HOUSE BILL NO. 5533
February 20, 2020, Introduced by Rep. Reilly
and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
A bill to amend 1980 PA 350, entitled
"The nonprofit health care corporation reform act,"
by amending sections 401, 414a, 417, and 502 (MCL 550.1401, 550.1414a, 550.1417, and 550.1502), section 401 as amended by 2003 PA 59, section 414a as amended by 1988 PA 345, section 417 as amended by 1994 PA 235, and section 502 as amended by 2014 PA 261.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 401. (1) A health care corporation established, maintained, or operating in this state shall offer health care benefits to all residents of this state, and may offer other health care benefits as the corporation specifies with the approval of the commissioner.
(2) A health care corporation may limit the health care benefits that it will furnish, except as provided in this act, and may divide the health care benefits that it elects to furnish into classes or kinds.
(3) A health care corporation shall not do any of the following:
(a) Refuse to issue or continue a certificate to 1 or more residents of this state, except while the individual, based on a transaction or occurrence involving a health care corporation, is serving a sentence arising out of a charge of fraud, is satisfying a civil judgment, or is making restitution pursuant to a voluntary payment agreement between the corporation and the individual.
(b) Refuse to continue in effect a certificate with 1 or more residents of this state, other than for failure to pay amounts due for a certificate, except as allowed for refusal to issue a certificate under subdivision (a).
(c) Limit the coverage available under a certificate, without the prior approval of the commissioner, unless the limitation is as a result of : an agreement with the person paying for the coverage, ; an agreement with the individual designated by the persons paying for or contracting for the coverage, ; or a collective bargaining agreement.
(d) Rate, cancel benefits on, refuse to provide benefits for, or refuse to issue or continue a certificate solely because a subscriber or applicant is or has been a victim of domestic violence. A health care corporation shall is not be held civilly liable for any cause of action that may result from compliance with this subdivision. This subdivision applies to all health care corporation certificates issued or renewed on or after June 1, 1998. As used in this subdivision, "domestic violence" means inflicting bodily injury, causing serious emotional injury or psychological trauma, or placing in fear of imminent physical harm by threat or force a person an individual who is a spouse or former spouse of, has or has had a dating relationship with, resides or has resided with, or has a child in common with the person committing the violence.
(e) Require a member or his or her dependent or an applicant for coverage or his or her dependent to do either of the following:
(i) Undergo genetic testing before issuing, renewing, or continuing a health care corporation certificate.
(ii) Disclose whether genetic testing has been conducted or the results of genetic testing or genetic information.
(4) Subsection (3) does not prevent a health care corporation from denying to a resident of this state coverage under a certificate for any of the following grounds:
(a) That the individual was not a member of a group that had contracted for coverage under this certificate.
(b) That the individual is not a member of a group with a size greater than a minimum size established for a certificate pursuant to sound underwriting requirements.
(c) That the individual does not meet requirements for coverage contained in a certificate.
(d) For groups of under 100 subscribers and except as otherwise provided in section 3709 of the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.3709, that the group that the individual is a member of has failed to enroll enough of its eligible members with the health care corporation. A denial under this subdivision shall must be made only if the health care corporation determines that the cost for the portion of the group applying for coverage would be at least 50% more on a per subscriber basis than the per subscriber cost for the whole group. A denial under this subdivision shall must not be based on the health status of any individual in the group or his or her dependent. A denial under this subdivision shall must be based on sound actuarial principles and may be based on 1 or more of the following:
(i) That the contract holder for the group applying for coverage is also offering a self-funded health benefit plan.
(ii) That the group applying for coverage is composed entirely of the contract holder's retiree business segment.
(iii) That the average individual age of the members of the group applying for coverage is either 50% higher or 10 years higher than the average individual age for the whole group.
