Code of Massachusetts Regulations
211 CMR - DIVISION OF INSURANCE
Title 211 CMR 152.00 - Health Benefit Plans Using Limited, Regional Or Tiered Provider Networks
Section 152.06 - Marketing of and Enrollment in Limited, Regional and Tiered Provider Network Plans
Universal Citation: 211 MA Code of Regs 211.152
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Marketing of Limited, Regional and Tiered Provider Network Plans.
(a) Nothing in 211 CMR
152.06 shall affect a Carrier's obligation to comply with the requirements of
211 CMR 40.00.
(b) All Advertisements and Marketing
Materials shall clearly identify the Health Benefit Plans being offered by the
Carrier that only provide access through a Limited Provider Network, Regional
Provider Network or Tiered Provider Network. Carriers shall ensure that such
Advertisements and Marketing Materials specifically use the following terms as
applicable to the product: "Limited Provider Network", "Regional Provider
Network" or "Tiered Provider Network" so that Providers, employers and
subscribers and prospective subscribers may be fully informed about the
Provider Network features applicable to the offered Health Benefit Plan. In
addition, Carriers shall establish auditable internal marketing procedures,
methods for assuring compliance by Insurance Producers and prohibitions against
high-pressure tactics.
(c) All
Advertisements and Marketing Materials used in the sale, solicitation or
negotiation of a Carrier's Health Benefit Plan that uses a Limited Provider
Network, a Regional Provider Network or a Tiered Provider Network shall clearly
disclose to prospective Insureds the type of Provider Network and the exact
name of the Provider Network used for the plan. Insurance producers selling,
soliciting or negotiating a Carrier's Health Benefit Plan that uses a Limited
Provider Network, Regional Provider Network or Tiered Provider Network shall
use only those Advertisements or Marketing Materials that contain such a
disclosure.
(d) All Advertisements
and Marketing Materials used in the sale, solicitation or negotiation of a
Carrier's Health Benefit Plan that uses a Limited Provider Network, a Regional
Provider Network or a Tiered Provider Network shall include the following
disclosures:
1. The first or cover page of
the Advertisements or Marketing Material, or electronic drop down menu of a
web-based page, shall prominently disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner
how to access a list of the Provider Network Providers and how to request a
paper copy of the Health Benefit Plan's provider directory and shall provide a
Provider Network description statement substantially similar to the following:
a.
Limited/Regional Provider
Network. This plan provides access to a network that is smaller
than [Name of Carrier]'s [general provider network name] provider network. In
this plan members have access to network benefits only from the providers in
[name of network]. Please consult the [Limited/Regional] provider directory or
visit the provider search tool at [web address] to determine which providers
are included in the [name of network]."
b.
Tiered Provider
Network. This plan includes the Tiered Provider Network called
[name of network]. In this plan members pay different levels of [copayments,
coinsurance, deductibles] depending on the tier of the provider delivering a
covered service or supply. This plan may make changes to a provider's benefit
tier annually on [identify date]. Please consult the [name of network] provider
directory or visit the provider search tool at [web address] to determine the
tier of providers in [name of network]."
(e) A Carrier shall provide appropriate
training to any employee or Insurance Producer selling, soliciting or
negotiating its insurance products about the Carrier's Health Benefit Plans
that use Limited Provider Networks, Regional Provider Networks or Tiered
Provider Networks. Carriers shall maintain records of those employees and
Insurance Producers who have satisfactorily completed such training and make
such information available to the Commissioner upon request.
(2) Enrollment in Limited, Regional and Tiered Provider Network Plans.
(a) Within the application or related forms
or electronic interface that a Carrier or Insurance Producer uses to enroll a
prospective individual non-employment-based subscriber in a Health Benefit Plan
that uses a Limited Provider Network, a Regional Provider Network or a Tiered
Provider Network, shall be included a notice substantially similar to that in
211
CMR 152.11 and the prospective individual
non-employment-based subscriber shall acknowledge that he or she understands
the plan's Provider Network features. Prospective non-employment-based
subscribers may signify this understanding with an alternative or electronic
form of agreement and confirmation.
(b) A Health Benefit Plan that uses a Limited
Provider Network, a Regional Provider Network or a Tiered Provider Network may
only be effective for an individual non-employment-based subscriber to a Health
Benefit Plan if the prospective individual non-employment-based subscriber
receives a guide designated by the Commissioner prior to the time that the
prospective individual non-employment-based subscriber is presented with an
application or enrollment form or engages in any alternative or electronic
enrollment process.
(3) Any Carrier or Insurance Producer that fails to comply with any provisions of 211 CMR 152.06 may be deemed to have committed an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance in violation of M.G.L. c. 176D, § 3.
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