HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 62 - This act modifies provisions relating to health care providers.MEDICAL RECORDS (SECTION 191.227)
Current law allows a health care provider to condition the furnishing of medical records on the payment of a fee to cover costs of copying, postage and notary services. This act provides that the copying amount shall not exceed $21.36 plus 50 cents for supplies and labor per page plus, if the health care provider has contracted for off-site records storage and management, any additional labor costs of outside storage retrieval, not to exceed $20, as adjusted annually per the Consumer Price Index.
In instances where the health care provider stores records in an electronic or digital format, and provides the requested records, including any requested affidavits, in an electronic or digital format, the maximum copying amount shall not exceed $5 plus 50 cents per page, or $25 total, whichever is less.
This provision is identical to provisions contained in HCS/SCS/SB 177 (2011), HCS/HB 579 (2011), HCS/HB 669 (2011).
PROVIDER TAXES (SECTIONS 190.839, 198.439, 208.437, 208.480, 338.550, 633.401)
This act extends the sunsets from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2015, for the Ground Ambulance, Nursing Facility, Medicaid Managed Care Organization, Hospital reimbursement allowance, Pharmacy, and Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded Reimbursement Allowance Taxes.
The provider tax provisions are substantially similar to SB 322 (2011), HCS/HB 236 (2011) and to provisions contained in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 697 (2011).
HEALTH CARE TRANSPARENCY (SECTION 376.1190)
Beginning January 1, 2014, health insurance carriers shall allow a policyholder, upon request, to learn the amount of cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, under the policyholder's plan or coverage that the individual would be responsible for paying as to to the furnishing of a specific item or service. Such information shall be delivered to the policyholder in a timely manner and at a minimum shall be made available through an internet website or other means for individuals without access to the internet. This provision does not apply to certain supplemental policies.
Any health care benefit proposed by the General Assembly after August 28, 2011, shall be subject to an actuarial analysis by the Oversight Division of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research to determine the cost impact on private and public payers. The division shall make a recommendation to the General Assembly on the enactment of the health care benefit mandate proposed.
The provisions regarding health care transparency and the annual review by the Oversight Division shall become effective January 1, 2014.
This act contains a nonseverability clause (SECTION 1).
ADRIANE CROUSE