06 LC 33
1131
Senate
Bill 439
By:
Senators Meyer von Bremen of the 12th, Hooks of the 14th and Golden of the 8th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the state
employeeś
health insurance plan, so as to provide that any employee or other individual
covered under the state health insurance plan who has been assessed any late
charge or surcharge due to noncompliance with any established deadline shall be
given an opportunity to provide proof of attempted compliance; to provide for
the cessation and recoupment of such charges and surcharges; to provide for
related matters; to provide for applicability; to provide for an effective date;
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the state
employeeś
health insurance plan, is amended by adding a new Code section to the end of
such article to read as follows:
∀45-18-20.
The
board shall provide that any employee or other individual covered under the
health insurance plan established pursuant to this article who has been assessed
any late charge or surcharge due to noncompliance with any established deadline
shall be given an opportunity to provide proof that he or she attempted to
comply with such deadline and was not able to comply due to circumstances beyond
his or her control. Proof of attempted compliance may include a computer screen
printout of a failed attempt due to technical reasons for an attempt to comply
through electronic means and a receipt for registered or certified mail or
statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, for an attempt to comply
by mail. In the event the employee or other individual provides such proof, the
board shall cease assessing such late charge or surcharge and shall cause to be
credited back to the employee or other individual any late charge or surcharge
which has already been assessed to and paid by or deducted from such employee or
other
individual.∀
SECTION
2.
This
Act shall apply to all plan years beginning on and after January 1,
2006.
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.