Baldwin Medical Bill Passes Senate
A bill authored by State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) that would protect patients by mitigating delayed care and allowing doctors to make medical decisions instead of insurance companies passed the Senate yesterday with bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 189 would prohibit insurance carriers from imposing administrative fees on health providers who provide care involving an out-of-network provider. If an insurance carrier charged a fee, the violation would be treated as an unfair and deceptive act and would be subject to penalties and procedures outlined in Indiana Code.
“Senate Bill 189 is an opportunity to uphold the values of the free market and strengthen competition in Indiana’s health care markets,” Baldwin said. “By preventing health insurance companies from overusing their power and pushing health care providers toward particular health insurance carriers, Hoosiers can get the care they need in a timely manner.”
When hospitals are faced with financial penalties from insurance companies, they are incentivized to scramble to find in-network care or postpone care until someone in-network is available. By removing the financial pressure from insurers, health care employers and firms would be allowed to staff cases based on availability, patient need and clinician expertise – not network status.
SB 189 would also protect hospitals from being punished for unavoidable out-of-network clinician participation, and clinicians would be protected from being forced into network relationships with insurance carriers which would help promote healthy competition in health care.
“In 2021, the federal government passed the No Surprises Act, which established the lawful way to resolve payment disputes as arbitration through an Independent Dispute Resolution,” Baldwin said. “Senate Bill 189 would uphold the intent of the bipartisan federal legislation by preventing insurance carriers from sidestepping federal regulations.”
SB 189 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Baldwin represents Senate District 20, which includes Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero and unincorporated areas of Hamilton County.
