2026 Q2 Regulatory Updates

A look at five state actions reshaping Medicare Supplement guaranteed issue rules, dental loss ratio reporting, and fixed indemnity product definitions this quarter.

Medicare Supplement

‍‍Rhode Island

S3282 / H8595 - Effective Date: June 22, 2026

Section 27-18.2-3(h) is amended to expand guaranteed issued eligibility to individuals who have been covered by another form of creditable coverage with no gap in coverage greater than 90 days beginning from the individual's Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Previously these rights were only available to individuals enrolled in a Med Supp or MA plan, and the gap in coverage requirement was greater than 90 days beginning from the individual's Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

‍‍‍Minnesota

HF4 was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in June 2025 and will become effective August 1, 2026.  HF4 created a new guaranteed issue situation that allows individuals aged 65 to 70 to enroll in a Medicare supplement policy outside of their initial open enrollment period to enroll during the Medicare annual OE period without medical underwriting or preexisting condition limitations with a premium penalty. HF4 also provided pre-existing condition formatting requirements and reinstated statutory Replacement Notice disclosure language from 2022.

Several bills were introduced in the 2025-2026 Legislature (SF4184/HF4441, SF4148, SF4836/HF4695) to repeal or postpone the requirements of HF4, however, these bills failed to pass.

Dental

Colorado

Rule Update 2026-00191- Effective Date: July 30, 2026

Regulation 4-2-99 (Dental Loss Ratio Reporting Requirements) is amended to include definitions for “Credibility Adjustment” and “Observed Dental Loss Ratio” and requirements for credibility adjustment and outlier identification.

Mississippi

Bulletin 2026-8- Effective Date: May 27, 2026

During the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, the Legislature passed House Bill 1117, which mandates dental insurance carriers calculate and report their dental loss ratios annually and submit a report by June 30th annually, beginning with June 30, 2026. To assist carriers in submitting their DLR annual reports, Mississippi Insurance Department has established an online workbook on their website for carriers to upload their information.   

‍‍Fixed Indemnity

Minnesota

HF4188- Effective Date: August 25, 2026

Defines Short-Term Home Health and Nursing Care Insurance as a fixed indemnity product that may be filed for approval and offered in the state. Establishes short-term home health and nursing care insurance policy requirements, providing benefits upon cognitive impairment or the insured's inability to perform at least two activities of daily living without substantial assistance, with a coverage period not to exceed 360 days.