(a) Insurers using direct response solicitation methods shall deliver a notice regarding replacement of accident and sickness or long-term care coverage to the applicant upon issuance of the policy or certificate. The required notice shall be provided in the following form:

“NOTICE TO APPLICANT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS OR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

According to (your application) (information you have furnished), you intend to lapse or otherwise terminate existing accident and sickness or long-term care insurance and replace it with the long-term care insurance coverage delivered herewith issued by (company name) Insurance Company. Your new coverage provides thirty (30) days within which you may decide, without cost, whether you desire to keep the policy or certificate. For your own information and protection, you should be aware of and seriously consider certain factors which may affect the insurance protection available to you under the new coverage.

(1) Health conditions which you may presently have (preexisting conditions), may not be immediately or fully covered under the new coverage. This could result in denial or delay in payment of benefits under the new coverage, whereas a similar claim might have been payable under your present coverage.

(2) You may wish to secure the advice of your present insurer or its agent regarding the proposed replacement of your present policy coverage. This is not only your right, but it is also in your best interest to make sure you understand all the relevant factors involved in replacing your present coverage.

(3) (To be included only if the application is attached to the policy or certificate). If, after due consideration, you still wish to terminate your present coverage and replace it with new coverage, read the copy of the application attached to your new coverage and be sure that all questions are answered fully and correctly. Omissions or misstatements in the application could cause an otherwise valid claim to be denied. Carefully check the application and write to (company name and address) within thirty (30) days if any information is not correct and complete, or if any past medical history has been left out of the application.

(Company Name)”

(b) For group coverage not subject to the 30-day return provision of Section 10232.7, the notice shall be modified to reflect the appropriate time period in which the policy may be returned and premium refunded.

(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 767, Sec. 2.)