Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin
Nathan Houdek, Commissioner of Insurance
125 South Webster Street, P.O. Box 7873 | Madison, WI 53707- 7873
p: 608- 266-3585 | p: 1 -800-236-8517 | f: 608 -266-9935
ociinformation@wisconsin.gov | oci.wi.gov
June 12, 2023
Mr. Michael J. Queensland
Senate Chief Clerk
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Mr. Ted Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street
Room 401
Madison, WI 53703
Re: Social and Financial Impact Report—2023 Assembly Bill 311—relating to athletic training and
coverage of the services of athletic trainers under health insurance policies and plans.
Dear Chief Clerks Queensland and Blazel:
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 601.423, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) is submitting a social
and financial impact report on 2023 Assembly Bill 311, relating to athletic training and coverage of the
services of athletic trainers under health insurance policies and plans.
Coverage of Athletic Trainers
OCI has determined that 2023 Assembly Bill 311 requires a social and financial impact report for the
following reasons:
1.Permit a person insured under the policy, plan or contract to obtain treatment or services from a
particular type of health care provider, including, but not limited to, requiring a health maintenance
organization, preferred provider plan, limited service health organization or other plan to select a
particular type of health care provider for participation in the plan.
Social Impact
OCI has reviewed the provisions contained in 2023 Assembly Bill 311, in particular sections 2 and 3
amending and creating Wis. Stat. § 632.87 (4s) (b), that requires no health insurance policy, plan, or
contract may exclude or refuse to provide coverage for services provided by an athletic trainer within the
scope of the athletic trainer's license if the policy, plan, or contract covers those services when provided
by another health care provider.
OCI is unable to determine if these proposals could impact access or affordability.
OCI is unable to definitively determine how many consumers would benefit from the proposed mandated
coverage. Further, the availability of insurance coverage for consumers without this health insurance
provisions is indeterminate.
Financial Impact
OCI is unable to determine to what extent, if any, the newly proposed health insurance bill will have a
financial impact on insurers. However, OCI is unable to determine whether the newly proposed and
LRB-2096/1
amended coverage of athletic trainers would result in an increase in the use of services or if those services
would be lower cost than other services already covered under a policy. Therefore, OCI cannot determine
whether or not there would be an additional cost for the proposed additions and modifications .
OCI is unable to determine the extent to which this additional requirement could increase administrative
and claims costs or how the proposed requirements on insurers may impact premium costs to consumers
and employers.
Please contact Sarah Smith at (608) 209-6309 or Sarah.Smith2@wisconsin.gov if you have any questions.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathan Houdek
Commissioner
Cc: The Honorable Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin