Member of Tennessee BPW/USA

Bill Signing - Health Insurance Continuance

Wed, 09 Aug 2006

Representing TNBPW were Cindy Burkitt, President, Tiffany
Striepling, Secretary, and Sandra Bennett, Member, of Heart of TN BPW. 
Representatives from the Nashville Women's Political Caucus and the
Tennessee Economic Council on Women were also present.

The "Health Insurance Continuance" bill, which was spearheaded by Patricia Thompson of East Memphis BPW, has been a legislative focus for TNBPW for several years.  An amended version of the original legislation was passed
this year, giving us a good "first step" in securing health insurance coverage for citizens of Tennessee who have lost the group insurance benefits they received from their spouse’s employer when a divorce or
separation occurs.

The amended legislation requires every insured or policy holder of a group policy of accident and sickness insurance sold in this state to provide at least 30 days' notice prior to termination of coverage of a spouse under this policy when a divorce, legal separation, or other separation has been filed or has become final. The notice must be in writing and sent via certified mail to the last known address of the spouse. This legislation also requires an employer to include a notice of these provisions in the plan summary for any group policy of accident and sickness insurance
offered to employees. The attorney for the insured in any divorce action must advise the insured or policyholder of the obligation imposed by this amendment. The administrative office of the courts would develop a model notice to
reflect these provisions. A second amendment provides that if, before entering an order or decree of divorce, “the court determines that the notification process has not been followed, then the court shall consider requiring the
insured or covered individual to provide a health care insurance policy for the former spouse”.  Patricia reminds us that BPW must continue to actively work for affordable health coverage with our legislators.

On July 21st, Governor Phil Bredesen signed this legislation into law, and the law will become effective

as of January 1,2007.  On hand at the signing were Cindy Burkitt, Tiffany Striepling and Sandra Bennett,

all of Heart of Tennessee BPW