Department of regulatory agencies 
DIVISION OF INSURANCE
3 CCR 702-4
LIFE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH
New Regulation 4-2-29
CONCERNING THE RULES FOR STANDARDIZED CARDS ISSUED TO PERSONS COVERED BY HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS
Section 1	Authority
Section 2	Scope and Purpose
Section 3	Applicability
Section 4	Definitions
Section 5	Rules
Section 6	Severability
Section 7	Enforcement
Section 8	Effective Date
Section 9	History
Section 1	Authority
This regulation is being promulgated pursuant to the authority granted to the Commissioner of Insurance in §10-1-109, C.R.S. and is adopted by the Commissioner of Insurance pursuant to the requirement in §10-16-135, C.R.S.
Section 2	Background and Purpose
The purpose of this regulation is to provide health carriers the guidance necessary to implement Senate Bill 135 enacted in 2008 by the Colorado General Assembly and effective on July 1, 2009.  
Section 3	Applicability and Scope
This regulation applies to all individual and group health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2009 by entities subject to Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 of Article 16 of Title 10 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, and to any person enrolling in an existing plan on or after July 1, 2009. 
Section 4	Definitions
A.	“Carrier” shall have the same meaning as set forth in §10-16-102(8), C.R.S.
B.	“Clear and conspicuous” as used in this regulation means that the placement of the required information will be set apart from other information listed to allow it to be easily located on the card.
C.	“Health benefit plan” shall have the same meaning as set forth in §10-16-102(21), C.R.S.
D.	"Limited benefit health insurance" means a health policy, contract or certificate offered or marketed on an individual or group basis as supplemental health insurance that pays specified amounts according to a schedule of benefits to defray the costs of care, services, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance amounts not covered by a health benefit plan.  “Limited benefit health insurance” does not include short-term limited duration health insurance policies, contracts or certificates; high deductible plans; or catastrophic health policies, contracts or certificates.  Such non-supplemental plans are included under the term “health benefit plan”. 
Section 5	Rules
A.	The requirements of this regulation shall apply to identification cards issued to persons covered under health benefit plans.  These requirements do not apply to identification cards issued to persons covered by limited benefit health insurance plans.
B.	The card size shall be approximately 2.125 inches by 3.370 inches, which is consistent with standard-sized credit cards, and shall be either made of plastic, or laminated.
C.	The colors used for the card and font shall be legible and conducive to black and white photocopying.
D.	The following information shall appear on the front side of the identification card, in no less than 8 point font:
1.	The legal name of the carrier underwriting the policy, but a “dba” may also be included;
2.	The covered person’s first name, middle initial (if applicable), and last name;
3.	Any applicable policy, certificate, or group numbers, and the subscriber’s or covered person’s identifying number, as applicable, which is sufficient to identify the covered person with the policy;
4.	The specific plan number or name;
5.	The plan type (such as HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), POS (Point-of-Service), PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), or Indemnity (non-managed care plan));
6.	Coverage levels for the following services.  If all services are subject to the plan’s deductible and applicable coinsurance, a non-specific amount notation of “Deductible and coinsurance” is sufficient; otherwise, the required copayments should be specified.  If both a deductible and copayment apply, a non-specific amount notation of “Deductible”  is sufficient, followed by the specified copayment amount.
a.	Primary care;
b.	Specialty care;
c.	After hours/urgent care;
d.	Emergency room; and
e.	Inpatient hospital.
7.	The designation “CO-DOI” for any and all plans regulated in whole or in part by the State of Colorado’s Division of Insurance.  This designation shall be placed on the card in a clear and conspicuous manner. 
E.	The following information shall appear on either the front or reverse side of the identification card at the carrier’s discretion, in no less than 8 point font:
1.	Contact information for the carrier or plan administrator which includes:
a.	Name and address for claim submissions;
b.	Telephone number(s) for member/customer service;	
c.	Website address;
d.	If applicable, a statement that preauthorization or notification for hospitalization or other services may be required and the telephone number to obtain such preauthorization or to make notification.
e.	If the carrier does not use its own managed care provider network, the logo, name of the network, website, or toll-free number where provider network information can be readily obtained. 
2.	“Card issued” date; however, this date shall be displayed in a clear and conspicuous manner.
F.	The card may include other information at the carrier’s discretion.
Section 6	Severability
If any provision of this regulation or the application of it to any person or circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid, the remainder of this regulation shall not be affected. 
Section 7	Enforcement
Noncompliance with this regulation may result, after proper notice and hearing, in the imposition of any of the sanctions made available in the Colorado statutes pertaining to the business of insurance or other laws which include the imposition of fines, issuance of cease and desist orders, and/or suspensions or revocation of certificates of authority.  Among others, the penalties provided for in §10-3-1108, C.R.S., may be applied.  
Section 8	Effective Date
This regulation shall become effective on October 1, 2008.
Section 9	History
New regulation is effective October 1, 2008.