Bill > HB70

This bill prohibits public and private health carriers from imposing certain requirements on health care providers regarding electronic medical records (EMRs), which are digital versions of traditional paper medical charts. Specifically, the bill prevents health carriers from mandating that providers use EMRs, withholding any portion of a provider's fee for not using an EMR, requiring a specific EMR format, or demanding more than basic patient identification and treatment information in the record. The bill defines an EMR as a digital record containing clinical notes and information primarily used by healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment purposes. The legislation applies to health carriers governed by state law and does not conflict with federal regulations. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, and according to the fiscal note, it is not expected to require additional funding or create new positions. While the bill may potentially impact administrative efficiencies and costs for both healthcare providers and carriers, the precise financial implications are considered indeterminable by the Insurance Department.