(a) On or before October 1, 2013, and annually every October 1 thereafter, a health insurer shall issue the following notice to all policyholders enrolled in an individual health benefit plan that is a grandfathered health plan:

New improved health insurance options are available in California. You currently have health insurance that is not required to follow many of the new laws. For example, your policy may not provide preventive health services without you having to pay any cost sharing (copayments or coinsurance). Also your current policy may be allowed to increase your rates based on your health status while new policies cannot. You have the option to remain in your current policy or switch to a new policy. Under the new rules, a health insurance company cannot deny your application based on any health conditions you may have. For more information about your options, please contact Covered California at ____, your policy representative or insurance agent, or an entity paid by Covered California to assist with health coverage enrollment, such as a navigator or an assister.

(b) Commencing October 1, 2013, a health insurer shall include the notice described in subdivision (a) in any renewal material of the individual grandfathered health plan and in any application for dependent coverage under the individual grandfathered health plan.

(c) A health insurer shall not advertise or market an individual health benefit plan that is a grandfathered health plan for purposes of enrolling a dependent of a policyholder into the plan for policy years on or after January 1, 2014. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit an individual enrolled in an individual grandfathered health plan from adding a dependent to that plan to the extent permitted by PPACA.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 31, Sec. 34. (SB 857) Effective June 20, 2014.)