An Act Concerning Affirmative Attestations By Specialists Regarding Prescription Drugs.
If enacted, this bill will impact both healthcare providers and insurers in the state. Starting January 1, 2019, health insurers, healthcare centers, and service organizations that offer policies covering prescription drugs will be required to implement this new attestation process. This could lead to more streamlined communication between specialists and primary care providers, potentially increasing patient safety and improving treatment outcomes by ensuring that all healthcare providers involved in a patient's care are on the same page regarding medications being prescribed.
House Bill 5378 aims to regulate the process by which specialists communicate with primary care providers regarding prescriptions. The bill establishes that any specialist who prescribes or modifies a prescription for an insured must provide written attestation that they have informed the primary care provider of the prescription details. This measure is geared towards enhancing communication and coordination between healthcare providers, ensuring that primary care providers are updated on treatments being prescribed by specialists.
The discussions surrounding HB 5378 may include concerns regarding implementation logistics and whether such a regulatory requirement could create hurdles for specialists in their prescribing practices. The requirement may also raise questions about the burden placed on healthcare providers, particularly in busy practices where communication can already be challenging. Additionally, there may be discussions on how the attestation requirement could affect reimbursement timelines and processes, especially if non-compliance leads to delays in reimbursements for specialists offering care.