Requires health carriers to post information on their websites regarding their compliance with network adequacy standards adopted by the commissioner for each of their health plans in order to help consumers make educated purchasing decisions.
The information must be updated quarterly for at least two years after the applicable plan year.
This would take effect beginning with the 2020 plan year.
Amendments:
1st substitute:
- Removed the requirement that a health carrier post on its website the most recent geographic network maps and an estimate of the percentage of time enrollees are able to access covered services within the time limits required by the Insurance Commissioner (Commissioner);
- Requires a health carrier to include in its electronic provider directory a notation of any behavioral health provider whose practice is closed to new patients;
- Requires the Commissioner to annually publish a report on the number of consumer complaints per licensed health carrier that he or she received in the previous calendar year regarding consumers who were not able to access covered behavioral health services within the time limits specified by the Commissioner; and
- Requires a health carrier to prominently post on its website:
- The number of business days within which an enrollee must have access to covered behavioral health services under network access standards adopted by the Commissioner;
- Information on actions an enrollee may take if he or she is unable to access covered behavioral health services within the requisite number of business days, including any tools or resources the carrier makes available to enrollees to assist them in finding available providers and how to file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner;
- Any instances where the Commissioner has taken disciplinary action against the health carrier for failing to comply with network access standards for covered behavioral health services;
- A link to the Commissioner’s report on consumer complaints regarding network access to covered behavioral health services; and
Resources for persons who are experiencing a mental health crisis, including information on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
