insurance policy shall condition the payment of benefits based upon a determination of the insured's(a)
Ability to perform activities of daily living; and(b)
Cognitive impairment.(2)
Eligibility for the payment of benefits shall not be more restrictive than requiring:(a)
A deficiency in the ability to perform no more than three (3) activities of daily living; or(b)
The presence of cognitive impairment.(3)
(a)
Activities of daily living shall include no less than the activities defined in Section 2(1) of this administrative regulation and the policy; and(b)
To trigger covered benefits, an insurer may use activities of daily living that are:1.
Described in paragraph (a) of this subsection; and2.
In addition to activities identified in paragraph (a) if defined in the policy.(4)
(a)
An insurer may use a provision other than activities of daily living as identified in subsection (3) of this section to determine the date benefits are payable under a policy or certificate; and(b)
If a provision, as established in paragraph (a) of this subsection is used by the insurer, the provision shall not:1.
Restrict the requirements identified in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section; and2.
Be used in lieu of the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section.(5)
A determination of a deficiency, as identified in this section, shall not be more restrictive than:(a)
Requiring the hands on assistance of another person to perform the prescribed activities of daily living as identified in subsection (3) of this section; or(b)
If the deficiency is due to the presence of a cognitive impairment, supervision, or verbal cueing by another person shall be needed in order to protect the insured or others.(6)
An assessment of the insured's(a)
Physician;(b)
Nurse; or(c)
Social worker.(7)
A short-term nursing home insurance policy shall include a clear description of the process for an appeal and resolution of a benefit determination.Section 15.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
"Outline of Coverage", HIPMC-STN-1(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at The Kentucky Department of Insurance, The Mayo-Underwood Building, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This material is also available on the Department of Insurance Internet Web site at https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/CHAPTER.aspxHISTORY: (29 Ky.R. 1441; 1797; eff. 1-16-2003; TAm eff. 8-9-2007; Cert eff. 2-26-2020; 47 Ky.R. 2729; 48 Ky.R. 1153; eff. 1-4-2022.)
CONTACT PERSON: Abigail Gall, Executive Administrative Secretary, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-6026, fax (502) 564-1453, email abigail.gall@ky.gov.