(a) A health care service plan that receives an application for an individual health benefit plan outside the Exchange during the initial open enrollment period, an annual enrollment period, or a special enrollment period described in Section 1399.849 shall inform the applicant that he or she may be eligible for lower cost coverage through the Exchange and shall inform the applicant of the applicable enrollment period provided through the Exchange described in Section 1399.849.
(b) On or before October 1, 2013, and annually every October 1 thereafter, a health care service plan shall issue a notice to a subscriber enrolled in an individual health benefit plan offered outside the Exchange. The notice shall inform the subscriber that he or she may be eligible for lower cost coverage through the Exchange and shall inform the subscriber of the applicable open enrollment period and special enrollment periods provided through the Exchange described in Section 1399.849.
(c) This section shall not apply where the individual health benefit plan described in subdivision (a) or (b) is a grandfathered health plan.