N.M. Code R. § 13.10.34.11

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 9, May 7, 2024

Section 13.10.34.11 - ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HOSPITAL INDEMNITY PLANS

A hospital indemnity plan is subject to these additional requirements.

A.Benefit minimum A hospital indemnity plan shall pay a minimum lump-sum of no less than $1,500 upon initial confinement. A plan may offer additional lump-sum or daily benefits for additional periods of confinement as defined by the plan, subject to the provisions contained in this rule.

B.Continuous hospital confinement A hospital indemnity plan shall treat consecutive days of in-hospital service received as an inpatient, and successive inpatient confinement for treatment of the same condition within 30 days of prior discharge, as a single period of confinement. A carrier shall not combine confinements that result from medically distinct causes. A plan may exclude benefits for any calendar day period of confinement that does not result in billed charges by a hospital.

C.Basis of compensation A hospital indemnity plan shall provide benefits only on a fixed indemnity basis.

D.Hospital indemnity benefit limitations A hospital indemnity plan shall only offer benefits conditioned on a covered person being hospitalized, or receiving hospice, convalescent or extended care, hospital-treatment related ambulatory surgical center services, ambulance service to or from a covered confinement, hospital-affiliated outpatient services, anesthesia, surgery, emergency care leading to a hospital, convalescent or hospice confinement, lost wages during a period of hospital confinement, or expenses to travel to or from a hospital confinement. These benefits shall not be offered as a separate rider.

E.Confinement defined A hospital indemnity plan shall define "confinement" as any consecutive 24-hour period during which medical observation or services are provided on a continuous basis in a licensed medical facility, each immediately successive such period, and any period of time less than 24-hours on the date of discharge from any such confinement.

F.Convalescent or extended care A plan that provides a benefit conditioned on a covered person receiving convalescent or extended care following hospitalization shall provide such benefits if the admission to the convalescent or extended care facility is within 14-days after discharge from the hospital.

N.M. Code R. § 13.10.34.11

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, September 29, 2020, eff. 10/1/2020, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15, August 9, 2022, eff. 7/1/2023