{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-3538.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-3538.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-3538.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-3538.html"}],"law_id":65230,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65230,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3538","catch_line":"Payment of benefits","history":"1986, c. 562; 1991, c. 87.","full_text":"Each group accident and sickness insurance policy shall contain a provision that benefits for loss of life of the person insured shall be payable to the beneficiary designated by the person insured. However, if the policy contains conditions pertaining to family status, the beneficiary may be the family member specified by the policy terms. In either case, payment of those benefits is subject to the provisions of the policy in the event no such designated or specified beneficiary is living at the death of the person insured. The policy may also provide that if any benefit is payable to the estate of a person, or to a person who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the insurer may pay the benefit, up to an amount not exceeding $5,000, to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the person who is deemed by the insurer to be equitably entitled to the benefit. The policy may also provide that all or any portion of any benefits provided for health care services may be paid to the health care services provider. All other benefits of the policy shall be payable to the person insured.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":237278,"text":"Each group accident and sickness insurance policy shall contain a provision that benefits for loss of life of the person insured shall be payable to the beneficiary designated by the person insured. However, if the policy contains conditions pertaining to family status, the beneficiary may be the family member specified by the policy terms. In either case, payment of those benefits is subject to the provisions of the policy in the event no such designated or specified beneficiary is living at the death of the person insured. The policy may also provide that if any benefit is payable to the estate of a person, or to a person who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the insurer may pay the benefit, up to an amount not exceeding $5,000, to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the person who is deemed by the insurer to be equitably entitled to the benefit. The policy may also provide that all or any portion of any benefits provided for health care services may be paid to the health care services provider. All other benefits of the policy shall be payable to the person insured.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13628,"edition_id":1,"name":"Group Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13348,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:25","permalink":{"id":215739,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13628,"identifier":"3","token":"38.2\/35\/3","url":"\/38.2\/35\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13348,"edition_id":1,"name":"Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies","identifier":"35","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:41","permalink":{"id":215641,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13348,"identifier":"35","token":"38.2\/35","url":"\/38.2\/35\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82746,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3521","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3521\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3521","metadata":false},{"id":83222,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3521.1","catch_line":"Group accident and sickness insurance definitions","url":"\/38.2-3521.1\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3521.1","metadata":false},{"id":62206,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3521.2","catch_line":"Blanket accident and sickness insurance","url":"\/38.2-3521.2\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3521.2","metadata":false},{"id":61357,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3522","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3522\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3522","metadata":false},{"id":67462,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3522.1","catch_line":"Limits of group accident and sickness insurance","url":"\/38.2-3522.1\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3522.1","metadata":false},{"id":57697,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3523","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3523\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3523","metadata":false},{"id":71976,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3523.1","catch_line":"Review of records","url":"\/38.2-3523.1\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3523.1","metadata":false},{"id":61669,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3523.2","catch_line":"Policies issued outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia","url":"\/38.2-3523.2\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3523.2","metadata":false},{"id":59982,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3523.3","catch_line":"Requirements for those marketing group accident and sickness insurance","url":"\/38.2-3523.3\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3523.3","metadata":false},{"id":84584,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3523.4","catch_line":"Minimum number of persons covered","url":"\/38.2-3523.4\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3523.4","metadata":false},{"id":54597,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3524","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3524\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3524","metadata":false},{"id":78059,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3525","catch_line":"Group accident and sickness insurance coverages of spouses, dependent children or other persons","url":"\/38.2-3525\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3525","metadata":false},{"id":70591,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3526","catch_line":"Standard provisions required; exceptions","url":"\/38.2-3526\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3526","metadata":false},{"id":66611,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3527","catch_line":"Grace period","url":"\/38.2-3527\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3527","metadata":false},{"id":71054,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3528","catch_line":"Incontestability","url":"\/38.2-3528\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3528","metadata":false},{"id":80053,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3529","catch_line":"Entire contract; statements deemed representations","url":"\/38.2-3529\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3529","metadata":false},{"id":59015,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3530","catch_line":"Evidence of individual insurability","url":"\/38.2-3530\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3530","metadata":false},{"id":57577,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3531","catch_line":"Additional exclusions and limitations","url":"\/38.2-3531\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3531","metadata":false},{"id":66450,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3532","catch_line":"Misstatement of age","url":"\/38.2-3532\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3532","metadata":false},{"id":85603,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3533","catch_line":"Individual