24-A §5077. Nonforfeiture benefits

Title 24-A: MAINE INSURANCE CODE

Chapter 68-A: LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE HEADING: PL 1999, C. 292, §2 (NEW)

§5077. Nonforfeiture benefits

1. Offer required. Except as provided in subsection 2, a long-term care insurance policy or certificate may not be delivered or issued for delivery in this State unless the policyholder or certificate holder has been offered the option of purchasing a policy or certificate that includes a nonforfeiture benefit. The offer of a nonforfeiture benefit may be in the form of a rider that is attached to the policy. If the policyholder or certificate holder declines the nonforfeiture benefit, the insurer shall provide a contingent benefit upon lapse that must be made available for a specified period of time following a substantial increase in premium rates.

[ 1999, c. 292, §2 (NEW) .]

2. Group policyholders. When a group long-term care insurance policy is issued, the offer required in subsection 1 must be made to the group policyholder. If the group long-term care insurance policy is issued to a group described in section 2808 other than to a continuing care retirement community or other similar entity, the offer must be made to each proposed certificate holder.

[ 1999, c. 292, §2 (NEW) .]

3. Rules. The superintendent shall adopt rules specifying the type or types of nonforfeiture benefits to be offered as part of long-term care insurance policies and certificates, the standards for nonforfeiture benefits and the standards regarding contingent benefit upon lapse, including a determination of the specified period of time during which a contingent benefit upon lapse is available and the substantial premium rate increase that triggers a contingent benefit upon lapse as described in subsection 1. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

[ 1999, c. 292, §2 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1999, c. 292, §2 (NEW).