Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025
(a) An individual may advertise, in
compliance with Chapter 21, Subchapter B of this title (relating to Insurance
Advertising, Certain Trade Practices, and Solicitation), that the individual is
specially trained to serve small employers in the health benefit plan market if
the individual:
(1) holds a current life,
accident, and health license issued by the department;
(2) agrees to market small employer health
benefit plans to small employers that satisfy the requirements of the Insurance
Code Chapter 1501 without regard to the number of employees to be covered under
the plan;
(3) maintains on file
with the department a current business address, phone number, and general
description of the individual's service area;
(4) has completed a small employer health
benefit plan specialty certification course meeting the requirements of this
subchapter or qualifies for an exception from completion of the small employer
health benefit plan specialty certification course in accordance with the
Insurance Code §
4054.353(c);
and
(5) has passed an examination
testing the individual's knowledge and qualifications in compliance with the
requirements of §
19.1011 of this subchapter
(relating to Requirements for Successful Completion of Continuing Education
Courses) or qualifies for an exception from completion of the small employer
health benefit plan specialty certification course in accordance with the
Insurance Code §
4054.353(c).
(b) This section establishes the
standards for a small employer health benefit plan specialty certification
course. The course shall:
(1) be submitted to
the department for approval in compliance with §
19.1007 of this subchapter
(relating to Course Certification Submission Applications, Course Expirations,
and Resubmissions);
(2) be at least
eight hours in length;
(3) cover
each of the subjects described in subsection (e) of this section; and
(4) comply with the requirements of §
19.1011 of this
subchapter.
(c)
Licensees may count a small employer health benefit plan specialty
certification course toward completion of the continuing education requirements
prescribed in §
19.1003 of this subchapter
(relating to Licensee Requirements). If a licensee chooses to use a small
employer health benefit plan specialty certification course to satisfy a
portion of the continuing education requirements prescribed in §
19.1003 of this subchapter, the
licensee shall comply with §
19.1013 of this subchapter
(relating to Licensee Record Maintenance).
(d) A licensee shall maintain proof of
completion of a small employer health benefit plan specialty certification
course for a period of four years from the date of completion of the course.
Upon request, the licensee shall provide to the department the following:
(1) proof of completion of the small employer
health benefit plan specialty certification course; or
(2) proof of exception from completion of the
small employer health benefit plan specialty certification course in accordance
with the Insurance Code §
4054.353(c).
(e) Course subjects for a small
employer health benefit plan specialty certification course outline must
include topics that address:
(1) topics
related specifically to small employer health benefit plans;
(2) state and federal laws and rules related
to employer health benefit plans;
(3) anti-rebating and prohibited sales
practices regarding employer health benefit plans;
(4) federal programs and other alternatives
related to small employer health benefit plans; and
(5) fraudulent and unfair trade practices
regarding small employer health benefit plans.
