A.B. 448 - *AB448* ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 448–ASSEMBLYMEMBER KOENIG MARCH 17, 2025 ____________ Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to insurance for vision care. (BDR 57-983) FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: May have Fiscal Impact. Effect on the State: Yes. CONTAINS UNFUNDED MANDATE (§ 46) (NOT REQUESTED BY AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT) ~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. AN ACT relating to health care; establishing various requirements relating to vision benefit managers and providers of vision care; revising provisions relating to certain contracts between an insurer and a provider of vision care; prohibiting certain conduct of a vision benefit manager or provider of vision care which would constitute an unfair or deceptive trade practice in the business of insurance; authorizing a provider of vision care to bring a civil action against a vision benefit manager under certain circumstances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Legislative Counsel’s Digest: Existing law prohibits certain unfair trade practices in the business of 1 insurance. (NRS 686A.010-686A.310) Existing law prohibits an insurer from 2 entering into a contract with a provider of vision care that conditions any rate of 3 reimbursement for vision care on the provider of vision care prescribing certain 4 ophthalmic devices or materials or increases the rate of reimbursement if the 5 provider of vision care prescribes such ophthalmic devices or materials. Existing 6 law also prohibits an insurer from entering into a contract with a provider of vision 7 care that: (1) authorizes the insurer to set or limit the amount that the provider of 8 vision care may charge for vision care that is not reimbursed under the contract; or 9 (2) requires the provider of vision care to use a specific laboratory as the 10 manufacturer of ophthalmic devices or materials provided to a covered person. 11 Finally, existing law requires a provider of vision care to disclose to any covered 12 person an ownership or pecuniary interest of the provider in a supplier of 13 ophthalmic devices or materials before the covered person authorizes the provider 14 – 2 – - *AB448* to obtain covered eyewear materials from such a supplier. (NRS 686A.135) 15 Existing law authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to investigate a violation of 16 and enforce those provisions as an unfair or deceptive trade practice. (NRS 17 686A.020, 686A.160, 686A.170, 686A.183) 18 Sections 2-34 and 37 of this bill revise provisions of existing law governing 19 vision care and set forth various additional requirements and restrictions governing 20 vision benefit managers. Section 15 defines “vision benefit manager” to mean a 21 person, including, without limitation, an insurer, third-party administrator or 22 subcontractor, that creates, promotes, sells, provides, operates, advertises or 23 administers a vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan. Section 16 defines 24 “vision benefit plan” to mean a policy, contract, certificate or agreement offered by 25 a vision benefit manager to provide for, deliver payment for, arrange for the 26 payment of, pay for or reimburse any of the costs of vision care. Section 16 27 specifies that the term includes a standalone vision benefit plan or a health benefit 28 plan that provides coverage for vision care. Section 14 defines “vision benefit 29 discount plan” to mean a policy, contract, certificate or agreement offered by a 30 vision benefit manager to an enrollee that solely provides for a discount for covered 31 services or covered materials. 32 Because an insurer that provides a vision benefit plan constitutes a vision 33 benefit manager, section 37 revises the provisions of existing law setting forth 34 certain prohibitions on insurers with respect to vision care to replace references to 35 an insurer with references to a vision benefit manager. Section 37 additionally 36 prohibits a vision benefit manager from: (1) requiring a provider of vision care to 37 use a specific source or supplier for certain materials, including ophthalmic 38 devices; and (2) paying reimbursement to a provider of vision care which is not 39 reasonable and not substantially similar to rates for reimbursement under Medicare. 40 Section 18 prohibits a vision benefit manager from limiting the reimbursement 41 or choice of a provider of vision care for services or materials which are not 42 covered by a plan. Sections 19, 20, 25 and 30-32 prohibit certain provisions in a 43 contract or agreement between a vision benefit manager and a provider of vision 44 care. 45 Section 21 prohibits a vision benefit manager from falsely representing the 46 number of participating providers of vision care or the benefits that compose a plan. 47 Section 22 prohibits a vision benefit manager from engaging in certain marketing 48 or advertising activities. Section 23 prohibits a vision benefit manager from 49 retroactively reversing a reimbursement to a provider of vision care if the provider 50 relied in good faith on certain information at the time of service. Section 24 51 authorizes a provider of vision care to offer a cash price option for certain services 52 and materials under certain circumstances. Section 26 requires a vision benefit 53 manager, under certain circumstances, to provide the same reimbursement to an 54 optometrist for certain services or materials as if the services or materials were 55 provided by a physician. Section 27 establishes procedures for amending or 56 terminating a contract between a vision benefit manager and a provider of vision 57 care. 58 Sections 28 and 29 prohibit certain actions of a vision benefit manager relating 59 to certain business practices, billing practices, audit practices and receiving 60 personal or confidential information of an enrollee. Section 34 authorizes a 61 provider of vision care who is adversely affected by certain violations by a vision 62 benefit manager to bring a civil action to recover his or her actual damages, 63 punitive damages and other equitable relief. Section 33 makes the provisions of this 64 bill which are applicable to a vision benefit manager equally applicable to any 65 affiliate or subcontractor that a vision benefit manager uses or enters into a contract 66 with for certain activities. Section 33 additionally makes the provisions of this bill 67 which are applicable to contracts between a provider of vision care and a vision 68 benefit manager equally applicable to certain other agreements. 69 – 3 – - *AB448* Sections 35, 36 and 38-43 of this bill make provisions of existing law which 70 are generally applicable to certain unfair or deceptive trade practices in the business 71 of insurance specifically applicable to the provisions of sections 2-34. Sections 44-72 47 of this bill provide that certain entities that provide coverage for vision care, 73 including local governments and the Public Employees’ Benefits Program, are 74 subject to the provisions of sections 2-34. 