Bill > HB1812

This bill establishes more stringent requirements for health insurance carriers' mental health network adequacy in New Hampshire, requiring the state Insurance Department to engage an independent third party every three years to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of mental health access. The evaluation will measure several key factors including new appointment availability, the number of appointments available within 7 and 14 days, the percentage of in-person versus virtual appointments (with a minimum of 70% in-person), and the availability of clinicians at statewide and county levels across various mental health service categories. The bill introduces administrative penalties for carriers that fail to meet these standards, with escalating fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per covered life for repeated violations, and allows for potential suspension of a carrier's license. Additionally, if a carrier violates network adequacy requirements three or more times within five years, aggrieved persons may initiate a legal action to recover court costs and attorney's fees. The bill also refines network adequacy definitions by excluding providers who are not accepting new patients, cannot offer timely appointments, or are located outside specified geographic boundaries, with the goal of ensuring more reliable and accessible mental health care services for patients.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2187&inflect=2