Iowa Admin. Code r. 191-37.4

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 21, April 17, 2024
Rule 191-37.4 - Policy definitions and terms

No policy or certificate may be advertised, solicited or issued for delivery in this state as a Medicare supplement policy or certificate unless such policy or certificate contains definitions or terms which conform to the requirements of this rule.

"Accident," "accidental injury," or "accidental means" shall be defined to employ "result" language and shall not include words which establish an accidental means test or use words such as "external, violent, visible wounds" or similar words of description or characterization.

1. The definition shall not be more restrictive than the following: "Injury or injuries for which benefits are provided means accidental bodily injury sustained by the covered individual which is the direct result of an accident, independent of disease or bodily infirmity or any other cause, and occurs while insurance coverage is in force."
2. Such definition may provide that injuries shall not include injuries for which benefits are provided or available under any workers' compensation, employer's liability or similar law, or motor vehicle no-fault plan, unless prohibited by law.

"Benefit period" or "Medicare benefit period" shall not be defined more restrictively than as defined by Medicare.

"Convalescent nursing home," "extended care facility," or "skilled nursing facility" shall not be defined more restrictively than as defined by Medicare.

"Hospital" may be defined in relation to its status, facilities and available services or to reflect its accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, but not more restrictively than as defined by Medicare.

"Medicare" shall be defined in the policy and certificate. Medicare may be substantially defined as "The Health Insurance for the Aged Act, Title XVIII of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 as then constituted or later amended," or "Title I, Part I of Pub. L. No. 89-97, as Enacted by the Eighty-Ninth Congress of the United States of America and popularly known as the Health Insurance for the Aged Act, as then constituted and any later amendments or substitutes thereof," or words of similar import.

"Medicare-eligible expenses" shall mean expenses of the kinds covered by Medicare Parts A and B, to the extent recognized as reasonable and medically necessary by Medicare.

"Physician" shall not be defined more restrictively than as defined by Medicare.

"Sickness" shall not be defined to be more restrictive than the following: "Sickness means illness or disease of a covered individual which first manifests itself after the effective date of insurance and while the insurance is in force." The definition may be further modified to exclude sicknesses or diseases for which benefits are provided under any workers' compensation, occupational disease, employer's liability or similar law.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 191-37.4

Amended by IAB April 10, 2019/Volume XLI, Number 21, effective 5/15/2019