75 Sections 3-17 define certain words and terms for the purposes of this bill. 76 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 686A of NRS is hereby amended by 1 adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 34, inclusive, 2 of this act. 3 Sec. 2. As used in NRS 686A.135 and sections 2 to 34, 4 inclusive, of this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the 5 words and terms defined in sections 3 to 17, inclusive, of this act 6 have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections. 7 Sec. 3. “Chargeback” means a dollar amount, fee, 8 surcharge, rebate or item of value that reduces, modifies or offsets 9 all or part of the: 10 1. Amount that an enrollee is required to pay for a covered 11 service or covered material; 12 2. Amount for which a provider of vision care will be 13 reimbursed for a covered service or covered material; 14 3. Maximum amount a vision benefit manager will pay for a 15 covered service or covered material; or 16 4. The fee for a covered service or covered material, as set 17 forth on a schedule of fees established by a vision benefit 18 manager. 19 Sec. 4. “Contractual discount” means a percentage 20 reduction from the usual and customary rate of a provider of 21 vision care for covered services and covered materials required 22 under an agreement between a provider of vision care and a vision 23 benefit manager. 24 Sec. 5. “Covered material” means any material for which: 25 1. Reimbursement from a vision benefit manager is provided 26 to a provider of vision care by a vision benefit plan of an enrollee, 27 or for which a reimbursement would be available but for the 28 application of the contractual limitations on deductibles, 29 copayments or coinsurance applicable for the enrollee, regardless 30 of how the materials are listed or described in the definition of 31 benefits in a vision benefit plan of an enrollee; or 32 2. A discount is provided by a vision benefit discount plan of 33 an enrollee. 34 – 4 – - *AB448* Sec. 6. “Covered services” means the professional work 1 performed by a provider of vision care for which: 2 1. Reimbursement from a vision benefit manager is provided 3 to a provider of vision care by a vision benefit plan of an enrollee, 4 or for which a reimbursement would be available but for the 5 application of the contractual plan limitations of deductibles, 6 copayments or coinsurance, regardless of how the services are 7 listed or described in the definition of benefits in a vision benefit 8 plan of an enrollee; or 9 2. A discount is provided by a vision benefit discount plan of 10 an enrollee. 11 Sec. 7. “Enrollee” means any person participating in or 12 entitled to receive covered services or covered materials through a 13 vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan that is 14 purchased by the person or provided to the person by another 15 person or a governmental entity. 16 Sec. 8. “Extrapolation” means a mathematical formula, 17 process or technique used by a vision benefit manager or the agent 18 of a vision benefit manager in the audit of a provider of vision 19 care to estimate the audit results or findings for a larger batch or 20 group of claims not reviewed by the vision benefit manager. 21 Sec. 9. “Materials” means ophthalmic devices, including, 22 without limitation, lenses, devices containing lenses, artificial 23 intraocular lenses, ophthalmic frames and other lens mounting 24 apparatuses, prisms, lens treatments and coatings, contact lenses, 25 low vision devices, vision therapy devices and prosthetic devices, 26 used to correct, relieve or treat defects or abnormal conditions of 27 the human eye or its adnexa, or any other material authorized for 28 use in chapter 636 of NRS and any regulations adopted pursuant 29 thereto. 30 Sec. 10. “Participating provider of vision care” means a 31 provider of vision care that has entered into a contractual 32 agreement or other business relationship with a vision benefit 33 manager to provide covered services or covered materials. 34 Sec. 11. “Provider of vision care” means a physician who 35 provides vision care or an optometrist. 36 Sec. 12. “Subcontractor” means a person, including, without 37 limitation, an agent, servant, broker, wholesaler, distributor, 38 partially or wholly owned subsidiary or controlled organization of 39 a vision benefit manager, that is contracted by a vision benefit 40 manager to supply covered services or covered materials to 41 another vision benefit manager, provider of vision care or enrollee 42 to execute or fulfill the vision benefit plan or vision benefit 43 discount plan of the vision benefit manager. 44 – 5 – - *AB448* Sec. 13. “Third-party administrator” means a person that 1 provides services, including, without limitation, administrative, 2 operational, regulatory, human resource, compliance and claim 3 adjudication services, for a vision benefit manager under a 4 contract or agreement with the vision benefit manager. 5 Sec. 14. “Vision benefit discount plan” means a policy, 6 contract, certificate or agreement offered by a vision benefit 7 manager to an enrollee that solely provides for a discount for 8 covered services or covered materials. 9 Sec. 15. “Vision benefit manager” means a person, 10 including, without limitation, an insurer, third-party administrator 11 or subcontractor, that creates, promotes, sells, provides, operates, 12 advertises or administers a vision benefit plan or vision benefit 13 discount plan. 14 Sec. 16. 1. “Vision benefit plan” means a policy, contract, 15 certificate or agreement offered by a vision benefit manager to 16 provide for, deliver payment for, arrange for the payment of, pay 17 for or reimburse any of the costs of vision care. 18 2. The term includes, without limitation: 19 (a) A policy, contract, certificate or agreement which only pays 20 for or reimburses any of the costs of vision care and is offered or 21 issued separately from any health benefit plan, as defined in 22 NRS 695G.019. 23 (b) A health benefit plan, as defined in NRS 695G.019, that 24 provides coverage for vision care. 25 Sec. 17. “Vision care” means routine ophthalmological 26 evaluation of the eye, including refraction. 27 Sec. 18. A vision benefit manager shall not: 28 1. Mandate or otherwise condition reimbursement or 29 participation in a vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount 30 plan on terms relating to the pricing for services or materials that 31 are not covered services or covered materials; or 32 2. Influence or limit the choice of an enrollee as to a provider 33 of vision care for services or materials that are not covered 34 services or covered materials. 35 Sec. 19. A contract between a vision benefit manager and a 36 provider of vision care must not contain any provision which 37 requires the provider of vision care to: 38 1. Provide covered services or covered materials to an 39 enrollee at a financial loss, taking into account any applicable 40 discounts and chargebacks. 41 2. Accept a reimbursement payment in the form of a credit 42 card or any other payment method which requires a fee for 43 processing or administration or a percentage or dollar amount 44 – 6 – - *AB448* which is assessed against the provider of vision care in order to 1 receive the payment. 2 3. Share equally the expenses of any arbitration, except that 3 each party to an arbitration may bear its own costs subject to a 4 fee-shifting provision for a prevailing party. 