(a) Except in the case of a late enrollee, or for satisfaction of a preexisting condition clause in the case of initial coverage of an eligible employee, a disability insurer may not exclude any eligible employee or dependent who would otherwise be entitled to health care services on the basis of any of the following: the health status, the medical condition, including both physical and mental illnesses, the claims experience, the medical history, the genetic information, or the disability or evidence of insurability, including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence of that employee or dependent. No health benefit plan may limit or exclude coverage for a specific eligible employee or dependent by type of illness, treatment, medical condition, or accident, except for preexisting conditions as permitted by Section 10198.7.
(b) For purposes of this section, “health benefit plan” shall have the same meaning as in Section 10198.6 and subdivision (a) of Section 10198.61.
(c) For purposes of this section, “eligible employee” shall have the same meaning as in Section 10700 except that it shall apply to any health benefit plan covering two or more eligible employees.