House passes out‑of‑network notice bill after heated debate over doctor liability
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Summary
CS for HB 1101, addressing out‑of‑network provider notice requirements and credits, passed the House after floor debate on whether the measure improperly places burdens on physicians to track insurers' network status; amendments added a good‑cause exemption and required insured patients to request a credit
The House passed CS for HB 1101 as amended after debate focused on who should carry responsibility for notifying patients about out‑of‑network status and related costs.
Representative Albert, sponsor on the floor, said he intended to adopt a Senate version of the measure but instead retained the House content with a good‑cause exemption for practitioner notice and a requirement that an insured person request any credit required by the bill. Critics on the floor argued repeatedly that doctors are poorly positioned to track insurers' in‑network status and that shifting liability or administrative responsibilities to clinicians could worsen provider shortages and distract physicians from clinical care. Representative Joseph warned of workforce shortages and urged that the “onus should be best placed on the insurance company with the patient.”
Representative Albert told the House that good‑cause determinations for practitioner notices would be handled by the relevant boards and the Department of Health, and that complaints could be raised with the medical board. After debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendment as amended and passed the bill 87–27 on final passage.