(5) A certificate may provide for the coordination of benefits, subrogation, and the nonduplication of benefits. Savings realized by the coordination of benefits, subrogation, and nonduplication of benefits shall must be reflected in the rates for those certificates. If a group certificate issued by the corporation contains a coordination of benefits provision, the benefits shall must be payable pursuant to the coordination of benefits act, 1984 PA 64, MCL 550.251 to 550.255.550.254.
(6) A health care corporation shall have has the right to status as a party in interest, whether by intervention or otherwise, in any judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative agency proceeding in this state for the purpose of enforcing any rights it may have for reimbursement of payments made or advanced for health care services on behalf of 1 or more of its subscribers or members.
(7) A health care corporation shall not directly reimburse a provider in this state who has not entered into a participating contract with the corporation.
(8) A health care corporation shall not limit or deny coverage to a subscriber or limit or deny reimbursement to a provider on the ground that services were rendered while the subscriber was in a health care facility operated by this state or a political subdivision of this state. A health care corporation shall not limit or deny participation status to a health care facility on the ground that the health care facility is operated by this state or a political subdivision of this state, if the facility meets the standards set by the corporation for all other facilities of that type, government-operated or otherwise. To qualify for participation and reimbursement, a facility shall, at a minimum, meet all of the following requirements, which shall apply to all similar facilities:
(a) Be accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals.Joint Commission, formerly known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
(b) Meet the certification standards of the medicare Medicare program and the medicaid Medicaid program.
(c) Meet all statutory requirements for certificate of need.
(c) (d) Follow generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
(d) (e) Have a community advisory board.
(e) (f) Have a program of utilization and peer review to assure that patient care is appropriate and at an acute level.
(f) (g) Designate that portion of the facility that is to be used for acute care.
(9) Not later than the close of business on the seventh business day after denying coverage under subsection (4)(d), the health care corporation shall notify the commissioner of this denial and shall supply the commissioner with the information used in determining the denial. The commissioner shall determine whether he or she will approve or disapprove approves the health care corporation denial not later than the close of business on the seventh business day after receipt of the notice and shall promptly notify the health care corporation of his or her determination. The commissioner shall base his or her determination under this subsection on whether the health care corporation met the standards in subsection (4)(d). The health care corporation or the denied contract holder may appeal the commissioner's decision in circuit court. The commissioner shall report to the senate and house of representatives standing committees on insurance issues by May 15, 2005 and biennially thereafter all of the following:
(a) The number of denials made each calendar year by a health care corporation under subsection (4)(d).
(b) The number of denials under subdivision (a) that were approved by the commissioner under this subsection and a summary of the type of group approved.
(c) The number of denials under subdivision (a) that were disapproved by the commissioner under this subsection and a summary of the type of group disapproved.
(d) The number of decisions by the commissioner under this subsection that have been appealed and the results of the appeals.
(10) As used in this section:
(a) "Clinical purposes" includes all of the following:
(i) Predicted risk of diseases.
(ii) Identifying carriers for single-gene disorders.
(iii) Establishing prenatal and clinical diagnosis or prognosis.
(iv) Prenatal, newborn, and other carrier screening, as well as testing in high-risk families.
(v) Tests for metabolites if undertaken with high probability that an excess or deficiency of the metabolite indicates or suggests the presence of heritable mutations in single genes.
(vi) Other tests if their intended purpose is diagnosis of a presymptomatic genetic condition.
(b) "Genetic information" means information about a gene, gene product, or inherited characteristic derived from a genetic test.
(c) "Genetic test" means the analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, and those proteins and metabolites used to detect heritable or somatic disease-related genotypes or karyotypes for clinical purposes. A genetic test must be generally accepted in the scientific and medical communities as being specifically determinative for the presence, absence, or mutation of a gene or chromosome in order to qualify under this definition. Genetic test does not include a routine physical examination or a routine analysis, including, but not limited to, a chemical analysis, of body fluids, unless conducted specifically to determine the presence, absence, or mutation of a gene or chromosome.
