Electronic Communications in Health Care

Subject to specific requirements, the bill allows a notice to a party or other document required by law in an insurance transaction or that is to serve as evidence of health insurance coverage to be delivered, stored, and presented by electronic means if the electronic means meet the requirements of the "Uniform Electronic Transactions Act". The delivery of a notice or document by electronic means is considered the equivalent to and has the same effect as any other delivery method required by law. The bill requires health insurance carriers to deliver paper communications to individuals that may not have consistent access to the internet and to any individuals that may elect to receive paper communications upon request.

An insurance producer is not subject to civil liability for any harm or injury that occurs because of a party's election to receive any notice or document by electronic means or by a carrier's failure to deliver or a party's failure to receive a notice or document by electronic means.

A carrier may mail, deliver, or, if the carrier obtains separate, specific consent, post on the carrier's website a health coverage plan and an endorsement that does not contain personal identifying information. If the carrier elects to post a health coverage plan and an endorsement on the carrier's website in lieu of mailing or delivering the health coverage plan and endorsement, the carrier shall comply with certain conditions.

The commissioner of insurance is required to adopt rules to implement the bill.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)