INSURANCE-PROVIDER PANELS

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Sets forth requirements for carriers that offer a provider panel. Requires notice of the development of a provider panel to be filed with Department of Public Health prior to establishment. Provides that a carrier that uses a provider panel shall establish procedure for notifying an enrollee of the termination of a health care provider. Sets forth provisions permitting, under certain circumstances, a health care provider to continue to render health care services following termination from the carrier's provider panel. Requires a carrier to provide a list of members in the carrier's provider panel. Establishes notice requirements for benefit reductions and termination of health care providers from the carrier's provider panel. Requires any carrier requiring preauthorization for medical treatment to have personnel available to provide preauthorization at all times when the preauthorization is required. Provides that no contract between a health care provider and a carrier shall include provisions that require a health care provider to deny covered services that the provider knows to be medically necessary and appropriate that are provided with respect to a specific enrollee or group of enrollees with similar medical conditions. Sets forth prohibited provisions in a contract between a carrier and a health care provider. Defines terms. Makes other and conforming changes.

• Kevin John OlickalD
• Norma HernandezD