5 4. Establish a security interest in all or part of the assets of 6 the provider of vision care in the event of a termination described 7 in subsection 6 of section 27 of this act. 8 Sec. 20. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, 9 the period prescribed by a contract between any vision benefit 10 manager and a provider of vision care for the vision benefit 11 manager to recover any reimbursement amount from the provider 12 of vision care must be the same period allowed or required for the 13 vision benefit manager to remit the applicable reimbursement 14 after the submission by a provider of vision care of a claim for 15 covered services rendered or covered materials furnished that does 16 not contain any defects or other issues that would delay the 17 remittance. 18 2. The provisions of subsection 1 must not be construed to 19 limit the ability of a vision benefit manager to conduct an audit of 20 claims, in accordance with the written policies of the vision benefit 21 manager and applicable law, in the event that the vision benefit 22 manager has a reasonable belief that the provider of vision care 23 has engaged in fraud, waste or abuse. 24 Sec. 21. A vision benefit manager shall not falsely represent 25 the number of participating providers of vision care within a 26 particular region or the benefits that compose a vision benefit plan 27 or vision benefit discount plan. 28 Sec. 22. A vision benefit manager shall not: 29 1. Promote or use in any marketing or advertising to a client, 30 purchaser, company, enrollee or prospective enrollee any 31 statement that a covered service or covered material is free, no 32 charge or complimentary or that uses any other materially similar 33 language. 34 2. Offer an enrollee a varying deductible, copay, coinsurance, 35 coverage amount, rebate, gift card or other incentive to obtain 36 covered services, covered materials or other services or materials 37 at: 38 (a) Any particular participating provider of vision care; 39 (b) A retail establishment owned by, partially owned by, 40 contracted with or otherwise affiliated with the vision benefit 41 manager; or 42 (c) Any provider of vision care accessed primarily through an 43 Internet website or other virtual means that is owned by, partially 44 – 7 – - *AB448* owned by, contracted with or otherwise affiliated with the vision 1 benefit manager. 2 3. Engage in marketing or advertising activities that may be 3 misleading or deceptive to the public. Upon request by an 4 applicable enforcement agency, a vision benefit manager shall 5 submit all information regarding alleged savings and discounts 6 offered by any affiliate of the vision benefit manager. 7 Sec. 23. A vision benefit manager: 8 1. Shall reimburse a provider of vision care the contracted 9 amount for a covered service or covered material provided to an 10 enrollee if the provider of vision care verifies the enrollee as 11 eligible to receive the covered service or covered material on the 12 date of service through the customary methods of verification of 13 the vision benefit manager. 14 2. Shall not retroactively reverse reimbursement to a provider 15 of vision care who relied in good faith on the presented coverage 16 credentials of a person and the customary methods of verification 17 of the vision benefit manager at the time of service, even if the 18 vision benefit manager determines at a later date that the enrollee 19 was ineligible to receive covered services or covered materials on 20 the date of service. 21 Sec. 24. 1. A provider of vision care may offer an enrollee 22 a cash price option for covered services and covered materials 23 instead of using the benefit of the enrollee if the cash price option 24 is an amount which is less than the total out-of-pocket cost for the 25 service or material. 26 2. A provider of vision care must not be subject to an audit 27 solely for offering a cash price option for covered services and 28 covered materials pursuant to subsection 1. 29 Sec. 25. 1. An agreement between a vision benefit manager 30 and a provider of vision care must not require that a provider of 31 vision care participate in or be credentialed by any specific vision 32 benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan as a condition for 33 participation in the provider network of the vision benefit manager 34 to provide covered services or covered materials to enrollees. 35 2. A vision benefit manager shall not require a provider of 36 vision care to possess, offer for sale or sell materials in the office 37 of the provider of vision care as a condition of participation in a 38 provider network. 39 3. A vision benefit manager shall: 40 (a) Apply the same terms and conditions of participation to all 41 the participating providers of vision care regardless of the 42 educational credentials of the provider of vision care, subject to 43 the permitted scope of practice for any licensee under applicable 44 state law; and 45 – 8 – - *AB448* (b) Identify participating providers of vision care in a neutral 1 manner, which does not distinguish between participating 2 providers of vision care based on any of the following 3 characteristics: 4 (1) A discount or incentive offered by the provider of vision 5 care for services and materials which are not covered by the vision 6 benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan of the vision benefit 7 manager. 8 (2) The dollar amount, volume amount or percent usage 9 amount of any material or good which is purchased by the 10 provider of vision care. 11 (3) The brand, source, manufacturer or supplier of a 12 covered service or covered material used or provided by the 13 provider of vision care. 14 Sec. 26. A vision benefit manager shall, if issuing or 15 renewing a vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan 16 which provides benefits for covered services or covered materials 17 rendered by a physician licensed under chapter 630 or 633 of NRS 18 which are within the scope of practice of an optometrist licensed 19 under chapter 636 of NRS, provide the same reimbursement to an 20 optometrist for covered services or covered materials rendered by 21 an optometrist as allowed for the same covered services or covered 22 materials if rendered by a physician. 23 Sec. 27. 1. A vision benefit manager shall not change or 24 alter a contract, including, without limitation, a term, 25 reimbursement rate or fee schedule contained in a contract, that 26 the vision benefit manager enters into with a participating 27 provider of vision care unless, at least 90 days before the date on 28 which the proposed change would become effective: 29 (a) The vision benefit manager: 30 (1) Sends to the provider of vision care by certified mail, 31 return receipt requested, or any other mailing process that 32 requires a signature on delivery, or a method of electronic 33 communication which requires an electronic signature: 34 (I) A detailed written description of the proposed 35 change; and 36 (II) A copy of the contract with the proposed change 37 clearly marked in the body of the contract, in a form that is easily 38 understood and conducive to review by the provider of vision care; 39 and 40 (2) Upon request of the provider of vision care, meets with 41 the provider of vision care to discuss the proposed change in 42 person, by telephone or by other audiovisual or electronic means; 43 and 44 – 9 – - *AB448* (b) The provider of vision care agrees, in writing, to the 1 proposed change. 