This bill establishes an Uncompensated Health Care Fund within the state treasury to support non-profit safety-net health care providers delivering medically necessary services to uninsured individuals. The fund will be financed through a surcharge on licensed health insurance carriers, reinsurers, and certain self-insured health plans in New Hampshire, with the stipulation that these costs cannot be passed on to consumers or included in premium costs. The bill also creates an advisory committee to recommend criteria for determining the annual level of uncompensated care to be funded and to assist in the allocation of funds to qualified providers. Key provisions include the establishment of a nonlapsing fund appropriated to the insurance department, a requirement for eligible providers to apply for funds, and a mechanism to reduce subsequent year's assessments based on unspent funds.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions defining "uncompensated care" as medically necessary care for uninsured individuals ineligible for government programs. Concerns have been raised regarding the ambiguous definition, which may disincentivize insurance coverage and increase the financial burden on health insurers. The bill also prohibits payors from passing assessment costs onto consumers, potentially impacting profit margins and leading to health insurers exiting the New Hampshire market. The Insurance Department anticipates needing to hire additional staff to implement the bill, resulting in increased expenditures over the next few fiscal years. Overall, the bill presents significant financial and administrative challenges, with potential implications for the state's tax base and health insurance market.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 404-G:1, 404-G:2, 6:12