---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 158.251"
title: "45"
number: "158.251"
heading: "Notice of MLR information."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/158.251"
---

# §158.251. Notice of MLR information.

- (a) **Notice of MLR information when the MLR standard is met or exceeded—**
  - (1) **General requirement.** Except as provided in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, for the 2011 MLR reporting year, an issuer whose MLR meets or exceeds the applicable MLR standard required by [§ 158.210](/cfr/45/158.210.md) or [§ 158.211](/cfr/45/158.211.md) must provide each policyholder and subscriber of a group health plan, and each subscriber in the individual market, a notice in accordance with the requirements of this section.
  - (2) **Timing.** An issuer must provide the notice required in this [paragraph (a)](#a) with the first plan document that the issuer provides to enrollees on or after July 1, 2012.
  - (3) **Form and appearance.** The notice must be prominently displayed in clear, conspicuous 14-point bold type on the front of the plan document or as a separate notice. The notice may be provided electronically, if the requirements for electronic disclosure under section 2715 of the Public Health Service Act are met.
  - (4) **Language.** The following language must be used to satisfy the notice requirement of this [paragraph (a)](#a):
- (b) **Exceptions.** The requirements of [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section do not apply to an issuer that reports its experience separately under § [158.120(d)(3)](/cfr/45/158.120.md?p=d-3) or [(d)(4)](/cfr/45/158.120.md?p=d-4), or to an issuer whose experience is non-credible as defined in [§ 158.230(c)(3)](/cfr/45/158.230.md?p=c-3) and determined in accordance with [§ 158.231](/cfr/45/158.231.md).

## Notes

### Amendments

[77 FR 28797, May 16, 2012]

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300gg-18.

### Source

Source: 75 FR 74921, Dec. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[77 FR 28797, May 16, 2012]