H.__At the expiration of any continued group coverage obtained under this subsection, the member or employee has the same conversion privileges as otherwise granted under this section.

I.__This subsection may not be construed to:

(1) Prevent members or employees from negotiating for or receiving greater continued coverage of group insurance than is provided in this subsection;

(2) Require coverage beyond the time limit set in paragraph F; or

(3) Permit a member or employee to increase the level of benefits or coverage that the member or employee received immediately before the termination of the employee's coverage.

J.__This subsection does not apply to any group policy subject to the United States Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, Public Law 99-272, Title X, Private Health Insurance Coverage, Sections 10001 to 10003.

Sec. 2. 24-A MRSA §4222-B, sub-§18, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 410, Pt. B, §3, is amended to read:

18. The requirement requirements of section 2809-A, subsection subsections 11 and 11-A to continue group coverage under certain circumstances applies apply to health maintenance organizations.

SUMMARY

This bill gives employees whose coverage under a group policy is terminated the right to maintain coverage under that group policy at the employee's expense for 18 months. The bill applies to group policies covering fewer than 20 employees.