HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 120
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Eldridge, Lawrence, Marshall,
Perry, Poling, Rodigherio, Spencer, Susman, Border, C. Miller,
J. Miller and Rowan
)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources;
Reported March 10, 2010.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
to
conduct a study on reimbursement for medical services by
preferred provider organizations.
WHEREAS, Health care in West Virginia has, as one form of
payment to medical providers, managed care health insurance systems
known as preferred provider organizations or networks (PPO); and
WHEREAS, Many patients are members of PPO but prefer to
utilize the services of a medical provider who may not be
contracted to that PPO and those providers are prevented from
receiving adequate or in some cases any reimbursement from the PPO
for medical services provided to those patients; and
WHEREAS, there have been numerous requests for relief from the
necessity of medical providers to contract with PPO in order to
receive adequate reimbursements for patients who are members of
such organizations; and
WHEREAS, The issue of adequate reimbursement for West
Virginia's medical providers is an important part of assuring adequate access to health care services for the people of the
state; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the issue of reimbursement to medical providers
by preferred provider organizations in this state and determine if
legislative action is needed to increase access to health care in
the state by regulating such reimbursement; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.