The Kansas House of Representatives has been actively considering several bills that could have significant impacts on consumer protection, insurance regulations, and healthcare policies. Below is a summary of key sponsored bills currently in the House and under review by the Insurance Committee.
Sponsored Bills in the House
HB2246 – Enacting the Consumer Protection Related to Hospital Price Transparency Act
This bill aims to improve transparency in hospital pricing, ensuring consumers have access to clear and accurate pricing information for medical services.
HB2047 – Establishing an Online Insurance Verification System
This legislation seeks to create an online system for verifying motor vehicle liability insurance, streamlining the process and reducing instances of uninsured drivers.
HB2046 – Authorizing Certain Travel Insurance Policies
This bill allows insurers to file specific travel insurance policies under the accident and health line of insurance, ensuring better categorization and regulation.
Bills Under Review in the House Insurance Committee
HB2128 – Updating Insurance Regulatory Practices
This bill provides the Commissioner of Insurance with the authority to select and announce versions of regulatory instructions, calculations, and documents. It also aligns Kansas insurance regulations with National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provisions related to group capital calculations and liquidity stress testing.
HB2199 – Coverage for Infant Allergen Introduction Supplements
This legislation would allow the Kansas State Employees Health Care Commission to provide insurance coverage for specific dietary supplements for infants and require a legislative impact report if coverage is approved.
HB2244 – Changes to the Kansas Board of Pharmacy & Telepharmacy Regulations
This bill modifies the composition of the Board of Pharmacy and prevents it from limiting or conditioning the use of telepharmacy.
HB2245 – Restructuring the State Health Care Benefits Program
This bill transfers oversight of the state health care benefits program to the Insurance Department, making the Commissioner of Insurance the chairperson of the Kansas State Employees Health Care Commission and eliminating a pilot program regarding employer contributions for certain children.
HB2246 – Consumer Protection and Hospital Price Transparency
(Also listed as a sponsored bill) This bill seeks to ensure patients receive clear and detailed hospital pricing information to make informed healthcare decisions.
HB2247 – Prohibiting Certain Health Insurer-Dentist Contract Terms
This bill restricts certain contract provisions between health insurers and dentists and mandates that healthcare provider reviews, audits, or investigations be completed within six months.
HB2286 – Alternative Payment Methods for Dental Providers
This legislation ensures that dental providers’ selection of alternative payment methods remains valid for the duration of their contract with a dental benefit plan.
HB2296 – No-Cost Sharing for Breast Cancer Examinations
This bill mandates that specific health insurance plans cover diagnostic or supplemental breast cancer examinations without requiring cost-sharing from the insured.
HB2333 – Renaming and Restructuring the Kansas Insurance Department
This bill proposes renaming the Kansas Insurance Department to the Kansas Department of Insurance and restructuring roles within the department. It also eliminates the requirement for Senate confirmation of the Assistant Commissioner of the Securities Division.
HB2334 – Updating the Captive Insurance Act
This legislation updates terms, conditions, and definitions within the Captive Insurance Act and provides for provisional certificates of authority, incorporated cell insurance companies, and protected cell captive insurance companies.
HB2335 – Expanding Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability
This bill adds maternity centers to the definition of healthcare providers under the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act.
What These Bills Mean for You
The proposed bills cover a broad range of topics, from improving transparency in healthcare pricing to modernizing insurance verification processes. Some of these measures, such as HB2246 on hospital price transparency and HB2296 on breast cancer screening cost-sharing, could have direct benefits for consumers by making essential services more accessible and affordable.
Stay tuned for further updates as these bills move through the legislative process. For more details on each bill or how they may affect your business or personal interests, feel free to reach out to TIBA for insights and advocacy opportunities.