COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN PREVIOUSLY COVERED PERSONS.

(a) In this section, "creditable coverage" has the meaning assigned by Section 1205.004(a).

(b) A preexisting condition provision in an individual accident and health insurance policy may not apply to an individual who was continuously covered for an aggregate period of 18 months by creditable coverage that was in effect up to a date not more than 63 days before the effective date of the individual coverage, excluding any waiting period.

(c) In determining whether a preexisting condition provision of an individual accident and health insurance policy applies to an individual, an insurer shall credit the time the individual previously was covered under creditable coverage if the previous coverage was in effect at any time during the 18 months preceding the effective date of the individual coverage.