Unfair discrimination in health insurance transactions can occur when an insurer differentiates charges or benefits among persons of which group?

In the context of health insurance, unfair discrimination occurs when an insurer treats individuals differently based on characteristics that should not influence their insurance risk or premium amounts. The correct answer relates to the concept of fairness and equity within insurance transactions.

When insurers differentiate charges or benefits among persons in the same class and risk, it directly touches upon unfair discrimination. All individuals within a specific class and risk category should ideally have the same premium rates and benefits, as they present similar potential costs to the insurer based on their collective risk profiles. Differentiating among these individuals without a valid underwriting reason leads to discrimination that can violate fairness standards, as it unjustly penalizes or rewards individuals without a legitimate basis.

The other options involve aspects that may be acceptable under certain circumstances, such as variations in age or health status, as these can be justified by the differing levels of risk they present. Geographic locations might also come with legitimate reasons tied to healthcare costs or utilization rates that can vary by region. However, treating individuals within the same risk classification differently undermines the foundational principles of equitable insurance practices.