Insurance and Real Estate Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6389
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING EXPLANATIONS OF BENEFITS.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/9/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. Kate Farrar, 20th Dist.
Rep. Lucy Dathan, 142nd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
The proposed bill requires transparency among health insurance providers in the explanation
of benefits, coverage exclusions, copays. The bill allows individuals to request and be
granted the omission of explanations of benefits with no questions. The proposed bill helps
correct an issue with the unintended consequences of the law that can accidentally expose
dependents private health information to their health insurance policyholders. This can be
revealed through EOBs (explanation of benefits) which come through the mail or email.
EOBs reveal private information about what services were provided, who provided them, a
brief procedural code, or other abbreviated descriptions of procedures. This bill makes it easy
for individuals to request and be granted with no questions asked or statements needed that
the EOB excludes procedural information or be sent to a different address. This bill ensures
that dependents of health insurance policyholders are put in control of who can see their
private health information. It also ensures that policyholders can anticipate copays and
medical expenses are clearly established by health insurance companies.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Ted Doolittle, Healthcare Advocate, Office of the Healthcare Advocate: testified this bill
gives dependents who are covered members under anothers health insurance policy more
security and privacy in obtaining healthcare services that could be of highly sensitive
information. Testifies that this bill will safeguard dependents personal health information.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Kathleen Flaherty, Executive Director, CT Legal Rights Project: stated the privacy it
would ensure young adults who may want to access mental health care without fear of
exposure to family members.
Ashely Frechette, Director of Coalition Against Domestic Violence: expressed the bill is
for its addressment of the barriers for health care access for domestic violence survivors.
One in four women, and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence by an
intimate partner at some point in their lives, which leads to notable health consequences that
require treatment (traumatic brain injury, depression, pregnancy complications). Survivors are
4x more likely to utilize domestic violence services after speaking with a healthcare provider.
This bill ensures domestic violence survivors are able to access treatment without fear of
their potential abuser finding out.
Representative Jill Gilchrest, CT House of Representatives, 18th Assembly District: the
bill will promote transparency and ensures privacy. Transparency will help protect people
from surprise health insurance fees. Supports because privacy will be ensured in this bill
because the suppression of an EOB can be requested and granted.
Liz Gustafson, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut: stated this bill will ensure
privacy in individuals seeking care related to sexual and reproductive health, domestic
violence, sexual assault, and mental health, without fear of their medical information being
disclosed to family members. Testifies to the success of the PATCH Act which was signed
into place in 2018 in Massachusetts the with the same premise.
Amanda Kallen, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Connecticut
Chapter (CT ACOG): expressed this bill will address the timely confidential care and
coverage. Testifies in support of HB 6389 ensuring patients feel comfortable obtaining
reproductive health services.
Polly Moran, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Legislative Liaison of the CT-Affiliate of
American College of Nurse-Midwives: feels this bill will protect Connecticut residents of
any age who are in violent domestic situations and need to seek medical services while
ensuring privacy. Moran has been a Nurse-Midwife for over 30 years in CT and wants HIPPA
to be in full compliance in CT.
Lucy Nolan, Directory of Policy and Public Relations, CT Alliance to End Sexual
Violence: stated this bill protects sexual assault survivors from disclosure of medical records.
She gives an example of a sexual assault victim who did not receive a rape kit or a
prescription for HIV prophylactics because she feared her father would find out through the
insurance. 69% of assaults occur between the ages of 12-34 and many individuals are on
their parents health insurance until the age of 26. HB 6398 passage will help victims access
necessary medical treatment after sexual assault.
Gretchen Raffa, Senior Director of Public Policy, Advocacy & Organizing, Planned
Parenthood of Southern New England: expressed this bill will ensure confidentiality in
reproductive health when there are multiple people on an insurance plan.
Nicole Sanclemente, Policy and Program Associate, Connecticut Womens Education
and Legal Fund: stated its protection of the privacy of survivors of domestic violence, young
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adults who are dependents on their parents plans, and minors independently accessing
certain confidential health care services. CWEALF provides access to low-income women
who often experience domestic or family violence and see confidentially as a barrier to those
seeking treatment.
Jay E. Sicklick, Deputy Director, Center for Children Advocacy: expressed that this bill
will ensure privacy in healthcare services for vulnerable youth. It also allows youth to access
certain areas of reproductive health in a safe and confidential manner, who may not feel
comfortable accessing it without confidentiality. HB 6389 will follow in line with the spirit and
purpose of HIPAA.
Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut: the bill is protection for anyone who
wants information about their medical care private. Testified that they would like the word
consumer in the legislation changed to enrollee to make it clearer that each individual
enrollee is entitled to protect their privacy in medical care.
Susan Yolen, New Haven Resident: the bill is a protection of privacy about medical
information especially for young adolescents. She suggests the addition of language allotting
state funds for training health providers and administrative staff to offer the option of a
redirected EOB to any patient.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Expressed
Reported by: Leslie Angus Date: April 7, 2021
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Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
INS Joint Favorable:
File No. 382:
File No. 633:
Public Act No. 21-22: