Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 3.djvu/221

 PUBLIC LAW 104-191—AUG. 21, 1996 110 STAT. 1951 in whole or in part, through a defined set of providers under contract with the issuer. "(4) PLACED FOR ADOPTION.— The term 'placement', or being 'placed', for adoption, has the meaning given such term in section 609(c)(3)(B). "SEC. 707. REGULATIONS. 29 USC 1191c. "The Secretary, consistent with section 104 of the Health Care Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this part. The Secretary may promulgate any interim final rules as the Secretary determines are appropriate to carry out this part.". (b) ENFORCEMENT WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH INSURANCE ISSU- ERS.— Section 502(b) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1132(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: "(3) The Secretary is not authorized to enforce under this part any requirement of part 7 against a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan (as defined in section 706(a)(1)). Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the authority of the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out such part.". (c) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO PARTICIPANTS AND BENE- FICIARIES.— (1) IN GENERAL.— Section 104(b)(1) of such Act (29 U.S.C 1024(b)(1)) is amended in the matter following subparagraph (By— (A) by striking "102(a)(1)," and inserting "102(a)(1) (other than a material reduction in covered services or benefits provided in the case of a group health plan (as defined in section 706(a)(1))),"; and (B) by adding at the end the following new sentences: "If there is a modification or change described in section 102(a)(1) that is a material reduction in covered services or benefits provided under a group health plgin (as defined in section 706(a)(1)), a summary description of such modification or change shall be furnished to participants and beneficiaries not later than 60 days after the date of the adoption of the modification or change. In the alternative, the plan sponsors may provide such description at regular intervals of not more than 90 days. The Secretary shall ' issue regulations within 180 days after the date of enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, providing alternative mechanisms to delivery by mail through which group health plans (as so defined) may notify participants and beneficiaries of material reductions in covered services or benefits.". (2) PLAN DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY.— Section 102(b) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1022(b)) is amended— (A) by inserting "in the case of a group health plan (as defined in section 706(a)(1)), whether a health insurance issuer (as defined in section 706(b)(2)) is responsible for the finsincing or administration (including pa5anent of claims) of the plan and (if so) the name and address of such issuer;" ^ter "type of administration of the plan;"; and

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