New York Laws
Article 45 - Fraternal Benefit Societies
4512 - Accident and Health and Disability Insurance Certificates; Compliance With Rules and Regulations.

(b) Anything in this article to the contrary notwithstanding, each
certificate of hospitalization expense benefits or surgical or medical
expense benefits delivered or issued for delivery in this state to any
member individually or as the head of a family shall:
(1) stipulate a premium determined on the basis of the age of the
member, which premium shall be subject to change only if the premiums on
all outstanding certificates in the same class are changed in accordance
with the standards which shall have been established prior to the
issuance of the certificate for the determination of the increase or
decrease in the premiums and are on file with and approved by the
superintendent,
(2) contain the following provisions under the caption "Incontestable
and Guaranteed Renewable":
"After this certificate has been in force for a period of one year
from the date of issue, it shall become incontestable as to the
statements contained in the application and the member shall have the
right to continue the same in force, subject to the timely payment of
premiums and the conditions of the certificate relating to military
service;" and
(3) in the case of such certificates written at issue age above
sixty-five years, contain the following provision:
"No claim for benefits provided in this certificate shall be reduced
or denied on the ground that a disease or physical condition had existed
prior to the effective date of coverage of this certificate, except only
such disease or physical condition which is specifically eliminated by
rider, attached to this certificate, a copy which shall have been
furnished to the member and its receipt evidenced by a signed amendment
to the application for such certificate."