2023 Delaware Code › Title 18 - Insurance Code › Chapter 33. HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACTS › Subchapter I. General Provisions › § 3313. Payment of claims.

§ 3313. Payment of claims.
(a) There shall be a provision as follows:
“Payment of Claims:
Indemnity for loss of life will be payable in accordance with the beneficiary designation and the provisions respecting such payment which may be prescribed herein and effective at the time of payment. If no such designation or provision is then effective, such indemnity shall be payable to the estate of the insured. Any other accrued indemnities unpaid at the insured's death may, at the option of the company, be paid either to such beneficiary or to such estate. All other indemnities will be payable to the insured.”
(b) The following provisions, or either of them, may be included with the foregoing provision at the option of the insurer:
(1) “If any indemnity of this policy shall be payable to the estate of the insured, or to an insured or beneficiary who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, the company may pay such indemnity, up to an amount not exceeding $. . . . . . . . . . . . (insert an amount which shall not exceed $1,000), to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the insured or beneficiary who is deemed by the company to be equitably entitled thereto. Any payment made by the company in good faith pursuant to this provision shall fully discharge the company to the extent of such payment.”
(2) “Subject to any written direction of the insured in the application or otherwise all or a portion of any indemnities provided by this policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical or surgical services may, at the company's option and unless the insured requests otherwise in writing not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services, but it is not required that the service be rendered by a particular hospital or person.”
(c) There shall be a provision as follows in contracts issued by an insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization:
“Payment of claims when coverage terminated during a period of hospitalization:
If you are in the hospital when this policy nonrenews or terminates for any reason except nonpayment of premium, this policy shall continue coverage for that hospitalization at the same benefit level for a 10-day period from the date of termination.”
(d) There shall be a provision as follows in contracts issued by an insurer, health service corporation or health maintenance organization:
“If this policy immediately succeeds prior coverage, and if you are in the hospital when this coverage becomes effective, benefits for that hospitalization will start at the end of 10 consecutive days of hospitalization under this policy at the level provided by this policy notwithstanding any preexisting conditions or other similar exclusions for the duration of the single continuing period of hospitalization.”
The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to specified accident, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, long-term care or other limited benefit health insurance policies.
18 Del. C. 1953, §  3313;  56 Del. Laws, c. 380, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 323, §  1;  80 Del. Laws, c. 310, § 1;