(a) Every corporation subject to the provisions of this article that issues individual health insurance contracts or group or blanket accident and health insurance contracts shall provide covered individuals with written certification, in a form as the superintendent may approve, of:

1. (1) the period of creditable coverage, as defined in section four thousand three hundred eighteen of this article, of the individual under such contract and under any continuation coverage pursuant to state or federal law; and
2. (2) any waiting period or affiliation period (if applicable) imposed with respect to the individual for coverage under any such contract.

(b) The corporation shall provide such certification:

1. (1) at the time an individual ceases to be covered under the contract, including any period of time the individual was covered pursuant to any right of continuation under the contract; and
2. (2) on the request on behalf of an individual made not later than twenty-four months after the date of cessation of the coverage described in paragraph one of this subsection.