On Oct. 24, 2018, Director Froment released Bulletin 2018-05 to remind carriers and producers that issue policies in Ohio of the state insurance requirements for short-term health insurance. This bulletin was intended to remind carriers doing business in the state that state law isn’t preempted regarding short-term health insurance and, thus, carriers doing business in Ohio must continue to comply with state law.
As background, the federal government issued a rule in August 2018 that extended the initial contract term of short-term policies issued on or after Oct. 2, 2018, to be no more than 12 months while limiting renewals or extension of such policies to no more than 36 months. Like the federal rule, Ohio law limits a short-term policy to a term that is less than 12 months. Moreover, in Ohio, short-term policies are subject to state coverage mandates.
A non-exhaustive list of requirements and coverages applicable to short-term, limited-duration policies includes:
- Internal and external reviews
- Required provider network disclosures for consumers
- Coverage for mammography screenings
- Coverage for autism spectrum disorder
If the short-term, limited-duration policy offers family coverage, additional coverage mandates may apply, including but not limited to coverage for newborn children.
This bulletin was for informational purposes only and employers need not take any action at this time. The intent was to remind carriers that Ohio insurance law continues to apply to short-term health insurance, and carriers must factor in Ohio policies before issuing a product in response to the federal guidelines.
Bulletin 2018-05 »