Prohibits payment of more than one copayment, coinsurance or deductible for series of vaccinations used in preventive treatment of rabies under certain health benefits plans.
Impact
The enactment of A1010 will modify existing provisions under the Health Care Quality Act, effectively protecting patients from excessive fees forced upon them during critical treatment for rabies prevention. This could significantly enhance access to timely vaccinations, especially for vulnerable populations who may otherwise forgo necessary healthcare due to financial considerations. It aims to ensure that individuals are not deterred from seeking needed medical treatment—an essential factor in managing public health concerning rabies exposure.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1010 proposes to alleviate the financial burden associated with rabies vaccinations by limiting the number of copayments that patients are required to pay. Specifically, the bill mandates that any person receiving a series of vaccinations to prevent rabies will only be responsible for a single copayment, coinsurance, or deductible for the entire treatment series within a 180-day period. This is in response to existing protocols, which often necessitate multiple emergency room visits for vaccine administration, each incurring its own copayment, making treatment prohibitively expensive for many individuals.
Contention
Notably, discussions around A1010 might reveal tensions between healthcare providers and insurance companies regarding reimbursement models. Providers might worry about sustained revenue from emergency services, while insurers may need to adjust their policies to accommodate this new structure. While the potential for improved public health is clear, stakeholders will likely debate the implications on both healthcare costs and quality—it will be crucial to monitor whether this bill will lead healthcare providers to prioritize rabies vaccination administration despite new constraints on copayment collections.
Carry Over
Prohibits payment of more than one copayment, coinsurance or deductible for series of vaccinations used in preventive treatment of rabies under certain health benefits plans.
Prohibits payment of more than one copayment, coinsurance or deductible for series of vaccinations used in preventive treatment of rabies under certain health benefits plans.
Requires third-party discounts and payments for individuals covered by health benefits plans to apply to copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits.
Requires third-party discounts and payments for individuals covered by health benefits plans to apply to copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits.
Relating to certain prohibited practices concerning the payment of copayments and deductibles under health benefit plans; providing a civil penalty and for injunctive relief.
A bill for an act establishing a veterans recovery pilot program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans.(See HF 574.)