DE| The Delaware Department of Insurance Universally Applicable Bulletin No. 11 summarizes insurance-related laws enacted during the 2025 session of the Delaware General Assembly. It is designed to inform regulated entities of important statutory changes but does not provide detailed legal analysis. Below is a list of each law or bill referenced, with a brief description of its subject:
General Bills:
- House Bill 18: Increases and centralizes insurance licensing fees, partially retaining them in the regulatory revolving fund.
- HB Substitute 1 for HB 139: Grants the State Insurance Coverage Office standing in line-of-duty death benefit claims and removes mandatory hearings for uncontested cases.
- House Bill 7: Resolves captive insurer and surplus lines broker premium tax inconsistencies in the Insurance Code.
- House Bill 74: Clarifies that documents given to the Insurance Commissioner during an examination remain privileged/confidential.
- HB Substitute 1 for HB 55: Establishes military status as a protected class in state discrimination laws, including for insurance.
- Senate Bill 12 with SA 1: Sets pre-authorization standards for healthcare services to improve transparency and consistency across insurance carriers.
- Senate Bill 71: Creates special enrollment periods for Medicare supplement policies, easing plan transfers and enrollment.
- HB Substitute 1 for HB 212: Shortens the recovery window for health insurance overpayments and tightens audit/fraud procedures.
- House Bill 209: Aligns Delaware law with federal ACA standards, including nondiscrimination and telehealth rules.
- House Bill 56: Mandates insurance coverage for medically necessary removal of excess skin/subcutaneous tissue.
- House Bill 140: Authorizes medical aid in dying for terminally ill adults under strict safeguards (End of Life Options Law).
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 111: Establishes a task force to recommend reforms to lower auto insurance costs.
- HB Substitute 1 for HB 128: Revises the state Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program to clarify obligations under private and state plans.
- HB Substitute 1 for HB 147: Enacts the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, allowing property transfer without probate.
- Senate Bill 145 with SA 1: Modernizes workers’ compensation payment systems and strengthens funding for workplace safety oversight.
- Senate Bill 164 with SA 1: Increases provider reimbursement rates for evaluation and management services in workers’ comp cases.
- House Bill 205 with Amendments: Protects healthcare providers who deliver lawful services in Delaware but may be penalized elsewhere, including shield provisions for records and liability.
- House Bill 192: Expands pension eligibility for police, firefighters, and surviving spouses by raising allowable special fund benefit thresholds.
Previously enacted, now effective for all plans issued after Dec. 31, 2025:
- HB Substitute 2 for HB 110: Requires insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortion services, with cost sharing protections.
- House Bill 274: Mandates coverage for infant dietary supplements to help prevent allergies.
- House Bill 364: Requires insurance coverage for FDA-approved cancer drug side effects; bans step therapy for metastatic cancer drugs.
- House Bill 362: Requires coverage for certified doula services, including prenatal, birth, and postpartum support.