2 2. If a provider of vision care does not agree to the change or 3 alteration to a contract which is proposed pursuant to subsection 4 1, the provider of vision care shall provide notice of that fact to the 5 vision benefit manager in writing. 6 3. A vision benefit manager shall not remove a provider of 7 vision care from the network of participating providers of vision 8 care included under a vision benefit plan or vision benefit 9 discount plan solely because the provider of vision care does not 10 agree to any change or alteration to a contract which is proposed 11 pursuant to subsection 1. 12 4. A vision benefit manager and a provider of vision care 13 must execute a new contract if the parties to the contract make 14 three or more material changes or alterations pursuant to 15 subsection 1. 16 5. A vision benefit manager shall not terminate a contract 17 described in this section except in the event of a material breach 18 by the provider of vision care. In the event of an alleged material 19 breach: 20 (a) The vision benefit manager shall provide written notice to 21 the provider of vision care which describes the alleged breach; and 22 (b) The provider has 30 days after the date on which the 23 provider receives the written notice to remedy the alleged breach to 24 the reasonable satisfaction of the insurer or vision benefit 25 manager. 26 6. If a vision benefit manager terminates a contract pursuant 27 to subsection 5, the vision benefit manager shall not require the 28 provider of vision care to establish a security interest in all or part 29 of the property and assets of the provider, including assets 30 pertaining to the practice of the provider, in an amount equal to 31 any money which is owed to the vision benefit manager at the time 32 of termination. 33 Sec. 28. A vision benefit manager shall not directly or 34 indirectly: 35 1. Control or attempt to control the professional judgment, 36 manner of practice or practice of a provider of vision care. 37 2. Employ a provider of vision care to provide a covered 38 service or covered material. 39 3. Withhold or recoup payment to a provider of vision care 40 for covered services or covered materials which are provided to an 41 enrollee if the enrollee was shown to be eligible on the date that 42 the covered services or covered materials were provided. 43 – 10 – - *AB448* 4. Reimburse a provider of vision care a different amount for 1 covered services or covered materials because of the choice of the 2 provider of vision care of the: 3 (a) Optical laboratory. 4 (b) Source of supplier of: 5 (1) Contact lenses; 6 (2) Ophthalmic lenses; 7 (3) Ophthalmic glasses frames; or 8 (4) Covered or non-covered services or materials. 9 (c) Equipment used for patient care. 10 (d) Retail optical affiliation. 11 (e) Vision support organization. 12 (f) Organization for group purchasing. 13 (g) Doctor alliance. 14 (h) Membership in a professional trade association. 15 (i) Software for management of the practice of the provider of 16 vision care, including, without limitation, for maintenance of 17 electronic health or medical records. 18 (j) Services for billing, filing third-party claims or securely 19 exchanging electronic business documents. 20 5. Restrict, limit or influence the choice of a provider of 21 vision care of the software or services described in paragraph (i) 22 or (j) of subsection 4. 23 6. Restrict or limit the access of a provider of vision care to 24 complete information concerning the coverage provided by the 25 vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan of an enrollee, 26 including, without limitation, details for coverage which is in-27 network and out-of-network. 28 7. Apply a chargeback to an enrollee or provider of vision 29 care if the chargeback is for a covered material or covered service 30 for which the vision benefit manager does not incur the cost to 31 produce, deliver or provide to the enrollee or provider of vision 32 care. 33 8. Require a provider of vision care to: 34 (a) Disclose any confidential or protected health information 35 of an enrollee, unless expressly authorized by the enrollee or 36 permitted under the Health Insurance Portability and 37 Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191, as amended. 38 (b) Disclose or report a medical history or diagnosis as a 39 condition to file a claim, adjudicate a claim or receive 40 reimbursement for a routine or wellness eye examination. 41 (c) Disclose or report the glasses prescription, contact lens 42 prescription, ophthalmic device measurements, facial photograph 43 or unique anatomical measurements of an enrollee as a condition 44 to file a claim, adjudicate a claim or receive reimbursement for a 45 – 11 – - *AB448* claim, unless the information is needed for the vision benefit 1 manager to manufacture or cause to be manufactured a covered 2 material that is submitted on the applicable claim. 3 (d) Disclose any information relating to an enrollee, other 4 than information identified on the most recent version of Form 5 CMS-1500, or its successor form, published by the National 6 Uniform Claim Committee, or its successor organization, and 7 approved by the Commissioner, as a condition to file a claim, 8 adjudicate a claim or receive reimbursement for a claim unless the 9 information is needed for the vision benefit manager to 10 manufacture or cause to be manufactured a covered material that 11 is submitted on the applicable claim. 12 Sec. 29. 1. A vision benefit manager shall not use 13 extrapolation to complete an audit of a participating provider of 14 vision care. 15 2. Any additional payment due to a participating provider of 16 vision care or any refund due to the vision benefit manager must 17 be based on the actual overpayment or underpayment and not an 18 extrapolation. 19 3. For the purpose of subsection 2, actual overpayment or 20 underpayment must be determined after: 21 (a) An investigation conducted and findings made by the 22 vision benefit manager; and 23 (b) The participating provider of vision care has been afforded 24 and has exhausted all opportunities to appeal the findings of the 25 vision benefit manager in accordance with any manual provided 26 by the vision benefit manager to the provider of vision care, any 27 policies of the vision benefit manager and applicable law. 28 Sec. 30. 1. A vision benefit manager that offers more than 29 one vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan shall not 30 require a provider of vision care, as a condition of participation in 31 a vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan, to participate 32 in any of the other vision benefit plans or vision benefit discount 33 plans of the vision benefit manager. 34 2. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, any 35 provision in a contract which violates subsection 1 is void and 36 unenforceable. 37 Sec. 31. 1. A contract between a vision benefit manager 38 and a provider of vision care must not have a duration longer than 39 2 years from the date the contract was signed by all parties. 