(1) The association shall accept applications for insurance only until June 30, 1991, after which date no further applications may be accepted. Upon receipt of an application for insurance, the association shall issue coverage for an eligible applicant. When appropriate, the administrator shall forward a copy of the application to a market assistance plan created by the office, which shall conduct a diligent search of the private marketplace for a carrier willing to accept the application.
(2) The office shall, after consultation with the health insurers licensed in this state, adopt a market assistance plan to assist in the placement of risks of Florida Comprehensive Health Association applicants. All health insurers and health maintenance organizations licensed in this state shall participate in the plan.
(3) Guidelines for the use of such program shall be a part of the association’s plan of operation. The guidelines shall describe which types of applications are to be exempt from submission to the market assistance plan. An exemption shall be based upon a determination that due to a specific health condition an applicant is ineligible for coverage in the standard market. The guidelines shall also describe how the market assistance plan is to be conducted, and how the periodic reviews to depopulate the association are to be conducted.
(4) If a carrier is found through the market assistance plan, the individual shall apply to that company. If the individual’s application is accepted, association coverage shall terminate upon the effective date of the coverage with the private carrier. For the purpose of applying a preexisting condition limitation or exclusion, any carrier accepting a risk pursuant to this section shall provide coverage as if it began on the date coverage was effectuated on behalf of the association, and shall be indemnified by the association for claims costs incurred as a result of utilizing such effective date.
(5) The association shall establish a policyholder assistance program by July 1, 1991, to assist in placing eligible policyholders in other coverage programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
1Note.—A. Section 12, ch. 90-334, provides that “[i]f an [assessment] against any insurer or insurers under the Florida Comprehensive Health Association Act is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful or prohibited, it is the intent of the Legislature that all provisions in ss. 627.648-627.6498 relating to assessments for funding the deficit of the association that were in effect on January 1, 1990 be reenacted and reinstated.”
B. As amended by s. 2, ch. 91-304. Section 10(2) and (3), ch. 91-304, provides that:
“(2) In the event that the application of the assessment to minimum premium plans, stop-loss plans or any other specific type of insurer or health insurance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, then the assessment method specified in this act shall continue to apply to all other insurers.
“(3) The provisions of section 12 of chapter 90-335 [The reference is apparently in error. Section 12, ch. 90-335, concerns public printing; ch. 90-334 is relevant], Laws of Florida, shall continue in full force and effect, but the provisions of this section shall control to the extent of any conflict.”
