The Fair Access to Health Care Networks Act aims to enhance patient access to health care services in New Jersey by mandating that health insurance carriers accept all state-licensed health care facilities and provider entities into their networks upon application, provided they are in good standing. The bill defines "carrier" to include various types of health insurance providers and establishes a comprehensive list of facilities and entities that must be included, such as adult medical day care centers, ambulatory surgical centers, and private practice offices. Carriers are required to respond to applications within 90 days and must reimburse network providers at a minimum of 200% of the applicable Medicare reimbursement rate, unless a different rate is agreed upon.

Additionally, the bill prohibits carriers from excluding providers based on ownership structure, size, or affiliation with hospital systems, thereby promoting equity and competition in the health care market. The Department of Banking and Insurance will oversee compliance, with a budget of $2 million allocated for enforcement. Violations of the act may result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per incident, and affected providers have the right to appeal exclusion decisions through an expedited hearing process. This legislation is designed to improve patient choice and access to local care while ensuring fair treatment for smaller, cost-effective health care providers.