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Introduced Version House Bill 2400 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted


H. B. 2400


(By Delegates R. M. Thompson, Campbell,

Pethtel,

Williams, Stemple, Hall and Azinger)

[Introduced February 21, 2001; referred to the

Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.]




A BILL to amend chapter thirty-three of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated article fifteen-d, relating to improving health care delivery and access to health care.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That chapter thirty-three of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated article fifteen-d, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 15D. PATIENT ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE ACT.

§33-15D-1. Policy provisions.

The Legislature finds that, with the recent development of organized managed care in this state, citizens have had their
choice of health care providers substantially reduced, and that critical health care providers in rural areas of the state are in jeopardy. The Legislature further finds that the health and welfare of the citizens of West Virginia would be improved by a strong health care delivery system throughout the state and by patient access to quality health care, enhance the continuity of patient care, discourage the replacement of experienced providers with newer providers, and preserve and strengthen the rural health care delivery system.
§33-15D-2. Scope of article.

The provisions of this article apply to all insurers writing or issuing accident and sickness policies covered by this chapter, including hospital service corporations, health service corporations, medical service corporations, dental service corporations, third party payers and all state agencies and departments including, but not limited to, the public employees insurance agency, workers' compensation insurance and providers of services under medicare and medicaid.

(a) One or more insurers may offer or administer a health benefit program under which the insurer or insurers may offer preferred provider policies or contracts that limit the numbers and
types of providers of health care services eligible for payment as preferred providers.
(b) Any insurer shall establish terms and conditions that must be met by a hospital, physician or other health care provider in order to qualify for payment as a preferred provider under the policies or contracts. These terms and conditions may not discriminate unreasonably against or among providers. No hospital, physician or other health care provider willing to meet the terms and conditions offered to it, him or her may be excluded.




NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to lay the foundation for a strong health care delivery system in all parts of the state.

This article is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.
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