HB 1493-FN – AS INTRODUCED

2012 SESSION

12-2142

01/03

HOUSE BILL 1493-FN

AN ACT relative to copayments for certain specialists.

SPONSORS: Rep. Weyler, Rock 8; Rep. Major, Rock 8; Rep. Ward, Rock 13

COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill declares that an insurer shall not charge a copayment, coinsurance, or office visit deductible for certain specialists that is greater than a copayment, coinsurance, or office visit deductible for an office visit to a licensed physician or osteopath.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12-2142

01/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

AN ACT relative to copayments for certain specialists.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Copayments for Certain Specialists. Amend RSA 415 by inserting after section 6-q the following new section:

415:6-r Copayments, Coinsurance, or Office Visit Deductible for Certain Specialists. Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance that constitutes health coverage for the services of occupational therapists, licensed under RSA 326-C, physical therapists, licensed under RSA 328-A, or speech-language pathologists, licensed under RSA 326-F shall not charge a copayment, coinsurance, or office visit deductible that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance, or office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopath licensed under RSA 329 for an office visit.

2 New Section; Copayments for Certain Specialists. Amend RSA 415 by inserting after section 18-v the following new section:

415:18-w Copayments, Coinsurance, or Office Visit Deductible for Certain Specialists. Each insurer that issues or renews any policy of group or blanket accident or health insurance that constitutes health coverage for the services of occupational therapists, licensed under RSA 326-C, physical therapists, licensed under RSA 328-A, or speech-language pathologists, licensed under RSA 326-F shall not charge a copayment, coinsurance, or office visit deductible that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance, or office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopath licensed under RSA 329 for an office visit.

3 Health Service Corporations; Coverage Provided by Certain Specialists. Amend RSA 420-A:2 to read as follows:

420-A:2 Applicable Statutes. Every health service corporation shall be governed by this chapter and the relevant provisions of RSA 161-H, and shall be exempt from this title except for the provisions of RSA 400-A:39, RSA 401-B, RSA 402-C, RSA 404-F, RSA 415-A, RSA 415-F, RSA 415:6, II(4), RSA 415:6-g, RSA 415:6-k, RSA 415:6-m, RSA 415:6-o, RSA 415:6-r, RSA 415:18, V, [RSA 415:18, VII(g),] RSA 415:18, XVI and XVII, RSA 415:18, VII-a, RSA 415:18-a, RSA 415:18-j, RSA 415:18-o, RSA 415:18-r, RSA 415:18-t, RSA 415:18-u, RSA 415:18-v, RSA 415:18-w, RSA 415:22, RSA 417, RSA 417-E, RSA 420-J, and all applicable provisions of title XXXVII wherein such corporations are specifically included. Every health service corporation and its agents shall be subject to the fees prescribed for health service corporations under RSA 400-A:29, VII.

4 Health Maintenance Corporations; Coverage for Certain Specialists. Amend RSA 420-B:20, III to read as follows:

III. The requirements of RSA 400-A:39, RSA 401-B, RSA 402-C, RSA 404-F, RSA 415:6-g, RSA 415:6-m, RSA 415:6-o, RSA 415:6-r, [RSA 415:18, VII(g),] RSA 415:18, VII-a, RSA 415:18, XVI and XVII, RSA 415:18-j, RSA 415:18-r, RSA 415:18-t, RSA 415:18-u, RSA 415:18-v, RSA 415:18-w, RSA 415-A, RSA 415-F, RSA 420-G, and RSA 420-J shall apply to health maintenance organizations.

5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

12-2142

11/29/11

HB 1493-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to copayments for certain specialists.

FISCAL IMPACT:

METHODOLOGY: