An article in the October 7, 2013 New Jersey Spotlight on health care, written by Andrew Kitchenman, addresses the problem of grace period or late payments and its impact upon providers.  As we pointed out in our August 23^rd blog, this is an issue which will be of major concern to providers.  As of now, the providers will be holding the bag and will need to chase the patient, in those circumstances in which the patient has not paid the premium and the grace period has expired.  As the law is currently drafted, the patient can continue their insurance for 90 days with it being retroactively cancelled at the end of 90 days if they have not made the payment of the premium.  The insurer will only be responsible for the first 31 days.