Sec. 414a. (1) A health care corporation shall offer benefits for the inpatient treatment of substance abuse by a licensed allopathic physician or a licensed osteopathic physician in a health care facility operated by this state or approved by the department of public health and human services for the hospitalization for, or treatment of, substance abuse.
(2) Subject to subsections (3), (5), and (7), (6), a health care corporation may enter into contracts contract with providers for the rendering of inpatient substance abuse treatment by those providers.
(3) A contracting provider rendering inpatient substance abuse treatment for patients other than adolescent patients shall must be a licensed hospital or a substance abuse service use disorder services program licensed under article 6 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, being sections 333.6101 to 333.6523 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.6230 to 333.6251, and shall meet the standards set by the corporation for contracting health care facilities.
(4) A health care corporation shall provide coverage for intermediate and outpatient care for substance abuse, upon on issuance or renewal, in all group and nongroup certificates other than service-specific certificates, such as certificates providing coverage solely for 1 of the following: dental care; hearing care; vision care; prescription drugs; or another type of health care benefit. Subject to subsections (5) and (7), (6), a health care corporation may enter into contracts contract with providers for the rendering of intermediate care, outpatient care, or both types of care, for the treatment of substance abuse.
(5) A health care corporation shall enter into and maintain 5-year contracts with not less than 5 providers in this state, as demonstration projects pursuant to section 207(1)(b), for the rendering of inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care to adolescent substance abuse patients. A provider who contracts with a health care corporation for the rendering of inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care to adolescent substance abuse patients shall meet all of the following requirements:
(a) Is accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals, Joint Commission, formerly known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the council on accreditation for families and children, Council on Accreditation, the commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or the American osteopathic association.Osteopathic Association.
(b) If applicable, has obtained a certificate of need under part 221 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, being sections 333.22101 to 333.22181 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
(b) (c) Is licensed by the office of substance abuse services department of licensing and regulatory affairs under article 6 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978.1978 PA 368, MCL 333.6230 to 333.6251.
(c) (d) Is licensed by the department of social health and human services as a child caring institution under Act No. 116 of the Public Acts of 1973, being sections 722.111 to 722.128 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.128.
(d) (e) Agrees to follow generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
(e) (f) Agrees to supply all data required to fulfill the objectives of the demonstration program.
(f) (g) Agrees to work with the substance abuse advisory committee department of health and human services and the health care corporation in conducting the evaluation of the demonstration program.
(6) The substance abuse advisory committee is established, with the cooperation of the office of substance abuse services, under the direction of the office of health and medical affairs. The committee shall consist of 7 members to include the director of the office of health and medical affairs or his or her designee, the administrator of the office of substance abuse services or his or her designee, a representative of the department of public health, 2 designees of the chief executive officer of a health care corporation contracting for a demonstration project under subsection (5), a member of the family of an adolescent substance abuser to be appointed by the office of health and medical affairs, and a service provider of an adolescent substance abuse treatment program to be appointed by the office of health and medical affairs. The substance abuse advisory committee shall evaluate each demonstration project and shall report at the conclusion of each demonstration project to the senate and house standing committees responsible for public health issues. A final report of all the demonstration projects shall be issued by not later than December 31, 1994, and shall include evaluations of and recommendations concerning all of the following:
(a) The cost of specialized adolescent substance abuse treatment compared with the effectiveness of adolescent substance abuse treatment.
(b) The cost and effectiveness of the different levels of adolescent substance abuse treatment, including inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care and aftercare programs.
(6) (7) Based on the final report submitted pursuant to subsection (6), beginning December 31, 1994, a A health care corporation shall continue to enter into and maintain contracts with not less than 5 providers in this state, and may enter into additional contracts for the rendering of inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care to adolescent substance abuse patients if the provider meets the requirements of subsection (5)(a) to (e).(d). Contracts entered into under this subsection shall must be based upon the recommendations of the final report submitted pursuant to subsection (6).by the substance abuse advisory committee before December 31, 1994.
