A person covered under group life, group accidental death and dismemberment, group disability income or group medical expense insurance, shall not be denied benefits to which the person is otherwise entitled solely because of a change in the insurance company writing the coverage or in the group contract applicable to the person. In the case of one or more carriers replacing or remaining in place after one or more plans have been discontinued, each carrier shall accept any person who was covered under the discontinued plan or plans without denial of benefits to which other persons in the group covered by that carrier are entitled. "Insurance company" shall include a service plan corporation under chapter 62C or 62D.
For purposes of satisfying any preexisting condition limitation, the insurance company shall credit the period of time the person was covered by the prior plan, if the person has maintained continuous coverage.
The commissioner shall promulgate rules to carry out this section. Nothing in this section shall preclude an employer, union or association from reducing the level of benefits under any group insurance policy or plan.