New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 11 - INSURANCE
Chapter 21 - SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM
Subchapter 7 - PROGRAM COMPLIANCE
Section 11:21-7.8 - Effective date of employer's coverage
Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) A small employer carrier, prior to issuing a health benefits plan, may require the following:
(b) A small employer carrier shall provide notice to the employer within 15 business days of receipt by the small employer carrier of the information set forth in (a) above whether the small employer carrier approves or disapproves the employer's application for the health benefits plan. Except as stated in (c) below, if approved, the effective date of coverage under the health benefits plan shall be no later than the first day of the month following the date of notice of such approval by the small employer carrier unless the small employer has requested a later effective date which is agreed to by the small employer carrier.
(c) The effective date of coverage under a health benefits plan issued to an employer as a result of an application received during the employer annual open enrollment period shall be January 1 of the year following the employer annual open enrollment period.
(d) At the option and upon the request of the small employer, a waiting period may be applied by the small employer carrier with respect to employees when they first become eligible for coverage, not to exceed 90 days. Waiting periods may be applied to these employees by class of employee based upon conditions pertaining to employment.
(e) A small employer carrier may offer an automatic checking withdrawal option to small employer groups for the monthly or quarterly payment of premiums. In the event that a small employer carrier elects to offer an automatic checking withdrawal option, the carrier shall offer the same option to all small employer groups, regardless of the size of the group or the type of health benefits plan.