Connecticut House Bill HB05912

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

An Act Authorizing Association Health Plans For Medical Practices And Exempting Practices Covered Under Such Plans From Certain Provisions Of The Insurance Statutes.

Impact

The bill seeks to exempt participating medical practices from certain provisions of existing insurance statutes that apply to small employers. This exemption could potentially simplify the health insurance process for these practices. By allowing them to pool resources and risks, it is expected to lower insurance costs and enhance bargaining power when negotiating health plan benefits with insurers.

Summary

House Bill 05912 aims to authorize association health plans specifically for medical practices in Connecticut. This legislation allows two or more medical practices to join together as a bona fide group or association of employers, enabling them to provide health coverage to their employees. This is intended to facilitate improved access to affordable health insurance for smaller medical practices that might struggle to provide adequate coverage on their own.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for aiming to improve healthcare access, it is not without points of contention. Critics may argue that exempting these practices from specific insurance provisions could lead to discrepancies in coverage quality and consumer protections. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential implications for larger insurance frameworks and the overall healthcare market, such as risk pooling and the sustainability of coverage offerings under such plans. Stakeholders in the healthcare industry may voice differing opinions on whether the bill will ultimately benefit patients and providers alike or create unintended consequences.