Connecticut House Bill HB05363

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20

Caption

An Act Requiring The Insurance Commissioner To Study Third-party Health Insurance And Medicare Marketing.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5363 will lead to an examination of the practices of various third parties that may not be directly regulated under existing insurance laws. This could enable the state to assess whether these practices could mislead consumers or affect their access to health insurance options. By producing a report due by January 1, 2021, the bill serves as a proactive measure to potentially redefine regulatory oversight in insurance marketing, particularly related to Medicare and associated health insurance products.

Summary

House Bill 5363 aims to mandate a study by the Insurance Commissioner regarding the marketing practices of third-party entities involved in Medicare and health insurance leads within the state. The intent of the bill is to understand how these entities generate revenue from referral fees, which in turn can impact the insurance market and consumer protections in the healthcare landscape. The study's findings are expected to contribute to legislative discussions on the regulation of such practices and compliance oversight.

Contention

A point of contention surrounding HB 5363 relates to the implications of the findings from the proposed study. Stakeholders in the healthcare insurance market may have differing views on the necessity of regulations affecting third-party marketers. Some may argue that increased oversight could lead to enhanced consumer protection, while others might perceive it as an unnecessary bureaucratic expansion that impedes their ability to market effectively. Furthermore, the interpretations of the study could lead to future legislative actions to alter existing laws or introduce new regulations, highlighting the need for careful vetting and stakeholder engagement in the process.