40 2. A vision benefit manager shall not construe 41 recredentialing as recontracting with a participating provider of 42 vision care. A contract between a vision benefit manager and a 43 provider of vision care must be a distinctly separate document 44 – 12 – - *AB448* from any credentialing materials and must be signed by the 1 provider of vision care and the vision benefit manager. 2 3. A vision benefit manager shall include a copy of any 3 manual and any policies referred to in a contract between a vision 4 benefit manager and a provider of vision care at the time the 5 contract is sent to any participating provider of vision care and 6 prospective participating provider of vision care. 7 Sec. 32. A vision benefit manager shall not engage in 8 negotiations or enter into an agreement with any person on behalf 9 of any independent affiliated provider of vision care regarding 10 reimbursement, copayments, coinsurance or materials supply 11 chain. Any agreement between a provider of vision care and a 12 vision benefit manager must be negotiated directly between the 13 provider of vision care and the vision benefit manager. 14 Sec. 33. 1. Any affiliate or subcontractor who is used by a 15 vision benefit manager to supply covered services or covered 16 materials to a provider of vision care or enrollee is subject to the 17 provisions of NRS 686A.135 and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this 18 act to the same extent as a vision benefit manager. 19 2. The following agreements are subject to the provisions of 20 NRS 686A.135 and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act to the 21 same extent as a contract between a provider of vision care and a 22 vision benefit manager: 23 (a) Any subcontract or agreement that a provider of vision 24 care enters into with another provider of vision care to provide 25 vision care to an enrollee or a covered dependent of an enrollee of 26 a vision benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan, where the 27 subcontracted provider of vision care will seek reimbursement 28 from the plan or enrollee for the subcontracted materials or 29 services. 30 (b) Any agreement a vision benefit manager enters into with 31 another person to provide an enrollee with covered services or 32 covered materials. 33 Sec. 34. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, any 34 provider of vision care who is aggrieved by a violation of NRS 35 686A.135 and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act may bring a 36 civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek any or all 37 of the following relief: 38 1. Declaratory and injunctive relief. 39 2. Actual damages. 40 3. Punitive or exemplary damages in an amount not to exceed 41 $10,000 for each violation. 42 4. Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. 43 5. Any other legal or equitable relief that the court deems 44 appropriate. 45 – 13 – - *AB448* Sec. 35. NRS 686A.010 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1 686A.010 The purpose of NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, 2 inclusive, and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act is to regulate 3 trade practices in the business of insurance in accordance with the 4 intent of Congress as expressed in the Act of Congress approved 5 March 9, 1945, being c. 20, 59 Stat. 33, also designated as 15 U.S.C. 6 §§ 1011 to 1015, inclusive, and Title V of Public Law 106-102, 15 7 U.S.C. §§ 6801 et seq. 8 Sec. 36. NRS 686A.020 is hereby amended to read as follows: 9 686A.020 A person shall not engage in this state in any 10 practice which is defined in NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, 11 and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act as, or determined 12 pursuant to NRS 686A.170 to be, an unfair method of competition 13 or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance. 14 Sec. 37. NRS 686A.135 is hereby amended to read as follows: 15 686A.135 1. [An insurer] A vision benefit manager shall not 16 enter into a contract with a provider of vision care that: 17 (a) Authorizes the [insurer] vision benefit manager to set or 18 limit the amount that the provider of vision care may charge for 19 vision care that is not reimbursed under the contract; 20 (b) Requires the provider of vision care to use a specific 21 laboratory as the manufacturer of [ophthalmic devices or] materials 22 provided to [covered persons; or] enrollees; 23 (c) Requires the provider of vision care to use a specific source 24 or supplier of covered materials or other materials; or 25 (d) Conditions any rate of reimbursement for vision care on the 26 provider of vision care prescribing [ophthalmic devices or] materials 27 in which the [insurer] vision benefit manager has an ownership or 28 other pecuniary interest or increases the rate of reimbursement if the 29 provider of vision care prescribes such [ophthalmic devices or] 30 materials. 31 2. Reimbursement which is paid by a vision benefit manager 32 to a provider of vision care for covered services and covered 33 materials, regardless of the supplier or optical laboratory used, 34 must be: 35 (a) Reasonable and not nominal or de minimis; and 36 (b) Substantially similar to rates for reimbursement under 37 Medicare for the current year. 38 3. Before entering into a contract with a provider of vision care 39 to include the provider of vision care in the network of [an insurer,] 40 a vision benefit manager, the [insurer] vision benefit manager must 41 provide to the provider of vision care a list of the rates of 42 reimbursement for each service covered by the contract. 43 [3. An insurer] 44 – 14 – - *AB448* 4. A vision benefit manager shall disclose in any [policy of 1 insurance that covers] vision [care] benefit plan or vision benefit 2 discount plan or any description of benefits covered by such a 3 [policy,] plan, whether written or electronic, any ownership or other 4 pecuniary interest of the [insurer] vision benefit manager in a 5 supplier of [ophthalmic devices or] materials or a provider of vision 6 care. The disclosure must appear in a conspicuous and clear manner. 7 [4. An insurer] 8 5. A vision benefit manager that does not provide 9 reimbursement for specific vision care shall not claim in any 10 advertisement or other material that the [insurer] vision benefit 11 manager covers that vision care if such vision care is available at a 12 discount or with a copayment or coinsurance in an amount that is in 13 addition to the copayment or coinsurance that [a covered person] an 14 enrollee is typically required to pay for covered services. 15 [5.] 6. A provider of vision care shall disclose in writing to any 16 [covered person] enrollee under a [policy of insurance that covers] 17 vision [care] benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan any 18 ownership or other pecuniary interest of the provider of vision care 19 in a supplier of [ophthalmic devices or] materials, including, without 20 limitation, a general disclosure of any rebates or rewards programs, 21 before the [covered person] enrollee authorizes the provider of 22 vision care to obtain covered [eyewear] materials from such a 23 supplier or laboratory that is not contracted with the [insurer] vision 24 benefit manager providing the [policy of insurance that covers] 25 vision [care.] benefit plan or vision benefit discount plan. The 26 disclosure must appear in a conspicuous and clear manner. 27 [6.] 7. