Connecticut House Bill HB06381

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/13
• Refer: 2/7/13

Caption

An Act Concerning Health Insurance Claim Forms And Uniform Treatment Authorization Forms For Mental Health Services.

Impact

The bill impacts state laws regarding the submission of health insurance claims by repealing previous subsections of section 38a-477 and substituting them with new provisions that streamline the claims submission process. By mandating the use of uniform treatment authorization forms for mental health services and stipulating that such forms meet both state and federal standards, the legislation supports the delivery of mental health services in a more organized manner. This is particularly notable as it establishes consistency in how mental health treatment is authorized, thereby potentially increasing access to required services.

Summary

House Bill 06381 proposes changes to the health insurance claim process by allowing healthcare providers to utilize a National Provider Identifier (NPI) instead of a federal tax identification number when submitting claims using the HCFA1500 form. This amendment aims to simplify the claims process for providers and promote efficiency in health insurance transactions. By standardizing the information required on the claim forms, the bill addresses the concerns regarding claim processing deficiencies that can arise from ambiguities in the submission of documentation and patient information.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB 06381 may include discussions on the implications of replacing tax identification numbers with NPIs in claims, as stakeholders may express concerns regarding the transition process and the potential complexities it might introduce for smaller healthcare providers. Additionally, the requirement for uniform treatment authorization forms could raise questions about how effectively these forms address specific needs of different mental health providers, and whether they are adequately meeting privacy standards mandated by existing healthcare regulations. These discussions underscore the balance between standardized processing in the health insurance framework and the need for flexibility to cater to diverse healthcare settings.