Bill > HB555

This bill amends Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for association health plans. Key provisions include: 1. Establishing requirements for associations to sponsor association health plans, such as being actively in existence for at least two years, having a governing board with at least 75% employer members, and complying with ERISA requirements. 2. Requiring association health plan coverage to be guaranteed issue and renewable, subject to the Affordable Care Act's group market coverage requirements, and provide essential health benefits. 3. Directing health insurers to calculate rates and premiums for association health plans based on the collective group experience of enrolled employees, with some variations allowed for associations composed of employers in the same industry or that include sole proprietors. 4. Imposing penalties for violations of the new chapter, including fines and license suspensions or revocations, and deeming violations to be unfair insurance practices. The bill also makes repeals to existing laws to facilitate the addition of the new chapter on association health plans.