(7) (8) A health care corporation shall reimburse providers for the rendering of inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care to adolescent substance abuse patients at a rate that shall be is commensurate with reimbursement rates for other similar providers rendering inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care to adolescent substance abuse patients.
(8) (9) In the case of For group certificates, if the amount due for a group certificate would be increased by 3% or more because of the provision of the coverage required under subsection (4), the master policyholder shall have the option to decline the coverage required to be provided under subsection (4). In the case of For nongroup certificates, if the total amount due for all nongroup certificates of the health care corporation would be increased by 3% or more because of the provision of the coverage required under subsection (4), the subscriber for each such nongroup certificate shall have the option to decline the coverage required to be provided under subsection (4).
(9) (10) Charges, terms, and conditions for the coverage for intermediate and outpatient care for substance abuse required to be provided under subsection (4) shall must not be less favorable than the maximum prescribed for any other comparable service.
(10) (11) The coverage for intermediate and outpatient care for substance abuse required to be provided under subsection (4) shall must not be reduced by terms or conditions which that apply to other items of coverage in a certificate, group or nongroup. This subsection shall does not be construed to prohibit certificates that provide for deductibles and copayment provisions for coverage for intermediate and outpatient care for substance abuse, as approved by the commissioner.
(11) (12) The coverage for intermediate and outpatient care for substance abuse required to be provided under subsection (4) shall, must, at a minimum, provide for up to $1,500.00 in health care benefits for intermediate and outpatient care for substance abuse per member per year. This minimum shall must be adjusted by March 31, 1982 and by March 31 each year thereafter in accordance with the annual average percentage increase or decrease in the United States consumer price index Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending the preceding December 31.
(12) (13) As used in this section:
(a) "Adolescent" means an individual who is less than 18 years of age, but more than 11 years of age.
(b) "Intermediate care" means the use, in a full 24-hour residential therapy setting, or in a partial, less than 24-hour, residential therapy setting, of any or all of the following therapeutic techniques, as identified in a treatment plan for individuals physiologically or psychologically dependent upon or abusing alcohol or drugs:
(i) Chemotherapy.
(ii) Counseling.
(iii) Detoxification services.
(iv) Other ancillary services, such as medical testing, diagnostic evaluation, and referral to other services identified in a treatment plan.
(c) "Outpatient care" means the use, on both a scheduled and a nonscheduled basis, of any or all of the following therapeutic techniques, as identified in a treatment plan for individuals physiologically or psychologically dependent upon or abusing alcohol or drugs:
(i) Chemotherapy.
(ii) Counseling.
(iii) Detoxification services.
(iv) Other ancillary services, such as medical testing, diagnostic evaluation, and referral to other services identified in a treatment plan.
(d) "Substance abuse" means that term as defined in section 6107 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, being section 333.6107 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.100d of the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1100d.
Sec. 417. (1) A health care corporation shall offer to include benefits for hospice care in each certificate that provides benefits for inpatient hospital care.
(2) A health care corporation may enter into contracts contract with health care providers for the rendering of hospice care. A contracting health care provider shall be a licensed hospice under article 17 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, being sections 333.20101 to 333.22260 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20101 to 333.21925, and shall meet the standards set by the corporation for contracting health care providers.
(3) If benefits for hospice care are provided, a description of the hospice benefit shall must be included in communications sent to the individual or group purchaser of coverage.
Sec. 502. (1) A health care corporation may enter into participating contracts for reimbursement with professional health care providers practicing legally in this state for health care services or with health practitioners practicing legally in any other jurisdiction for health care services that the professional health care providers or practitioners may legally perform. A participating contract may cover all members or may be a separate and individual contract on a per claim basis, as set forth in the provider class plan, if, in entering into a separate and individual contract on a per claim basis, the participating provider certifies all of the following to the health care corporation:
(a) That the provider will shall accept payment from the corporation as payment in full for services rendered for the specified claim for the member indicated.
