Introduced Version




SENATE BILL No. 253

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 27-1-3-30.

Synopsis: Insurance mandate review task force. Adds one member and provides for per diem payment and cost reimbursement for members of the task force to review mandated benefits and mandated benefit proposals. Specifies certain requirements for the task force.

Effective: July 1, 2005.



Ford


    January 6, 2005, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services.




Introduced

First Regular Session 114th General Assembly (2005)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
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SENATE BILL No. 253


    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning insurance.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 27-1-3-30; (05)IN0253.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 27-1-3-30 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 30. (a) As used in this section, "accident and sickness insurance policy" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-8-14.2-1.
    (b) As used in this section, "health maintenance organization" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-13-1-19.
    (c) As used in this section, "mandated benefit" means certain health coverage or an offering of certain health coverage that is required under:
        (1) an accident and sickness insurance policy; or
        (2) a contract with a health maintenance organization.
    (d) As used in this section, "mandated benefit proposal" means a bill or resolution pending before the general assembly that, if enacted, would require certain health coverage or an offering of certain health coverage under:
        (1) an accident and sickness insurance policy; or
        (2) a contract with a health maintenance organization.
    (e) The commissioner shall establish a task force to review mandated benefits and mandated benefit proposals.
    (f) The task force must consist of nine (9) ten (10) members appointed by the governor as follows:
        (1) Two (2) members representing the insurance industry.
        (2) Two (2) members representing consumers.
        (3) Two (2) members representing health care providers.
        (4) Two (2) members representing the business sector.
         (5) One (1) member who is an independent actuary.
        (5) (6) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee.
A registered lobbyist may not serve as a member of the task force.
    (g) Members of the task force shall serve on a voluntary basis without reimbursement.
     (g) Each member of the task force who is not a state employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
     (h) Each member of the task force who is a state employee is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
     (i) Each member of the task force shall attend at least fifty percent (50%) of scheduled meetings. A member who does not comply with this subsection is subject to replacement by the governor. A member may attend meetings via teleconference.
    (h) (j) The department shall provide administrative and actuarial support for the functions of the task force.
    (i) (k) Upon the:
        (1) request of a member of the general assembly; or
        (2) determination of the task force;
the task force shall review mandated benefits and assess the social, medical, and financial impacts of at least one (1) mandated benefit proposals as determined by the members of or one (1) mandated benefit proposal each year.
    (l) In assessing a mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal, and to the extent that information is available, the task

force shall consider:
        (1) social impacts, including:
            (A) the extent to which the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal is generally used by a significant part of the population;
            (B) the extent to which the health coverage is already generally available;
            (C) if the health coverage is not generally available, the extent to which the lack of health coverage results in unreasonable financial hardship;
            (D) the level of public demand for the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal;
            (E) the level of public demand for the health coverage; and
            (F) the extent to which the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal is covered under self-funded health coverage provided by Indiana employers that employ at least five hundred (500) employees;
        (2) medical impacts, including the extent to which the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal is generally:
            (A) recognized by the medical community as effective in patient treatment;
            (B) demonstrated by a review of scientific and peer review literature to be recognized by the medical community; and
            (C) available and used by treating physicians; and
        (3) financial impacts, including the:
            (A) extent to which the health coverage will increase or decrease the cost of the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal;
            (B) extent to which the health coverage will increase the appropriate use of the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal;
            (C) extent to which the service that is the subject of the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal will be a substitute for a more expensive service;
            (D) extent to which the health coverage will increase or decrease the:
                (i) administrative expenses of accident and sickness insurers and health maintenance organizations; and
                (ii) premium and administrative expenses of individuals

covered under accident and sickness insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts;
            (E) impact of the health coverage on the total cost of health care in Indiana, including any potential cost savings that may be realized through the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal;
            (F) impact of all mandated benefits on the ability of employers to purchase health coverage that meets employee needs;
            (G) extent to which the financial impact of all mandated benefits, including the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal under consideration, will affect employee wages and compensation; and
            (H) extent to which the financial impact of all mandated benefits, including the mandated benefit or mandated benefit proposal under consideration, will affect hiring practices of Indiana employers.
    (m) The task force shall annually determine the full cost of all existing mandated benefits in Indiana as a percentage of:
        (1) Indiana's average annual wage; and
        (2) health coverage premiums.
    (n) In making the annual determination under subsection (m), the task force shall consider the full cost of existing mandated benefits under:
        (1) a typical group and individual:
            (A) accident and sickness insurance policy; and
            (B) health maintenance organization contract;
        in Indiana; and
        (2) the state employee health plans provided for in IC 5-10-8-7(b) and IC 5-10-8-7(c).
    (o) The task force may contract for actuarial services and other professional services.
    (p) The task force and shall report the findings of the task force in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 to the legislative council not later than December 31 November 1 of each year.
    (j) (q) Any recommendations made by the task force must be approved by at least five (5) six (6) members of the task force.
    (k) (r) The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.
    (l) (s) Information that identifies a person and that is obtained by the task force under this section is confidential.