The proposed bill, titled the "Alaska Health Care Consumer's Right to Shop Act," aims to establish a health care insurance policy incentive program in Alaska. It amends existing laws to require health care insurers to provide comprehensive price comparison tools for consumers, enabling them to compare cost-sharing amounts for specific health care services across different providers. Additionally, the bill introduces a monetary incentive program that encourages covered individuals to choose lower-cost providers by offering them a percentage of the savings realized by the insurer when a service is obtained at a rate below the median contracted rate. The bill specifies different incentive percentages based on whether the coverage is through a group or individual policy.

Key amendments include the insertion of provisions that allow for the development of an incentive program under AS 21.96.220, which mandates that health care insurers provide incentives to covered persons for selecting cost-effective health care services. The bill also outlines requirements for insurers to file descriptions of their incentive programs with the director of the division of insurance and mandates annual reporting on the program's usage and effectiveness. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with certain regulations becoming effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
SB0004A, AM SB 4, introduced 01/10/2025: 21.06.110, 21.39.120, 21.36.495, 21.96.070, 21.96.260, 21.36.100, 21.96.220, 21.96.230, 21.96.240, 21.96.210, 21.96.300, 21.96.250, 21.96.270, 21.54.160, 21.12.050, 21.54.500, 18.23.400, 21.97.900, 29.10.200, 29.35.142, 39.30.090, 39.30.091
SB0004B, AM CSSB 4(L&C), introduced 04/11/2025: 21.36.100, 21.96.220, 21.96.230, 21.96.240, 21.96.210, 21.96.300, 21.96.250, 21.96.260, 21.96.270, 21.54.160, 21.12.050, 21.54.500, 18.23.400, 21.97.900