Connecticut House Bill HB06236

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/11
• Refer: 1/27/11

Caption

An Act Requiring The Inclusion Of Primary Care Providers On Health Insurance Identification Cards.

Impact

The inclusion of primary care provider names on insurance cards is expected to enhance the navigational experience for patients within the healthcare system. It will allow enrollees to immediately identify their assigned primary care physician, which could lead to better health coordination and understanding. This could particularly benefit individuals who frequently change providers or insurance plans, creating a uniformity that fosters better healthcare management. The bill is also viewed as a proactive measure to address potential gaps in patient knowledge regarding their primary healthcare provider.

Summary

House Bill 06236 mandates that health insurance identification cards issued by various entities must include the name of each enrollee's primary care physician. This legislative effort is aimed at improving patient-provider rapport and ensuring easier access to essential healthcare information for patients. With this change, insured individuals will have ready access to their primary care physician's information directly on their identification card, which can facilitate more effective communication and continuity of care.

Contention

While the bill has been generally well-received, there are concerns regarding its implementation cost and the administrative burden it may impose on insurance companies, hospitals, and medical service corporations. Some stakeholders worry that the added requirement might lead to increased operational costs that could ultimately be passed on to consumers. Further, there are discussions around the feasibility of including this information accurately and updating it in real-time to reflect any changes in an enrollee's primary care provider, as inconsistencies could lead to confusion or miscommunication in patient care.