Connecticut Senate Bill SB00319

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20
• Report Pass: 3/10/20

Caption

An Act Requiring The Insurance Commissioner To Study Reimbursement Parity For Podiatrists.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would prompt the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report detailing the findings of this study to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly related to insurance matters by January 1, 2021. The implications of the findings and recommendations made by the Commissioner could lead to significant changes in the state’s health insurance regulations, especially concerning reimbursement practices for podiatrists and possibly other healthcare providers in similar situations.

Summary

SB00319 aims to require the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on reimbursement parity for podiatrists. Specifically, it addresses the practice of health insurance entities paying reduced reimbursements to podiatrists who provide covered benefits. The bill seeks to evaluate the feasibility and anticipated impact of prohibiting such reduced payments, thereby aiming to ensure that podiatrists are compensated equitably for their services, similar to other healthcare providers in the state.

Contention

While the bill's primary focus is to study reimbursement parity for podiatrists, a notable point of contention may arise around the broader issues of healthcare financing and insurance practices. Stakeholders may debate the efficacy and necessity of such a study, as well as its potential consequence on healthcare costs and provider relations. Any recommendations made by the Insurance Commissioner could lead to further legislative discussions and decisions on how best to balance the interests of healthcare providers with those of insurance companies and consumers.