AMCNO board voices support for health insurance legislation

The AMCNO board has voiced support for two health care related bills currently under review in the Ohio House and Senate dealing with the problems physicians encounter with health insurance plans. The AMCNO plans to send letters of support to both bill sponsors along with comments regarding key points in the legislation. The bills would establish certain uniform contract provisions between health care providers and third-party payers, to establish standardized credentialing, and to require third-party payers to provide to health care providers specified information concerning enrollees. 

In sponsor testimony this week, Rep. Huffman, stated that the bill was designed to bring more balance, uniformity and clarity to Ohio's healthcare system, and it would serve to assist doctors and other healthcare professionals so that they could provide care for patients rather than deal with insurance company issues. He explained the bill deals with complex managed care contracts that must be updated on a regular basis; redundant annual credentialing processes; and the absence of comprehensive, real-time health insurance information on patients at the time services are provided. Further Rep. Huffman explained that some of the contracting provisions in the bill would help physicians deal with standardization, all products clauses, most favored payer clauses and a prohibition again "selling" or "renting" its provider network to third-party entities which can result in a provider unknowingly offering discounted fees to an entity where there is no signed contract. Last, he stated that insurers would be required to develop a web-based system providing enrollees' most current information needed to determine eligibility status, benefits and financial responsibility at the time of service.