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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>57210</law_id><section_number>38.2-3438</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>32.1-137.010</reference><reference>32.1-137.2</reference><reference>38.2-3406.1</reference><reference>38.2-3406.2</reference><reference>38.2-3407.11</reference><reference>38.2-3407.15:4</reference><reference>38.2-3407.15:5</reference><reference>38.2-3407.15:6</reference><reference>38.2-3407.17:1</reference><reference>38.2-3407.21</reference><reference>38.2-3411.1</reference><reference>38.2-3412.1</reference><reference>38.2-3417</reference><reference>38.2-3418.5</reference><reference>38.2-3418.8</reference><reference>38.2-3430.3</reference><reference>38.2-3431</reference><reference>38.2-3432.2</reference><reference>38.2-3432.3</reference><reference>38.2-3436</reference><reference>38.2-3444</reference><reference>38.2-3447</reference><reference>38.2-3455</reference><reference>38.2-3465</reference><reference>38.2-3500</reference><reference>38.2-3501</reference><reference>38.2-3503</reference><reference>38.2-3516</reference><reference>38.2-3520</reference><reference>38.2-3521.1</reference><reference>38.2-3522.1</reference><reference>38.2-3523.4</reference><reference>38.2-3525</reference><reference>38.2-3540.2</reference><reference>38.2-3551</reference><reference>38.2-4109</reference><reference>38.2-4306</reference><reference>38.2-4312.3</reference><reference>38.2-508.1</reference><reference>38.2-508.5</reference><reference>38.2-6600</reference><reference>59.1-611</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="38.2">Insurance</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="34">Provisions Relating to Accident and Sickness Insurance</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Federal Market Reforms</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Allowed amount</span>&#x201D; means the maximum portion of a billed charge a <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> will pay, including any applicable <span class="dictionary">cost-sharing requirements</span>, for a covered service or item rendered by a participating provider or by a <span class="dictionary">nonparticipating</span> provider.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Balance bill</span>&#x201D; means a bill sent to an enrollee by an <span class="dictionary">out-of-<span class="dictionary">network</span></span> provider for <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> provided to the enrollee after the provider&#x2019;s billed amount is not fully reimbursed by the carrier, exclusive of applicable <span class="dictionary">cost-sharing requirements</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Behavioral health crisis service provider</span>&#x201D; means a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide mental health or substance abuse services as a provider of mobile crisis response, residential crisis stabilization, or a crisis receiving center.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Child</span>&#x201D; means a son, daughter, stepchild, adopted <span class="dictionary">child</span>, including a <span class="dictionary">child</span> placed for adoption, foster <span class="dictionary">child</span>, or any other <span class="dictionary">child</span> eligible for coverage under the <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Cost-sharing requirement</span>&#x201D; means an enrollee&#x2019;s deductible, copayment amount, or coinsurance <span class="dictionary">rate</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Covered benefits</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;benefits&#x201D; means those <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> to which an individual is entitled under the terms of a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Covered person</span>&#x201D; means a policyholder, subscriber, enrollee, participant, or other individual covered by a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Dependent</span>&#x201D; means the spouse or <span class="dictionary">child</span> of an eligible employee, subject to the applicable terms of the policy, <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, or plan covering the eligible employee.
