What's happening
This bill requires insurance companies to issue joint checks to both insured individuals and health care providers for out-of-network services.
Why it matters
Ensures Direct Payment to Providers. By requiring joint checks made out to both the insured and the out-of-network provider, the bill helps guarantee that health care providers actually receive payment for services rendered, rather than relying on patients to forward insurance reimbursement.
Reduces Risk of Payment Delays or Misuse. This change aims to prevent situations where patients might inadvertently or deliberately cash insurance checks without paying their medical bills, which can lead to disputes and debt for both patients and providers.
May Affect Patient and Provider Relationships. The bill could influence how patients and out-of-network providers interact, potentially making it easier for patients to access care from providers outside their insurance networks, knowing the provider will be directly included in the payment process.
Could Impact Administrative Processes. Insurance companies and medical offices may face new administrative requirements to process joint checks, which could lead to changes in billing practices or increased paperwork for all parties involved.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Joint Checks for Providers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1728
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring insurance companies to issue joint checks for payment to an insured and a health care provider in certain circumstances
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 4406-h to read as follows:
§ 4406-h. Payment for out-of-network health care services; joint checks. An insurance company subject to article thirty-two of this chapter, shall issue and provide an insured with a joint check made out to both the insured and to a health care provider for the purposes of payment to such health care provider for any out-of-network services rendered to the insured. Such check shall list the full name of the insured with the word "and" after such name followed by the name of the health care provider or group practice.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03268-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.