(a) All brokers, agents, or other entities offering a contract of disability insurance to persons 65 years of age or older in this state shall provide the prospective insured with a full and accurate written comparison with existing health coverage, and shall explain the relationship of the proposed coverage to any existing health benefits provided by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or any other health benefits available to the applicant. The written comparison shall be maintained in accordance with Section 10508.5. Disability insurers marketing through direct response to persons 65 years of age or older shall include in the application form questions to ascertain whether the prospective insured is currently 65 years of age or older, and whether the prospective insured is covered by Medi-Cal or a Medicare supplement policy. These direct response insurers shall provide the required comparison as early in the transaction as possible, but not later than the delivery of the insurance contract.

(b) The commissioner may prescribe a standard comparison form and an informational brochure that shall be distributed to every prospective insured at the time insurance is offered for sale by an agent, broker, or other producer. In the case of a transportation ticket policy, the informational brochures shall be delivered to the prospective insured not later than delivery of the insurance contract. Disability insurers marketing through direct response to persons 65 years of age or older shall provide the informational brochure as early in the transaction as possible, but not later than the delivery of the insurance contract.

(c) The amendments to this section made by Assembly Bill 1178 of the 2001-02 Regular Session shall become operative January 1, 2002.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 51, Sec. 2. Effective July 9, 2001. Amended version operative January 1, 2002, pursuant to immediate operation of new subdivision (c).)