		&#x201C;Emergency medical condition&#x201D; means, regardless of the final diagnosis rendered to a <span class="dictionary">covered person</span>, a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, so that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in (i) serious jeopardy to the mental or physical health of the individual, (ii) danger of serious impairment to bodily functions, (iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part, or (iv) in the case of a pregnant woman, serious jeopardy to the health of the fetus.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Emergency services</span>&#x201D; means with respect to an emergency medical condition (i) (a) a medical screening examination as required under &#xA7;&#xA0;1867 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA0;1395dd) that is within the capability of the emergency department of a hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate such emergency medical condition, and (b) such further medical examination and treatment, to the extent they are within the capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, as are required under &#xA7;&#xA0;1867 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA0;1395dd (e)(3)) to <span class="dictionary">stabilize</span> the patient and (ii) as it relates to any mental health services or substance abuse services, as those terms are defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Coverage for mental health and substance use disorders" href="/38.2-3412.1/">38.2-3412.1</a>, rendered at a <span class="dictionary">behavioral health crisis service provider</span> (a) a behavioral health assessment that is within the capability of a <span class="dictionary">behavioral health crisis service provider</span>, including ancillary services routinely available to evaluate such emergency medical condition, and (b) such further examination and treatment, to the extent that they are within the capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the <span class="dictionary">behavioral health crisis service provider</span>, as are required so that the patient&#x2019;s condition does not deteriorate.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">ERISA</span>&#x201D; means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
		&#x201C;Essential health benefits&#x201D; include the following general categories and the items and services covered within the categories in accordance with regulations issued pursuant to the <span class="dictionary">PPACA</span> as of January 1, 2019: (i) ambulatory patient services; (ii) <span class="dictionary">emergency services</span>; (iii) hospitalization; (iv) laboratory services; (v) maternity and newborn care; (vi) mental health and substance abuse disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; (vii) pediatric services, including oral and vision care; (viii) prescription drugs; (ix) preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and (x) rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Facility</span>&#x201D; means an institution providing health care related services or a health care setting, including hospitals and other licensed inpatient centers; ambulatory surgical or treatment centers; skilled nursing centers; residential treatment centers; diagnostic, laboratory, and imaging centers; and rehabilitation and other therapeutic health settings.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Genetic information</span>&#x201D; means, with respect to an individual, information about: (i) the individual&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">genetic tests</span>; (ii) the <span class="dictionary">genetic tests</span> of the individual&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">family members</span>; (iii) the manifestation of a disease or disorder in <span class="dictionary">family members</span> of the individual; or (iv) any request for, or receipt of, <span class="dictionary">genetic services</span>, or participation in clinical research that includes <span class="dictionary">genetic services</span>, by the individual or any <span class="dictionary">family member</span> of the individual. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Genetic information</span>&#x201D; does not include information about the sex or age of any individual. As used in this definition, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">family member</span>&#x201D; includes a first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, or fourth-degree relative of a <span class="dictionary">covered person</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Genetic services</span>&#x201D; means (i) a <span class="dictionary">genetic test</span>; (ii) genetic counseling, including obtaining, interpreting, or assessing <span class="dictionary">genetic information</span>; or (iii) genetic education.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Genetic test</span>&#x201D; means an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites, if the analysis detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Genetic test</span>&#x201D; does not include an analysis of proteins or metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Grandfathered plan</span>&#x201D; means coverage provided by a <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> to (i) a small employer on March 23, 2010, or (ii) an individual that was enrolled on March 23, 2010, including any extension of coverage to an individual who becomes a <span class="dictionary">dependent</span> of a grandfathered enrollee after March 23, 2010, for as long as such plan maintains that status in accordance with federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Group health insurance coverage</span>&#x201D; means health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Group health plan</span>&#x201D; means an employee welfare benefit plan as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;3(1) of <span class="dictionary">ERISA</span> to the extent that the plan provides medical care within the meaning of &#xA7;&#xA0;733(a) of <span class="dictionary">ERISA</span> to employees, including both current and former employees, or their <span class="dictionary">dependents</span> as defined under the terms of the plan directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health benefit plan</span>&#x201D; means a policy, <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, certificate, or agreement offered by a <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any of the costs of <span class="dictionary">health care services</span>. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health benefit plan</span>&#x201D; includes short-term and catastrophic health <span class="dictionary">insurance policies</span>, and a policy that pays on a cost-incurred basis, except as otherwise specifically exempted in this definition. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health benefit plan</span>&#x201D; does not include the &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">excepted benefits</span>&#x201D; as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Application of article; definitions" href="/38.2-3431/">38.2-3431</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health care professional</span>&#x201D; means a physician or other health care practitioner licensed, accredited, or certified to perform specified <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> consistent with <span class="dictionary">state</span> <span class="dictionary">law</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health care provider</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;provider&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">health care professional</span> or <span class="dictionary">facility</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health care services</span>&#x201D; means services for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure, or relief of a health condition, illness, injury, or disease.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health carrier</span>&#x201D; means an entity subject to the insurance <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and regulations of the Commonwealth and subject to the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> that <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> or offers to <span class="dictionary">contract</span> to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any of the costs of <span class="dictionary">health care services</span>, including an <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> licensed to sell accident and sickness insurance, a <span class="dictionary">health maintenance organization</span>, a <span class="dictionary">health services plan</span>, or any other entity providing a plan of health insurance, health benefits, or <span class="dictionary">health care services</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health maintenance organization</span>&#x201D; means a person licensed pursuant to Chapter 43 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/38.2-4300/">38.2-4300</a> et seq.).
