This bill mandates that group insurance policies issued or renewed in the state must include coverage for services provided by licensed naturopathy providers. Specifically, it amends RSA 415:18-w to change the language from insurers "may" provide such coverage to "shall" provide coverage for health services performed by licensed doctors of naturopathic medicine, provided that the insurer would reimburse for similar services performed by other healthcare providers. Additionally, the bill stipulates that any coverage for naturopathy services cannot have higher co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance than those applied to similar benefits offered by the insurer.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and while it is expected to increase total claim expenditures due to the inclusion of more eligible providers, the exact financial impact on insurance premiums remains indeterminable. The Insurance Department notes that while there may be a slight increase in costs, health carriers retain the authority to set standards for medical necessity and credentialing, which may mitigate significant premium increases. The potential impact on counties and municipalities that purchase health insurance is also acknowledged, as they may experience increased premiums as a result of this legislation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 415:18-w
As Amended by the House: 415:18-w
Version adopted by both bodies: 415:18-w
SB550 text: 415:18-w