New Jersey Assembly Bill A4670

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/29/22
• Refer: 9/29/22

Caption

Requires certain information to be included in SHBP claims experience data provided to certain public employers.

Impact

The introduction of A4670 is expected to have significant implications for state law and public employment. By requiring more frequent disclosure of claims experience data, the bill seeks to empower public employers with better insights into healthcare costs and utilization patterns, which can lead to improved decision-making regarding health benefits. Moreover, the accessibility of this data to employee representatives enables a more collaborative approach to negotiating health benefits, potentially leading to better outcomes for employees.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4670, known as the Public Health Transparency Act, mandates the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to provide comprehensive claims experience data to participating public employers annually, rather than every 24 months as previously required. This bill aims to enhance transparency regarding health benefits and related costs for public employers in New Jersey. Notably, it allows the majority representatives of employees within these public employers to request this information, ensuring that employees have access to vital data that can inform both their healthcare provisions and negotiations for benefits.

Contention

Despite its intentions for increased transparency and employee representation, A4670 may face opposition from those concerned about privacy and the potential misuse of the data provided. The bill includes provisions ensuring that all information released complies with the HIPAA privacy regulations, but critics might argue that even with these protections, sensitive health information could still be at risk. Additionally, there may be debate over the frequency of data requests and whether such transparency is necessary or beneficial to all stakeholders involved.