Bill > S2081

This bill aims to protect access to confidential healthcare by requiring health insurance carriers to develop and use a common summary of payments form that clearly shows a consumer's out-of-pocket costs for healthcare claims, written in an easy-to-understand format. Carriers must allow insured individuals, or those legally authorized to consent to their care, to choose how they receive these forms, including mail to various addresses or secure electronic access, and must honor requests for alternative delivery methods within three business days. The bill also allows carriers to forgo sending these forms for services where the insured has no payment liability, such as certain preventive care, but must still provide them upon request. Importantly, carriers are prohibited from listing descriptions of sensitive health care services on these forms, and the state division will define what constitutes a sensitive service, considering expert input. Insureds will have the right to request that summary of payments forms be suppressed for specific services if they have no payment liability, without needing to provide a reason unless legally required. These rights and options must be clearly communicated in plain language on all relevant documents, member communications, and carrier websites. The bill also mandates the development of educational plans for providers and consumers about these new rights and responsibilities, with specific timelines for the implementation of regulations and various provisions of the law.