An insurer, subject to the provisions of article thirty-two of the insurance law, a corporation organized pursuant to article forty-three of the insurance law, or a licensed maintenance organization under article forty-four of this chapter, that issues a health insurance policy or contract that provides eligibility for a special enrollment period shall allow for the enrollment of a pregnant individual at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy, as certified by a health care practitioner licensed pursuant to title eight of the education law, acting within his or her scope of practice. Coverage shall be deemed effective as of the first of the month in which the individual receives certification of the pregnancy.