This bill addresses provider directories and timely access to behavioral health services.
This bill:
- requires covered insurers to:
assist enrollees in accessing behavioral health services in a timely manner; facilitate an insured obtaining behavioral health services from an out-of-network provider if an in-network provider is not available in a timely manner; publish health care provider directories; regularly update health care provider directories; andtake certain steps to ensure the accuracy of provider directories;
- authorizes Utah's insurance commissioner (commissioner) to make rules to implement certain provisions of this bill;
- requires providers to respond to an insurer's request for verification of provider directory information within a certain period of time;
- requires insurers and the commissioner to issue an educational letter to a provider that demonstrates a pattern of violations of certain provisions;
- requires the Division of Professional Licensing to convene a working group to study the feasibility and cost of creating and maintaining a statewide behavioral health provider directory (working group) and report to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee;
- provides a repeal date for the working group; and
- defines terms.
Recommended by: Health and Human Services Interim CommitteeStatutes affected:
Introduced: 58-1-501, 58-1-502
Substitute #1: 63I-2-258
Substitute #2: 63I-2-258
Substitute #3: 63I-2-258
Enrolled: 63I-2-258
Substitute #4: 63I-2-258