Bill > SB14

This bill modifies the effective dates for health insurance coverage in Maryland's Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange plans for individuals enrolling during specific special enrollment periods. The SHOP Exchange is a marketplace where small businesses can purchase health insurance. The bill clarifies that for dependents added due to a child support order or other court order, coverage can be effective on the date the court order is effective, or, if the SHOP Exchange allows and the employee chooses, on the first day of the month following the receipt of the plan selection. Similarly, for special enrollment periods due to death of an employee or dependent, or due to divorce or legal separation, coverage will become effective on the first day of the month following plan selection, regardless of when within the month the selection is received. These changes aim to provide more consistent and predictable effective dates for coverage in these specific situations.