If a pet insurer uses any of the terms in this Regulation in
a policy of pet insurance, the pet insurer shall use the definition of each of
those terms as set forth herein and include the definition of the term(s) in
the policy. The pet insurer shall also make the definition available through a
clear and conspicuous link on the main page of the pet insurer or pet insurer's
program administrator's website.
Nothing in this Regulation shall in any way prohibit or limit
the types of exclusions pet insurers may use in their policies or require pet
insurers to have any of the limitations or exclusions defined below.
A. "Chronic condition" means a condition that
can be treated or managed, but not cured.
B. "Congenital anomaly or disorder" means a
condition that is present from birth, whether inherited or caused by the
environment, which may cause or contribute to illness or disease.
C. "Hereditary disorder" means an abnormality
that is genetically transmitted from parent to offspring and may cause illness
or disease.
D. "Orthopedic" refers
to conditions affecting the bones, skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendons,
ligaments, and joints. It includes, but is not limited to, elbow dysplasia, hip
dysplasia, intervertebral disc degeneration, patellar luxation, and ruptured
cranial cruciate ligaments. It does not include cancers or metabolic,
hemopoietic, or autoimmune diseases.
E. "Pet insurance" means a property insurance
policy that provides coverage for accidents and illnesses of pets.
F. "Pet Insurance Producer" means a person
licensed in a major line of authority and appointed by a pet insurer may be
authorized to sell, solicit or negotiate a pet insurance product.
G. "Preexisting condition" means any
condition for which any of the following are true prior to the effective date
of a pet insurance policy or during any waiting period:
(1) A veterinarian provided medical
advice;
(2) The pet received
previous treatment; or
(3) Based on
information from verifiable sources, the pet had signs or symptoms directly
related to the condition for which a claim is being made.
A condition for which coverage is afforded on a policy cannot
be considered a preexisting condition on any renewal of the policy.
H. "Renewal" means to
issue and deliver at the end of an insurance policy period a policy that
supersedes a policy previously issued and delivered by the same pet insurer or
affiliated pet insurer and which provides types and limits of coverage
substantially similar to those contained in the policy being
superseded.
I. "Veterinarian" means
an individual who holds a valid license to practice veterinary medicine from
the appropriate licensing entity in the jurisdiction in which he or she
practices.
J. "Veterinary expenses"
means the costs associated with medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment
provided by a veterinarian, including, but not limited to, the cost of drugs
prescribed by a veterinarian.
K.
"Waiting period" means the period of time specified in a pet insurance policy
that is required to transpire before some or all of the coverage in the policy
can begin. Waiting periods may not be applied to renewals of existing
coverage.
L. "Wellness program"
means a subscription or reimbursement-based program that is separate from an
insurance policy that provides goods and services to promote the general
health, safety, or wellbeing of the pet. Any wellness program that meets the
definition of insurance as provided in Miss. Code Ann. §
83-5-5 (Rev. 2022), shall be
considered insurance and shall be subject to the insurance code. This
definition is not intended to classify a contract directly between a service
provider and a pet owner that only involves the two parties as being "the
business of insurance," unless other indications of insurance also
exist.
