Bill No.: SF0037                  Drafter:  JWL

LSO No.:  11LSO-0321              Effective Date:  7/1/2011

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0069

Chapter No.:       165

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Emerich

Catch Title:       Health insurance definitions.

Subject:  Amends definitions of "private health benefit plan" and "disability insurance."

Summary/Major Elements:

• The Wyoming Insurance Code defines "disability insurance."  That definition includes insurance which is more popularly known as "health insurance," and related insurance products.

• This act:

o Clarifies that a "private health benefit plan" does not include insurance providing coverage for a specified disease or hospital confinement indemnity or other limited benefit health insurance;

o Creates a list of exceptions to the definition of "disability insurance,"  including accident only insurance, accidental death or dismemberment insurance, credit insurance, dental or vision care insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, long-term care insurance and various forms of limited benefit indemnity insurance that supplements health insurance;

o Directs the Insurance Department to review and recommend updates to the Code's definitions of insurance product terms.

Comments:

• Report required from Insurance Department to Corporations and Labor Committees by April 1, 2012 regarding the department's review of statutory definitions.