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Health status-related factor</span>&#x201D; means any of the following factors: health status; medical condition, including physical and mental illnesses; claims experience; receipt of <span class="dictionary">health care services</span>; medical history; <span class="dictionary">genetic information</span>; <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of insurability, including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence; disability; or any other <span class="dictionary">health status-related factor</span> as determined by federal regulation.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Individual health insurance coverage</span>&#x201D; means health insurance coverage offered to individuals in the <span class="dictionary">individual market</span>, which includes a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span> provided to individuals through a trust arrangement, association, or other discretionary group that is not an employer plan, but does not include coverage defined as &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">excepted benefits</span>&#x201D; in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Application of article; definitions" href="/38.2-3431/">38.2-3431</a> or short-term limited duration insurance. <span class="dictionary">Student health insurance coverage</span> shall be considered a type of <span class="dictionary">individual health insurance coverage</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Individual market</span>&#x201D; means the market for health insurance coverage offered to individuals other than in connection with a <span class="dictionary">group health plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">In-<span class="dictionary">network</span></span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;participating&#x201D; means a provider that has contracted with a carrier or a carrier&#x2019;s contractor or subcontractor to provide <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> to enrollees and be reimbursed by the carrier at a contracted <span class="dictionary">rate</span> as payment in full for the <span class="dictionary">health care services</span>, including applicable <span class="dictionary">cost-sharing requirements</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Managed care plan</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span> that either requires a <span class="dictionary">covered person</span> to use, or creates incentives, including financial incentives, for a <span class="dictionary">covered person</span> to use <span class="dictionary">health care providers</span> managed, owned, under <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with, or employed by the <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Network</span>&#x201D; means the group of participating providers providing services to a <span class="dictionary">managed care plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Nonprofit data services organization</span>&#x201D; means the nonprofit organization with which the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Health negotiates and enters into <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> or agreements for the compilation, storage, analysis, and evaluation of data submitted by data suppliers pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Agreements for certain data services" href="/32.1-276.4/">32.1-276.4</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Offer to pay</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">payment notification</span>&#x201D; means a claim that has been adjudicated and paid by a carrier or determined by a carrier to be payable by an enrollee to an <span class="dictionary">out-of-<span class="dictionary">network</span></span> provider for services described in subsection A of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Balance billing for certain services; prohibited" href="/38.2-3445.01/">38.2-3445.01</a>.
