Bill > SB136

This bill establishes an uncompensated health care fund, administered by the Department of Insurance, to help non-profit safety-net health care providers cover the costs of care for individuals who cannot pay. This fund will be financed through an assessment, essentially a surcharge, levied on commercial health insurance carriers, reinsurers, and trusts that manage self-insured health plans in New Hampshire. A new advisory committee, composed of representatives from various healthcare stakeholders, insurance companies, and government officials, will be formed to advise the Insurance Commissioner on how to determine the amount of uncompensated care to be funded and how to distribute those funds to eligible providers. Importantly, the bill prohibits these assessment costs from being passed on to individuals or employer groups through higher premiums or projected claims costs. The bill also outlines the process for calculating uncompensated care costs, how eligible providers can apply for funds, and specifies that any unspent funds will roll over to the next year, potentially reducing future assessments. The Department of Insurance is authorized to use a portion of the fund for administrative expenses, and the bill includes provisions for rulemaking and a phased implementation starting in 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1148&inflect=2