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit [a 28 covered person] an enrollee from using an in-network source or 29 supplier of [ophthalmic devices or] materials as set forth in the 30 [covered person’s policy of insurance that covers] vision [care. 31 7. As used in this section: 32 (a) “Provider of vision care” means a physician who provides 33 vision care or an optometrist. 34 (b) “Vision care” means: 35 (1) Routine ophthalmological evaluation of the eye, 36 including refraction. 37 (2) Ophthalmic devices or materials, including, without 38 limitation, lenses, frames, mountings or other specially fabricated 39 ophthalmic devices. 40 The term “vision care” does not include the initiation of treatment 41 or diagnosis pursuant to a program of medical care.] benefit plan or 42 vision benefit discount plan of the enrollee. 43 – 15 – - *AB448* Sec. 38. NRS 686A.160 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1 686A.160 If the Commissioner has cause to believe that any 2 person has been engaged or is engaging, in this state, in any unfair 3 method of competition or any unfair or deceptive act or practice 4 prohibited by NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 5 to 34, inclusive, of this act and that a proceeding by the 6 Commissioner in respect thereto would be in the interest of the 7 public, the Commissioner may issue and serve upon such person a 8 statement of the charges and a notice of the hearing to be held 9 thereon. The statement of charges and notice of hearing shall 10 comply with the requirements of NRS 679B.320 and shall be served 11 upon such person directly or by certified or registered mail, return 12 receipt requested. 13 Sec. 39. NRS 686A.170 is hereby amended to read as follows: 14 686A.170 1. If the Commissioner believes that any person 15 engaged in the insurance business is in the conduct of such business 16 engaging in this state in any method of competition or in any act or 17 practice not defined in NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and 18 sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act which is unfair or deceptive 19 and that a proceeding by the Commissioner in respect thereto would 20 be in the public interest, the Commissioner shall, after a hearing of 21 which notice and of the charges against such person are given to the 22 person, make a written report of the findings of fact relative to such 23 charges and serve a copy thereof upon such person and any 24 intervener at the hearing. 25 2. If such report charges a violation of NRS 686A.010 to 26 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act, and 27 if such method of competition, act or practice has not been 28 discontinued, the Commissioner may, through the Attorney General, 29 at any time after 20 days after the service of such report cause an 30 action to be instituted in the district court of the county wherein the 31 person resides or has his or her principal place of business to enjoin 32 and restrain such person from engaging in such method, act or 33 practice. The court shall have jurisdiction of the proceeding and 34 shall have power to make and enter appropriate orders in connection 35 therewith and to issue such writs or orders as are ancillary to its 36 jurisdiction or necessary in its judgment to prevent injury to the 37 public pendente lite; but the State of Nevada shall not be required to 38 give security before the issuance of any such order or injunction 39 under this section. If a stenographic record of the proceedings in the 40 hearing before the Commissioner was made, a certified transcript 41 thereof including all evidence taken and the report and findings shall 42 be received in evidence in such action. 43 3. If the court finds that: 44 – 16 – - *AB448* (a) The method of competition complained of is unfair or 1 deceptive; 2 (b) The proceedings by the Commissioner with respect thereto 3 are to the interest of the public; and 4 (c) The findings of the Commissioner are supported by the 5 weight of the evidence, 6 it shall issue its order enjoining and restraining the continuance 7 of such method of competition, act or practice. 8 4. Either party may appeal from such final judgment or order 9 or decree of court in a like manner as provided for appeals in civil 10 cases. 11 5. If the Commissioner’s report made under subsection 1 or 12 order on hearing made under NRS 679B.360 does not charge a 13 violation of NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 14 to 34, inclusive, of this act, then any intervener in the proceedings 15 may appeal therefrom within the time and in the manner provided in 16 this Code for appeals from the Commissioner generally. 17 6. Upon violation of any injunction issued under this section, 18 the Commissioner, after a hearing thereon, may impose the 19 appropriate penalties provided for in NRS 686A.187. 20 Sec. 40. NRS 686A.183 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21 686A.183 1. After the hearing provided for in NRS 22 686A.160, the Commissioner shall issue an order on hearing 23 pursuant to NRS 679B.360. If the Commissioner determines that the 24 person charged has engaged in an unfair method of competition or 25 an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of NRS 686A.010 26 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act, 27 the Commissioner shall order the person to cease and desist from 28 engaging in that method of competition, act or practice, and may 29 order one or both of the following: 30 (a) If the person knew or reasonably should have known that he 31 or she was in violation of NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, 32 and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act, payment of an 33 administrative fine of not more than $5,000 for each act or violation, 34 except that as to licensed agents, brokers, solicitors and adjusters, 35 the administrative fine must not exceed $500 for each act or 36 violation. 37 (b) Suspension or revocation of the person’s license if the 38 person knew or reasonably should have known that he or she was in 39 violation of NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive [.] , and sections 40 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act. 41 2. Until the expiration of the time allowed for taking an appeal, 42 pursuant to NRS 679B.370, if no petition for review has been filed 43 within that time, or, if a petition for review has been filed within that 44 time, until the official record in the proceeding has been filed with 45 – 17 – - *AB448* the court, the Commissioner may, at any time, upon such notice and 1 in such manner as the Commissioner deems proper, modify or set 2 aside, in whole or in part, any order issued by him or her under this 3 section. 4 3. After the expiration of the time allowed for taking an appeal, 5 if no petition for review has been filed, the Commissioner may at 6 any time, after notice and opportunity for hearing, reopen and alter, 7 modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any order issued by him or 8 her under this section whenever in the opinion of the Commissioner 9 conditions of fact or of law have so changed as to require such 10 action or if the public interest so requires. 