Bill > HB1374

This bill aims to regulate payment methods between health insurance plans and healthcare providers, and also revises state purchasing procedures. Regarding insurance payments, it prohibits health insurance plans, or their vendors and care management organizations, from restricting payment methods to only credit cards or other methods that impose fees on healthcare providers, effective for plans issued or renewed after January 1, 2027. Instead, providers must be notified of any associated fees, offered alternative payment methods that don't charge them, and must explicitly agree to accept credit card or electronic funds transfer payments, either directly or through their agent, who is a third-party firm or individual handling administrative tasks like billing and payment processing. Healthcare providers or their agents can charge reasonable fees for additional services like transaction and data management when using automated clearing-house network payments. The bill also clarifies that contractual waivers of these payment requirements are void. In terms of state purchasing, it amends rules regarding prequalified suppliers, ensuring that while prequalification can be a factor in awarding contracts, it cannot override competitive bidding requirements, and the Commissioner of Administrative Services must establish rules to prevent this. Furthermore, it prohibits the renewal or extension of contracts that were initially exempt from competitive bidding due to a low price if the renewed or extended contract price exceeds that original threshold, except in cases of emergency purchases.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73363