Connecticut Senate Bill SB00454

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/25
• Refer: 1/10/25

Caption

An Act Requiring Health Insurers To Allow A Covered Person To Terminate Coverage And Procure Alternate Health Insurance Without Penalty When Such Covered Person's Health Care Providers Are Designated Out-of-network.

Impact

If enacted, SB 454 would amend Chapter 700c of the general statutes related to health insurance. The bill's provisions are designed to allow individuals greater flexibility in choosing their healthcare providers and management of their insurance plans while minimizing disruptions in their care. This would mean that when a provider is categorized as out-of-network, the patient could switch insurers freely, thus fostering an environment where insurance companies might negotiate more effectively with healthcare providers to avoid disruptions in coverage for patients.

Summary

Senate Bill 454 aims to enhance patient rights by allowing covered individuals to terminate their health insurance coverage without penalties when their healthcare providers are designated as out-of-network due to disputes between health insurers and providers. Specifically, the bill requires health insurers to facilitate this process and provide support to affected individuals as they transition to alternative health insurance. This legislation is intended to promote patient choice and ensure continuity of care amid conflicts regarding provider status in the insurance network.

Contention

While SB 454 garners support for addressing patient access issues, it may also face pushback from health insurers concerned about the financial implications of covering out-of-network services and managing the flow of patient transitions. Insurers may argue that such policies could incentivize provider disputes or lead to increased costs if patients frequently switch policies. Nevertheless, supporters contend that ensuring patients have the right to continuity of care outweighs these concerns, emphasizing the importance of patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.