(b) That the provider will shall accept payment from the corporation as payment in full for all cases involving the procedure specified, for the duration of the calendar year. As used in this subdivision, provider does not include a person an individual licensed as a dentist under part 166 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16601 to 333.16648.333.16659.
(c) That the provider will shall not determine whether to participate on a claim on the basis of the race, color, creed, marital status, sex, national origin, residence, age, disability, or lawful occupation of the member entitled to health care benefits.
(2) A contract entered into under subsection (1) shall must provide that the private provider-patient relationship shall must be maintained to the extent provided for by law. A health care corporation shall continue to offer a reimbursement arrangement to any class of providers with which it has contracted before August 27, 1985 and that continues to meet the standards set by the corporation for that class of providers.
(3) A health care corporation shall not restrict the methods of diagnosis or treatment of professional health care providers who treat members. Except as otherwise provided in section 502a, each member of the health care corporation shall at all times have a choice of professional health care providers. This subsection does not apply to limitations in benefits contained in certificates, to the reimbursement provisions of a provider contract or reimbursement arrangement, or to standards set by the corporation for all contracting providers. A health care corporation may refuse to reimburse a health care provider for health care services that are overutilized, including those services rendered, ordered, or prescribed to an extent that is greater than reasonably necessary.
(4) A health care corporation may provide to a member, upon on request, a list of providers with whom the corporation contracts, for the purpose of assisting a member in obtaining a type of health care service. However, except as otherwise provided in section 502a, an employee, agent, or officer of the corporation, or an individual on the board of directors of the corporation, shall not make recommendations on behalf of the corporation with respect to the choice of a specific health care provider. Except as otherwise provided in section 502a, an employee, agent, or officer of the corporation, or a person an individual on the board of directors of the corporation, who influences or attempts to influence a person in the choice or selection of a specific professional health care provider on behalf of the corporation, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(5) A health care corporation shall provide a symbol of participation , which that can be publicly displayed , to providers who participate on all claims for covered health care services rendered to subscribers.
(6) This section does not impede the lawful operation of, or lawful promotion of, a health maintenance organization owned by a health care corporation.
(7) Contracts entered into under this section with professional health care providers licensed in this state are subject to sections 504 to 518.
(8) A health care corporation shall not deny participation to a freestanding surgical outpatient facility on the basis of ownership if the facility meets the reasonable standards set by the health care corporation for similar facilities , and is licensed under part 208 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20801 to 333.20821. , and complies with part 222 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.22201 to 333.22260.
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, if a certificate provides for benefits for services that are within the scope of practice of optometry, a health care corporation is not required to provide benefits or reimburse for a practice of optometry service unless that service was included in the definition of practice of optometry under section 17401 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17401, as of May 20, 1992.
(10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a health care corporation is not required to reimburse for services otherwise covered under a certificate if the services were performed by a member of a health care profession , which health care profession that was not licensed or registered by this state on or before January 1, 1998 but that becomes a health care profession licensed or registered by this state after January 1, 1998. This subsection does not change the status of a health care profession that was licensed or registered by this state on or before January 1, 1998.
(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, if a certificate provides for benefits for services that are within the scope of practice of chiropractic, a health care corporation is not required to provide benefits or reimburse for a practice of chiropractic service unless that service was included in the definition of practice of chiropractic under section 16401 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16401, as of January 1, 2009.
(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, if a certificate provides for benefits for services that are provided by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, a health care corporation is not required to provide benefits or reimburse for services provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant unless that service was provided by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist pursuant to a prescription from a health care professional who holds a license issued under part 166, 170, 175, or 180 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16601 to 333.16648, 333.16659, 333.17001 to 333.17084, 333.17097, 333.17501 to 333.17556, and 333.18001 to 333.18058, or the equivalent license issued by another state.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.
Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No. 5510 (request no. 04667'19) of the 100th Legislature is enacted into law.