Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 482-1-091-.26 - Standards For Benefit Triggers(1) A long-term care insurance policy shall condition the payment of benefits on a determination of the insured's ability to perform activities of daily living and on cognitive impairment. Eligibility for the payment of benefits shall not be more restrictive than requiring either a deficiency in the ability to perform not more than three (3) of the activities of daily living or the presence of cognitive impairment.(2)(a) Activities of daily living shall include at least all of the following as defined in Rule 482-1-091-.05 and in the policy: (b) Insurers may use activities of daily living to trigger covered benefits in addition to those contained in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph (2) as long as they are defined in the policy.(3) An insurer may use additional provisions for the determination of when benefits are payable under a policy or certificate; however the provisions shall not restrict, and are not in lieu of, the requirements contained in Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this rule. (4) For purposes of this rule the determination of a deficiency shall not be more restrictive than either of the following: (a) Requiring the hands-on assistance of another person to perform the prescribed activities of daily living.(b) If the deficiency is due to the presence of a cognitive impairment, supervision or verbal cueing by another person is needed in order to protect the insured or others.(5) Assessments of activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be performed by licensed or certified professionals, such as physicians, nurses or social workers.(6) Long term care insurance policies shall include a clear description of the process for appealing and resolving benefit determinations.(7) The requirements set forth in this rule shall be effective January 1, 2002, and shall apply as follows: (a) Except as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph (7), the provisions of this rule apply to a long-term care policy issued in this state on or after January 1, 2002.(b) For certificates issued on or after January 1, 2002, under a group long-term care insurance policy as defined in Paragraph a. of Subdivision (4) of Section 27-19-103, Code of Ala. 1975, that was in force January 1, 2001, the provisions of this rule shall not apply. Author: Reyn Norman, Associate Counsel
Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-091-.26
New Rule: August 16, 2000; effective January 1, 2001. Filed for codification in the Alabama Administrative Code by the Department of Insurance on January 17, 2003, pursuant to the Code of Ala. 1975, § 27-7-43.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 27-2-17, 27-19-100, etseq.