11 Sec. 41. NRS 686A.520 is hereby amended to read as follows: 12 686A.520 1. The provisions of NRS 683A.341, 683A.451, 13 683A.461 and 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 14 34, inclusive, of this act apply to companies. 15 2. For the purposes of subsection 1, unless the context requires 16 that a section apply only to insurers, any reference in those sections 17 to “insurer” must be replaced by a reference to “company.” 18 Sec. 42. NRS 689.160 is hereby amended to read as follows: 19 689.160 1. The provisions of NRS 683A.341, 683A.451, 20 683A.461 and 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 21 34, inclusive, of this act apply to agents and sellers. 22 2. For the purposes of subsection 1, unless the context requires 23 that a section apply only to insurers, any reference in those sections 24 to “insurer” must be replaced by a reference to “agent” and “seller.” 25 3. The provisions of NRS 679B.230 to 679B.300, inclusive, 26 apply to sellers. Unless the context requires that a provision apply 27 only to insurers, any reference in those sections to “insurer” must be 28 replaced by a reference to “seller.” 29 4. The provisions of NRS 683A.301 apply to applicants for and 30 holders of a seller’s certificate of authority. Unless the context 31 requires that a provision apply only to an applicant for or holder of a 32 license as a producer of insurance, any reference in that section to: 33 (a) An “applicant for a license as a producer of insurance” must 34 be replaced by a reference to an “applicant for a seller’s certificate 35 of authority”; and 36 (b) A “licensee” must be replaced by a reference to a “holder of 37 a seller’s certificate of authority.” 38 Sec. 43. NRS 689.595 is hereby amended to read as follows: 39 689.595 1. The provisions of NRS 683A.341, 683A.451, 40 683A.461 and 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 41 34, inclusive, of this act apply to agents and sellers. 42 2. For the purposes of subsection 1, unless the context requires 43 that a section apply only to insurers, any reference in those sections 44 to “insurer” must be replaced by a reference to “agent” and “seller.” 45 – 18 – - *AB448* 3. The provisions of NRS 679B.230 to 679B.300, inclusive, 1 apply to sellers. Unless the context requires that a provision apply 2 only to insurers, any reference in those sections to “insurer” must be 3 replaced by a reference to “seller.” 4 4. The provisions of NRS 683A.301 apply to applicants for and 5 holders of a seller’s permit. Unless the context requires that a 6 provision apply only to an applicant for or a holder of a license as a 7 producer of insurance, any reference in that section to: 8 (a) An “applicant for a license as a producer of insurance” must 9 be replaced by a reference to an “applicant for a seller’s permit”; 10 and 11 (b) A “licensee” must be replaced by a reference to a “holder of 12 a seller’s permit.” 13 Sec. 44. NRS 695C.300 is hereby amended to read as follows: 14 695C.300 1. No health maintenance organization or 15 representative thereof may cause or knowingly permit the use of 16 advertising which is untrue or misleading, solicitation which is 17 untrue or misleading or any form of evidence of coverage which is 18 deceptive. For purposes of this chapter: 19 (a) A statement or item of information shall be deemed to be 20 untrue if it does not conform to fact in any respect which is or may 21 be significant to an enrollee of, or person considering enrollment in, 22 a health care plan. 23 (b) A statement or item of information shall be deemed to be 24 misleading, whether or not it may be literally untrue if, in the total 25 context in which such statement is made or such item of information 26 is communicated, such statement or item of information may be 27 reasonably understood by a reasonable person not possessing special 28 knowledge regarding health care coverage, as indicating any benefit 29 or advantage or the absence of any exclusion, limitation or 30 disadvantage of possible significance to an enrollee of, or person 31 considering enrollment in, a health care plan if such benefit or 32 advantage or absence of limitation, exclusion or disadvantage does 33 not in fact exist. 34 (c) An evidence of coverage shall be deemed to be deceptive if 35 the evidence of coverage taken as a whole, and with consideration 36 given to typography and format as well as language, shall be such as 37 to cause a reasonable person not possessing special knowledge 38 regarding health care plans and evidences of coverage therefor to 39 expect benefits, services, charges or other advantages which the 40 evidence of coverage does not provide or which the health care plan 41 issuing such evidence of coverage does not regularly make available 42 for enrollees covered under such evidence of coverage. 43 2. NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 34, 44 inclusive, of this act shall be construed to apply to health 45 – 19 – - *AB448* maintenance organizations, health care plans and evidences of 1 coverage except to the extent that the nature of health maintenance 2 organizations, health care plans and evidences of coverage render 3 the sections therein clearly inappropriate. 4 3. An enrollee may not be cancelled or not renewed except for 5 the failure to pay the charge for such coverage or for cause as 6 determined in the master contract. 7 4. No health maintenance organization, unless licensed as an 8 insurer, may use in its name, contracts, or literature any of the words 9 “insurance,” “casualty,” “surety,” “mutual” or any other words 10 descriptive of the insurance, casualty or surety business or 11 deceptively similar to the name or description of any insurance or 12 surety corporation doing business in this State. 13 5. No person not certificated under this chapter shall use in its 14 name, contracts or literature the phrase “health maintenance 15 organization” or the initials “HMO.” 16 Sec. 45. NRS 695F.090 is hereby amended to read as follows: 17 695F.090 1. Prepaid limited health service organizations are 18 subject to the provisions of this chapter and to the following 19 provisions, to the extent reasonably applicable: 20 (a) NRS 686B.010 to 686B.175, inclusive, concerning rates and 21 essential insurance. 22 (b) NRS 687B.310 to 687B.420, inclusive, concerning 23 cancellation and nonrenewal of policies. 24 (c) NRS 687B.122 to 687B.128, inclusive, concerning 25 readability of policies. 26 (d) The requirements of NRS 679B.152. 27 (e) The fees imposed pursuant to NRS 449.465. 28 (f) NRS 686A.010 to 686A.310, inclusive, and sections 2 to 34, 29 inclusive, of this act concerning trade practices and frauds. 30 (g) The assessment imposed pursuant to NRS 679B.700. 31 (h) Chapter 683A of NRS. 32 (i) To the extent applicable, the provisions of NRS 689B.340 to 33 689B.580, inclusive, and chapter 689C of NRS relating to the 34 portability and availability of health insurance. 35 (j) NRS 689A.035, 689A.0463, 689A.410, 689A.413 and 36 689A.415. 37 (k) NRS 680B.025 to 680B.060, inclusive, concerning premium 38 tax, premium tax rate, annual report and estimated quarterly tax 39 payments. For the purposes of this paragraph, unless the context 40 otherwise requires that a section apply only to insurers, any 41 reference in those sections to “insurer” must be replaced by a 42 reference to “prepaid limited health service organization.” 