29-U.S.C.-1191
§1191 – Preemption; State Flexibility; Construction
Pathway
Title 29 > Chapter 18 > Subchapter I > Subtitle B > Part 7 > Subpart C > Section 1191
Details
- Reference: Section 1191
- Legend: §1191 – Preemption; State Flexibility; Construction
- USCode Year: 2013
Provision Content
(a) Continued applicability of State law with respect to health insurance issuers
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2) and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this part shall not be construed to supersede any provision of State law which establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or requirement solely relating to health insurance issuers in connection with group health insurance coverage except to the extent that such standard or requirement prevents the application of a requirement of this part.
(2) Continued preemption with respect to group health plans
Nothing in this part shall be construed to affect or modify the provisions of section 1144 of this title with respect to group health plans.
(b) Special rules in case of portability requirements
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the provisions of this part relating to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer supersede any provision of State law which establishes, implements, or continues in effect a standard or requirement applicable to imposition of a preexisting condition exclusion specifically governed by section 1181 of this title which differs from the standards or requirements specified in such section.
(2) Exceptions
Only in relation to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, the provisions of this part do not supersede any provision of State law to the extent that such provision—
(A) substitutes for the reference to 6-month period in section 1181(a)(1) of this title a reference to any shorter period of time;
(B) substitutes for the reference to 12 months and 18 months in section 1181(a)(2) of this title a reference to any shorter period of time;
(C) substitutes for the references to 63 days in sections 1181(c)(2)(A) and (d)(4)(A) of this title a reference to any greater number of days;
(D) substitutes for the reference to 30-day period in sections 1181(b)(2) and (d)(1) of this title a reference to any greater period;
(E) prohibits the imposition of any preexisting condition exclusion in cases not described in section 1181(d) of this title or expands the exceptions described in such section;
(F) requires special enrollment periods in addition to those required under section 1181(f) of this title; or
(G) reduces the maximum period permitted in an affiliation period under section 1181(g)(1)(B) of this title.
(c) Rules of construction
Except as provided in section 1185 of this title, nothing in this part shall be construed as requiring a group health plan or health insurance coverage to provide specific benefits under the terms of such plan or coverage.
(d) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) State law
The term State law includes all laws, decisions, rules, regulations, or other State action having the effect of law, of any State. A law of the United States applicable only to the District of Columbia shall be treated as a State law rather than a law of the United States.
(2) State
The term State includes a State, the Northern Mariana Islands, any political subdivisions of a State or such Islands, or any agency or instrumentality of either.
(Pub. L. 93–406, title I, §731, formerly §704, as added Pub. L. 104–191, title I, §101(a), Aug. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 1946; renumbered §731 and amended Pub. L. 104–204, title VI, §603(a)(3), (b)(1), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2935, 2937.)
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–204, §603(b)(1), substituted Except as provided in section 1185 of this title, nothing for Nothing.
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–204 applicable with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning on and after Jan. 1, 1998, see section 603(c) of Pub. L. 104–204, set out as a note under section 1003 of this title.
Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning after June 30, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 101(g) of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as a note under section 1181 of this title.
U.S. Encyclopedia of Law Coverage
29-U.S.C.-1185C in the Legal Encyclopedia: Labor
In this entry about 29-U.S.C.-1185C, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to labor in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States labor-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.
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