Except as otherwise provided in section 2721 of the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," Pub. L. No. 104-191 , 110 Stat. 1955, 42 U.S.C.A. 300gg-21, as amended, the following conditions apply to all group health insuring corporation contracts that are sold in connection with an employment-related group health care plan and that are not subject to section 3924.03 of the Revised Code:

(A)

(1) Except as provided in section 2712(b) to (e) of the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," if a health insuring corporation offers coverage in the small or large group market in connection with a group contract, the corporation shall renew or continue in force such coverage at the option of the contract holder.

(2) A health insuring corporation may cancel or decide not to renew the coverage of any eligible employee or of a dependent of an eligible employee under the group contract in accordance with division (B) of section 1751.18 of the Revised Code.

(B) Such group contracts are subject to division (A)(3) of section 3924.03 and sections 3924.033 and 3924.27 of the Revised Code.

(C) Such group contracts shall provide for the special enrollment periods described in section 2701(f) of the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996."

(D) At least once in every twelve-month period, a health insuring corporation shall provide to all late enrollees, as defined in section 3924.01 of the Revised Code, who are identified by the contract holder, the option to enroll in the group contract. The enrollment option shall be provided for a minimum period of thirty consecutive days. All delays of coverage imposed under the group contract, including any affiliation period, shall begin on the date the health insuring corporation receives notice of the late enrollee's application or request for coverage, and shall run concurrently with each other.

Effective Date: 03-22-1999 .