(a) At the option of a bona fide trade association, or its designated agent, a health maintenance organization that sells health insurance to the bona fide trade association shall treat the bona fide trade association and its members as a group for the purpose of issuing a group contract; provided that:
Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 432D-1.5
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
and provided further that this section shall be inapplicable if less than two persons from the bona fide trade association seek to be insured under the group policy.
(b) As used in this section:
“Bona fide trade association” means an association of persons organized to promote common interests and comprised of persons engaged in a business, trade, or profession that:
(1) Has been actively in existence for five years;
(2) Has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance;
(3) Does not condition membership in the association on any health status related factor pertaining to an individual (including an employee of an employer or a dependent of an employee);
(4) Makes health insurance coverage offered through the association available to all members regardless of any health status related factor pertaining to such members (or individuals eligible for coverage through a member);
(5) Does not make health insurance coverage offered through the association available other than in connection with a member of the association; and
(6) Meets such additional requirements as may be imposed under state law.