certificates","url":"\/38.2-3533\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3533","metadata":false},{"id":72638,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3534","catch_line":"Notice of claim","url":"\/38.2-3534\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3534","metadata":false},{"id":65149,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3535","catch_line":"Claim forms","url":"\/38.2-3535\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3535","metadata":false},{"id":79101,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3536","catch_line":"Proofs of loss","url":"\/38.2-3536\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3536","metadata":false},{"id":72065,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3537","catch_line":"Time of payment of claims","url":"\/38.2-3537\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3537","metadata":false},{"id":65230,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3538","catch_line":"Payment of benefits","url":"\/38.2-3538\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3538","metadata":false},{"id":69184,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3539","catch_line":"Physical examinations and autopsy","url":"\/38.2-3539\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3539","metadata":false},{"id":77451,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3540","catch_line":"Legal actions","url":"\/38.2-3540\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3540","metadata":false},{"id":58127,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3540.1","catch_line":"Claims experience","url":"\/38.2-3540.1\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3540.1","metadata":false},{"id":82316,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3540.2","catch_line":"Employee wellness program","url":"\/38.2-3540.2\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3540.2","metadata":false},{"id":55325,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3541","catch_line":"Continuation on termination of eligibility","url":"\/38.2-3541\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3541","metadata":false},{"id":61422,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3541.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3541.1\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3541.1","metadata":false},{"id":63267,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3541.2","catch_line":"Enrollment following change in eligibility status under assistance programs","url":"\/38.2-3541.2\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3541.2","metadata":false},{"id":75709,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3542","catch_line":"Notice to employees upon termination of coverage; penalty for failure to remit funds","url":"\/38.2-3542\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3542","metadata":false},{"id":81170,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3543","catch_line":"Provisions required by other jurisdictions","url":"\/38.2-3543\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3543","metadata":false},{"id":83285,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3543.1","catch_line":"Regulations","url":"\/38.2-3543.1\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3543.1","metadata":false},{"id":65251,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3543.2","catch_line":"Applicability of laws","url":"\/38.2-3543.2\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3543.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72065,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3537","catch_line":"Time of payment of claims","url":"\/38.2-3537\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3537","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":69184,"structure_id":13628,"section_number":"38.2-3539","catch_line":"Physical examinations and autopsy","url":"\/38.2-3539\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3539","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-3538\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1986. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 562 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1986 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 1991, chapter 87.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78059,"section_number":"38.2-3525","catch_line":"Group accident and sickness insurance coverages of spouses, dependent children or other persons","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3525\/"},{"id":70591,"section_number":"38.2-3526","catch_line":"Standard provisions required; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3526\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":215837,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65230,"identifier":"38.2-3538","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3538","url":"\/38.2-3538\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-3538\/","token":"38.2\/35\/3\/38.2-3538","dublin_core":{"Title":"Payment of benefits","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-3538","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Each group accident and sickness <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> policy shall contain a provision that benefits for loss of life of the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> insured shall be payable to the beneficiary designated by the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> insured. However, if the policy contains conditions pertaining to family status, the beneficiary may be the family member specified by the policy terms. In either case, payment of those benefits is subject to the provisions of the policy in the event no such designated or specified beneficiary is living at the death of the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> insured. The policy may also provide that if any benefit is payable to the estate of a <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span>, or to a <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> who is a <span class=\"dictionary\">minor<\/span> or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> may pay the benefit, up to an amount not exceeding $5,000, to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> who is deemed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> to be equitably entitled to the benefit. The policy may also provide that all or any portion of any benefits provided for health care services may be paid to the health care services provider. All other benefits of the policy shall be payable to the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> insured.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPAYMENT OF BENEFITS (\u00a7 38.2-3538)\n\nEach group accident and sickness insurance policy shall contain a provision that\nbenefits for loss of life of the person insured shall be payable to the\nbeneficiary designated by the person insured. However, if the policy contains\nconditions pertaining to family status, the beneficiary may be the family member\nspecified by the policy terms. In either case, payment of those benefits is\nsubject to the provisions of the policy in the event no such designated or\nspecified beneficiary is living at the death of the person insured. The policy\nmay also provide that if any benefit is payable to the estate of a person, or to\na person who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the\ninsurer may pay the benefit, up to an amount not exceeding $5,000, to any\nrelative by blood or connection by marriage of the person who is deemed by the\ninsurer to be equitably entitled to the benefit. The policy may also provide\nthat all or any portion of any benefits provided for health care services may be\npaid to the health care services provider. All other benefits of the policy\nshall be payable to the person insured.\n\nHISTORY: 1986, c. 562; 1991, c. 87.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}