Nevada Insurance Licensing InsNV_Health02 Exam Questions

The Change of Occupation provision allows an insurer to adjust benefits when the insured changes to a more hazardous occupation after policy issue. Choice A is correct. If the same premium would have purchased a lower benefit amount for the new, more hazardous occupation, the insurer may reduce the benefit to the amount that premium would have bought under the new occupational classification. The purpose is to preserve fairness between the risk assumed and the premium paid without automatically cancelling the policy. The insurer does not simply increase the waiting period or deductible, because those are not the contractual adjustment method addressed by the provision. It also does not deny every claim for misrepresentation, because a later change in occupation is not necessarily a misrepresentation in the original application. If the insured changes to a less hazardous occupation, the provision may allow the insured to apply for an adjusted premium rate or greater benefit as appropriate under policy terms. The key examination rule is that occupational changes affect the amount of benefits or premium classification, not the basic validity of coverage. Study Guide Reference/Topics: Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders; Change of Occupation Provision; Individual Accident and Health Policies.

If reconstructive surgery is begun within three years after a mastectomy, the amount of benefits for that surgery must equal the amount provided by the policy at the time of the mastectomy. Therefore, the tested maximum period is three years.

Nevada requires a policy that covers mastectomy to provide commensurate coverage for reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to create symmetry, prostheses, and treatment of physical complications of all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedema. The attending physician and patient determine the appropriate care.

The three-year rule protects an insured from losing the original level of reconstruction benefits merely because reconstruction is delayed. If surgery begins more than three years after the mastectomy, benefits are governed by the policy terms, conditions, and exclusions in effect at the time reconstructive surgery begins.

This question does not ask how long all reconstruction coverage disappears. It tests the period during which the policy must preserve the benefit amount available at the time of mastectomy.

Study Guide references/topics: mastectomy coverage; reconstructive surgery; breast reconstruction; mandated health benefits; NRS 689B.0375.

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The application is generally part of the entire contract only when a copy is attached to or endorsed on the policy. The entire-contract provision identifies the documents that form the binding agreement between the insurer and the insured. In an individual health policy, the policy itself and the attached application are the principal contract documents. Material statements made in the application are treated according to the policy and governing law, but outside papers, advertisements, and verbal discussions ordinarily do not become policy terms merely because they were used in the sales process.

This rule protects both parties. The insured can review the documents that govern coverage, while the insurer can rely on the written application it used for underwriting. A producer's notes, informal assurances, or advertising language cannot expand benefits, remove exclusions, or alter policy conditions unless formally incorporated into the contract. Producers must avoid statements that conflict with the issued policy and should deliver the policy promptly so the applicant can examine it during any applicable free-look period.

Nevada's individual health-insurance law requires specified policy provisions and permits approved substitutions only when they are not less favorable to the insured or beneficiary. The exact wording and placement of the application therefore matter.

Reference/topics from the Study Guide: Entire Contract; Application; Policy Delivery; Individual Health Policy Provisions; NRS 689A.040.

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A consumer's pre-existing condition does not prevent enrollment in a Qualified Health Plan offered through the Exchange. Marketplace plans must cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions and cannot reject an applicant, charge a higher premium, or refuse to pay Essential Health Benefits solely because of the applicant's health history.

The producer should accurately explain that coverage is subject to the plan's normal terms, provider network, formulary, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. The prohibition against pre-existing-condition discrimination does not mean the consumer has no out-of-pocket costs. The insured may still have ordinary cost sharing for covered medical services, just as other enrollees do.

Option A is incorrect because Qualified Health Plans do cover pre-existing conditions. Option B is incorrect because a QHP may not impose a surcharge based on health status or medical history. Option C is incorrect because the Affordable Care Act's protection against discrimination does not eliminate all deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other permitted cost sharing.

For exam purposes, remember the core rule: health status cannot be used to deny enrollment in a QHP or set a higher premium based solely on a pre-existing condition.

Study Guide references/topics: Affordable Care Act; Qualified Health Plans; guaranteed issue; pre-existing conditions; HealthCare.gov pre-existing-condition coverage.

Nevada requires an individual long-term care insurer to obtain a written designation of at least one additional person who will receive notice if coverage is about to lapse or terminate for nonpayment of premium. This protection is intended to reduce unintended lapses, particularly when an insured experiences cognitive decline, illness, disability, or another circumstance that interferes with managing premiums.

The applicant may instead submit a written waiver, dated and signed, stating that the applicant chooses not to designate another person. The waiver is not required to be notarized. Because option B incorrectly adds a notarization requirement, option A is the best answer as written.

The designated person does not become responsible for paying premiums and does not assume liability for the applicant's care. The person's role is simply to receive notice, allowing the person an opportunity to alert the insured or help address an overlooked payment. Payroll or pension deduction is not a required payment method.

Before an individual long-term care policy can lapse for nonpayment, notice requirements apply to both the policyholder and the designated person. This is a key long-term-care consumer-protection provision.

Study Guide references/topics: long-term care insurance; lapse protection; nonpayment of premium; designation of another person; NAC 687B.0681.

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