43 (l) Chapter 692C of NRS, concerning holding companies. 44 (m) NRS 689A.637, concerning health centers. 45 – 20 – - *AB448* (n) Chapter 681B of NRS, concerning assets and liabilities. 1 (o) NRS 682A.400 to 682A.468, inclusive, concerning 2 investments. 3 2. For the purposes of this section and the provisions set forth 4 in subsection 1, a prepaid limited health service organization is 5 included in the meaning of the term “insurer.” 6 Sec. 46. NRS 287.010 is hereby amended to read as follows: 7 287.010 1. The governing body of any county, school 8 district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public 9 corporation or other local governmental agency of the State of 10 Nevada may: 11 (a) Adopt and carry into effect a system of group life, accident 12 or health insurance, or any combination thereof, for the benefit of its 13 officers and employees, and the dependents of officers and 14 employees who elect to accept the insurance and who, where 15 necessary, have authorized the governing body to make deductions 16 from their compensation for the payment of premiums on the 17 insurance. 18 (b) Purchase group policies of life, accident or health insurance, 19 or any combination thereof, for the benefit of such officers and 20 employees, and the dependents of such officers and employees, as 21 have authorized the purchase, from insurance companies authorized 22 to transact the business of such insurance in the State of Nevada, 23 and, where necessary, deduct from the compensation of officers and 24 employees the premiums upon insurance and pay the deductions 25 upon the premiums. 26 (c) Provide group life, accident or health coverage through a 27 self-insurance reserve fund and, where necessary, deduct 28 contributions to the maintenance of the fund from the compensation 29 of officers and employees and pay the deductions into the fund. The 30 money accumulated for this purpose through deductions from the 31 compensation of officers and employees and contributions of the 32 governing body must be maintained as an internal service fund as 33 defined by NRS 354.543. The money must be deposited in a state or 34 national bank or credit union authorized to transact business in the 35 State of Nevada. Any independent administrator of a fund created 36 under this section is subject to the licensing requirements of chapter 37 683A of NRS, and must be a resident of this State. Any contract 38 with an independent administrator must be approved by the 39 Commissioner of Insurance as to the reasonableness of 40 administrative charges in relation to contributions collected and 41 benefits provided. The provisions of NRS 439.581 to 439.597, 42 inclusive, 686A.135 [,] and sections 2 to 34, inclusive, of this act, 43 687B.352, 687B.408, 687B.692, 687B.723, 687B.725, 687B.805, 44 689B.030 to 689B.0317, inclusive, paragraphs (b) and (c) of 45 – 21 – - *AB448* subsection 1 of NRS 689B.0319, subsections 2, 4, 6 and 7 of NRS 1 689B.0319, 689B.033 to 689B.0369, inclusive, 689B.0375 to 2 689B.050, inclusive, 689B.0675, 689B.265, 689B.287 and 3 689B.500 apply to coverage provided pursuant to this paragraph, 4 except that the provisions of NRS 689B.0378, 689B.03785 and 5 689B.500 only apply to coverage for active officers and employees 6 of the governing body, or the dependents of such officers and 7 employees. 8 (d) Defray part or all of the cost of maintenance of a self-9 insurance fund or of the premiums upon insurance. The money for 10 contributions must be budgeted for in accordance with the laws 11 governing the county, school district, municipal corporation, 12 political subdivision, public corporation or other local governmental 13 agency of the State of Nevada. 14 2. If a school district offers group insurance to its officers and 15 employees pursuant to this section, members of the board of trustees 16 of the school district must not be excluded from participating in the 17 group insurance. If the amount of the deductions from compensation 18 required to pay for the group insurance exceeds the compensation to 19 which a trustee is entitled, the difference must be paid by the trustee. 20 3. In any county in which a legal services organization exists, 21 the governing body of the county, or of any school district, 22 municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation or 23 other local governmental agency of the State of Nevada in the 24 county, may enter into a contract with the legal services 25 organization pursuant to which the officers and employees of the 26 legal services organization, and the dependents of those officers and 27 employees, are eligible for any life, accident or health insurance 28 provided pursuant to this section to the officers and employees, and 29 the dependents of the officers and employees, of the county, school 30 district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public 31 corporation or other local governmental agency. 32 4. If a contract is entered into pursuant to subsection 3, the 33 officers and employees of the legal services organization: 34 (a) Shall be deemed, solely for the purposes of this section, to be 35 officers and employees of the county, school district, municipal 36 corporation, political subdivision, public corporation or other local 37 governmental agency with which the legal services organization has 38 contracted; and 39 (b) Must be required by the contract to pay the premiums or 40 contributions for all insurance which they elect to accept or of which 41 they authorize the purchase. 42 5. A contract that is entered into pursuant to subsection 3: 43 – 22 – - *AB448* (a) Must be submitted to the Commissioner of Insurance for 1 approval not less than 30 days before the date on which the contract 2 is to become effective. 3 (b) Does not become effective unless approved by the 4 Commissioner. 5 (c) Shall be deemed to be approved if not disapproved by the 6 Commissioner within 30 days after its submission. 7 6. As used in this section, “legal services organization” means 8 an organization that operates a program for legal aid and receives 9 money pursuant to NRS 19.031. 10 Sec. 47. NRS 287.04335 is hereby amended to read as 11 follows: 12 287.04335 If the Board provides health insurance through a 13 plan of self-insurance, it shall comply with the provisions of NRS 14 439.581 to 439.597, inclusive, 686A.135 [,] and sections 2 to 34, 15 inclusive, of this act, 687B.352, 687B.409, 687B.692, 687B.723, 16 687B.725, 687B.805, 689B.0353, 689B.255, 695C.1723, 695G.150, 17 695G.155, 695G.160, 695G.162, 695G.1635, 695G.164, 18 695G.1645, 695G.1665, 695G.167, 695G.1675, 695G.170 to 19 695G.1712, inclusive, 695G.1714 to 695G.174, inclusive, 20 695G.176, 695G.177, 695G.200 to 695G.230, inclusive, 695G.241 21 to 695G.310, inclusive, 695G.405 and 695G.415, in the same 22 manner as an insurer that is licensed pursuant to title 57 of NRS is 23 required to comply with those provisions. 24 Sec. 48. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to 25 any contract or agreement existing on the effective date of this act 26 until the contract or agreement is renewed. 27 Sec. 49. The provisions of NRS 354.599 do not apply to any 28 additional expenses of a local government that are related to the 29 provisions of this act. 30 Sec. 50. This act becomes effective upon passage and 31 approval. 32 H