A review of the language of the Act should be helpful as insurers encounter specific issues and questions. Section 17 of the Act requires that insurance contracts and policies offered to married couples, spouses and families also be made available to civil union couples, parties to the civil union and their families. Section 18 of the Act requires that health insurers offer dependent coverage to parties to a civil union and their families.
Dependent coverage is defined as family coverage or two-person coverage.
Act 91 requires that the Commissioner adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of the law. This new law authorizes the Commissioner to adopt, by Order, standards and a process to bring currently approved forms into compliance with Vermont law. Insurers are responsible for ensuring that the endorsement attached to policies and contracts has been approved by the Department and is compatible with those forms. If insurers choose to make specific form changes, these must be filed for approval. An approved endorsement must be attached to all policies, contracts, certificates, riders and endorsements offered, issued, renewed or delivered in the state of Vermont.