Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 044 - Insurance Dept
Sub-Agency 0002 - General Agency, Board or Commission Rules
Chapter 49 - REGULATION TO IMPLEMENT THE SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE AVAILABILITY ACT
Section 49-16 - Continuation

(a) Continuation of coverage shall be made available to any eligible employee or dependent of an eligible employee who has been continuously covered by the health benefit plan during the entire three (3) month period ending with the termination of eligibility. Continuation must be made available to the eligible employee regardless of whether or not the covered dependents elect to continue coverage under W.S. § 26-19-113 and this regulation. Continuation must be made available to dependents of eligible employees who terminate employment or membership or eligibility regardless of whether or not the eligible employee continues coverage as provided in W.S. § 26-19-113 and this regulation.

(b) Former eligible employees or their dependents of the group that are continuing their coverage are not to be counted towards fulfilling that group's minimum participation requirements.

(c) The small group employer solely shall designate to whom the payment of premiums are to be made. This designation shall be made at the time continuation of coverage is elected. This designation shall be done in writing and be delivered to the former eligible employee who is electing to continue coverage as set forth in W.S. § 26-19-113.

(d) The former eligible employee or the dependent of a former eligible employee must notify the small employer of his or her desire to continue coverage as set forth in W.S. § 26-19-113. The notification must be within thirty-one (31) days after the expiration of coverage. This notification shall also include the former eligible employee's and\or dependent's election to continue dental, vision or other benefits that are in addition to the hospital, surgical, or other major medical benefits that were in the small employer group policy. This election can be made only once, and the decision is irrevocable after the election.

(e) Grace period provisions that apply to former eligible employees who are continuing their coverage shall not be more restrictive than the grace period provisions that apply to the small employer group policy in which they were previously enrolled.

(f) For the purposes of this section, "former eligible employees" shall be defined as an eligible employee or dependent who has lost coverage under the small employer health benefit plan and is eligible to enroll for continuation of coverage, or who is currently continuing coverage as set forth in W.S. § 26-19-113.