This subsection is repealed January 1, 2007.

Sec. A-2. 24-A MRSA §2839-A, sub-§§1-A and 3 are enacted to read:

1-A.__Notice of rate increase on existing policies renewed in calendar year 2006. Notwithstanding subsection 1, for existing policies renewed in calendar year 2006, an insurer offering group health insurance for 2006 plan years, except for accidental injury, specified disease, hospital indemnity, disability income, Medicare supplement, long-term care or other limited benefit group health insurance, must provide written notice by first class mail of a rate increase to all affected policyholders or others who are directly billed for group coverage at least 30 days before the effective date of any increase in premium rates. An increase in premium rates may not be implemented until 30 days after the notice is provided.

This subsection is repealed January 1, 2007.

3.__Notice of rate increase on new business for calendar year 2006. Notwithstanding subsection 2, for new business quoted in calendar year 2006 by an insurer offering group health insurance, except for accidental injury, specified disease, hospital indemnity, disability income, Medicare supplement, long-term care or other limited benefit group health insurance, quotes a rate for new business, the insurer must disclose any rate increase that the insurer anticipates implementing within the following 30 days. If the quote is in writing, the disclosure must also be in writing. If such disclosure is not provided, an increase may not be implemented until at least 30 days after the date the quote is provided.

This subsection is repealed January 1, 2007.

Sec. A-3. 24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8, is repealed.

Sec. A-4. 24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§4-A is enacted to read: