Bill > HB1894

This bill, known as the "Patients First Act", requires the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance to implement federal nondiscrimination protections for health care providers in health insurance plans. Specifically, the bill prohibits group health plans and health insurance issuers from discriminating against health care providers who are acting within their licensed scope of practice. The legislation mandates that all health care providers must be reimbursed at the same rate for the same service within their professional scope, though plans can still establish varying reimbursement rates based on quality or performance measures. The bill does not apply to physicians licensed under Chapter 334 of Missouri law, and it grants the Department of Commerce and Insurance the authority to create necessary rules and regulations for implementing these provisions, with the stipulation that such rules must comply with existing state administrative rulemaking procedures. The goal appears to be ensuring fair treatment and equal compensation for different types of licensed health care providers across health insurance plans.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1894&year=2026&code=R