July 13, 2023 - Introduced by Senators Cabral-Guevara, Feyen, Hutton and Testin, cosponsored by Representatives Moses, Brooks, Allen, Callahan, Gustafson, Kitchens, Palmeri, Rettinger, Schraa, Steffen, Tranel and VanderMeer. Referred to Committee on Insurance and Small Business.
SB362,,22An Act to create 610.63 of the statutes; relating to: permitted electronic transmissions under employer-sponsored health insurance policies and plans. SB362,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill allows an insurer or health maintenance organization to agree to deliver all communications related to an employer-sponsored group health benefit plan, group health plan, or, if provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance, limited scope-dental or vision benefits to persons covered under such a policy or plan by electronic means when the person’s employer consents to electronic delivery. In order to consent to electronic delivery, the employer must confirm that each employee covered under the policy or plan routinely uses electronic communications during the normal course of employment, was given an opportunity to opt out of delivery by electronic means, and will be given an opportunity to opt out of delivery by electronic means on an annual basis. Under current law, an insurer may deliver notices and documents to a party by electronic means if certain conditions are satisfied, including that the party affirmatively consented to that method of delivery and, before the party gave consent, the insurer provided the party with a clear and conspicuous statement informing the party of the right or option to have notices and documents provided or made available in paper or another nonelectronic form and the right of the party to withdraw their consent to have notices and documents delivered to them by electronic means.
SB362,,44The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: SB362,15Section 1. 610.63 of the statutes is created to read: SB362,,66610.63 Permitted insurance plan electronic transmissions. (1) In this section: SB362,,77(a) “Covered person” means an individual that receives health benefits through an employer-sponsored group health benefit plan, group health plan, or, if provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance, limited scope-dental or vision benefits. SB362,,88(b) “Employer” has the meaning given in s. 632.745 (6). SB362,,99(c) “Group health benefit plan” has the meaning given in s. 632.745 (9). SB362,,1010(d) “Group health plan” has the meaning given in s. 632.745 (10). SB362,,1111(e) “Health maintenance organization insurer” has the meaning given in s. 600.03 (23c). SB362,,1212(f) “Insurer” has the meaning given in s. 600.03 (27). SB362,,1313(2) (a) Notwithstanding s. 610.60 (3) (a), an insurer or health maintenance organization insurer may agree to deliver all communications related to an insurance policy, plan, or contract to a covered person by electronic means when the covered person’s employer consents to electronic delivery of documents on behalf of the covered person under the insurance policy, plan, or contract pursuant to par. (b). SB362,,1414(b) An employer may consent to the delivery of all communications related to an insurance policy, plan, or contract to covered persons by electronic means if the employer confirms all of the following for each covered person: SB362,,15151. The covered person routinely uses electronic communications during the normal course of employment. SB362,,16162. The covered person was given an opportunity to opt out of delivery by electronic means and will be given an opportunity to opt out of delivery by electronic means on an annual basis. SB362,,1717(c) An employer that consents to the delivery of all communications related to an insurance policy, plan, or contract by electronic means under par. (b) must confirm that all new covered persons will routinely use electronic communications during the normal course of employment and be given an opportunity to opt out of delivery by electronic means when added to the insurance policy, plan, or contract. SB362,,1818(d) Insurers and health maintenance organization insurers shall document compliance under this section.
