SCS/HB 1377 - This act would allow individual physicians to be designated as "Essential Community Providers" to serve medically underserved areas or in health professional shortage areas as designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

An "essential community provider" would be required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week in the health professional shortage area and be available to patients evenings and weekends. They must have hospital staff privileges or be affiliated with other physicians who have such privileges. An "essential community provider" cannot be a direct employee of a health care insurer.

Health care insurers which market group policies or contracts for health care coverage are required to offer it to all "essential community providers" in the service areas of the plan that are shortage areas. Names of each "essential community provider" shall appear in publications distributed to consumers or enrollees of the health care plan.

Health care insurers may terminate the contract of an "essential community provider" for cause and the title "essential community provider" can't be transferred to another physician or site. Physicians may apply to the Director of the Department of Health to be named an "essential community provider".
JON HAGLER