		&#x201C;Open enrollment&#x201D; means, with respect to <span class="dictionary">individual health insurance coverage</span>, the period of time during which any individual has the opportunity to apply for coverage under a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span> offered by a <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> and must be accepted for coverage under the plan without regard to a <span class="dictionary">preexisting condition exclusion</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Out-of-<span class="dictionary">network</span></span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">nonparticipating</span>&#x201D; means a provider that has not contracted with a carrier or a carrier&#x2019;s contractor or subcontractor to provide <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> to enrollees.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Out-of-pocket maximum</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">maximum out-of-pocket</span>&#x201D; means the maximum amount an enrollee is required to pay in the form of <span class="dictionary">cost-sharing requirements</span> for <span class="dictionary">covered benefits</span> in a plan year, after which the carrier covers the entirety of the <span class="dictionary">allowed amount</span> of <span class="dictionary">covered benefits</span> under the <span class="dictionary">contract</span> of coverage.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Participating <span class="dictionary">health care professional</span></span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">health care professional</span> who, under <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> or with its contractor or subcontractor, has agreed to provide <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> to <span class="dictionary">covered persons</span> with an expectation of receiving payments, other than coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles, directly or indirectly from the <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">PPACA</span>&#x201D; means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), and as it may be further amended.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Preexisting condition exclusion</span>&#x201D; means a limitation or exclusion of benefits, including a denial of coverage, based on the <span class="dictionary">fact</span> that the condition was present before the effective date of coverage, or if the coverage is denied, the date of denial, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before the effective date of coverage. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Preexisting condition exclusion</span>&#x201D; also includes a condition identified as a result of a pre-enrollment questionnaire or physical examination given to an individual, or review of medical records relating to the pre-enrollment period.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Premium</span>&#x201D; means all moneys paid by an employer, eligible employee, or <span class="dictionary">covered person</span> as a condition of coverage from a <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span>, including fees and other contributions associated with the <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Preventive services</span>&#x201D; means (i) <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>-based items or services for which a rating of A or B is in effect in the recommendations of the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Preventive Services</span> Task Force with respect to the individual involved; (ii) immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents, and adults for which a recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is in effect with respect to the individual involved; (iii) <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration with respect to infants, children, and adolescents; and (iv) <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>-informed preventive care and screenings recommended in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration with respect to women. For purposes of this definition, a recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considered in effect after it has been adopted by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a recommendation is considered to be for routine use if it is listed on the Immunization <span class="dictionary">Schedules</span> of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Primary care <span class="dictionary">health care professional</span></span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">health care professional</span> designated by a <span class="dictionary">covered person</span> to supervise, coordinate, or provide initial care or continuing care to the <span class="dictionary">covered person</span> and who may be required by the <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> to initiate a referral for specialty care and maintain supervision of <span class="dictionary">health care services</span> rendered to the <span class="dictionary">covered person</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Rescission</span>&#x201D; means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage under a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span> that has a retroactive effect. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Rescission</span>&#x201D; does not include:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A cancellation or discontinuance of coverage under a <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span> if the cancellation or discontinuance of coverage has only a prospective effect, or the cancellation or discontinuance of coverage is effective retroactively to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required <span class="dictionary">premiums</span> or contributions towards the cost of coverage; or <a id="paragraph-209574" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3438/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A cancellation or discontinuance of coverage when the <span class="dictionary">health benefit plan</span> covers active employees and, if applicable, <span class="dictionary">dependents</span> and those covered under continuation coverage provisions, if the employee pays no <span class="dictionary">premiums</span> for coverage after termination of employment and the cancellation or discontinuance of coverage is effective retroactively back to the date of termination of employment due to a delay in administrative recordkeeping.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Stabilize</span>&#x201D; means with respect to an emergency medical condition, to provide such medical treatment as may be necessary to assure, within reasonable medical probability, that no <span class="dictionary">material</span> deterioration of the condition is likely to result from or occur during the transfer of the individual from a <span class="dictionary">facility</span>, or, with respect to a pregnant woman, that the woman has delivered, including the placenta.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Student health insurance coverage</span>&#x201D; means a type of <span class="dictionary">individual health insurance coverage</span> that is provided pursuant to a written agreement between an institution of higher education, as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, and a <span class="dictionary">health carrier</span> and provided to students enrolled in that institution of higher education and their <span class="dictionary">dependents</span>, and that does not make health insurance coverage available other than in connection with enrollment as a student, or as a <span class="dictionary">dependent</span> of a student, in the institution of higher education, and does not condition eligibility for health insurance coverage on any <span class="dictionary">health status-related factor</span> related to a student or a <span class="dictionary">dependent</span> of the student.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Surgical or ancillary services</span>&#x201D; means professional services, including surgery, anesthesiology, pathology, radiology, or hospitalist services and laboratory services.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Wellness program</span>&#x201D; means a program offered by an employer that is designed to promote health or prevent disease. <a id="paragraph-209575" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3438/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2011, c. 882; 2013, c. 751; 2014, c. 814; 2020, cc. 1080, 1081, 1160; 2024, cc. 199, 360.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
