Sen. Brown Media Contact:
Paige Gehlhausen, Press Secretary
Paige.Gehlhausen@iga.in.gov
317-232-9425
pp
Sen. Charbonneau Contact:
Emma Balzer, Senior Press Secretary
Emma.Balzer@iga.in.gov
317-232-7184
Brown, Charbonneau detail bill addressing changes in health care
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 9, 2024) – State Sens. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) and Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) today detailed Senate Bill 132, which introduces various changes to insurance and health care administration with three goals: increasing access to health care services, increasing transparency in those health care services and reducing overall health regulations.
"For quite some time now, Indiana's health care system has seriously needed reform so it can better serve our state," Brown said. "I have authored Senate Bill 132 to ensure Hoosiers are getting the most out of their health care system and to hold health care insurance providers accountable."
SB 132 would authorize the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to implement a risk-based managed care program for certain Medicare recipients who are eligible. It also establishes claim payment requirements and deadlines within the first six months for managed care organizations that enter a contract with FSSA to provide services under a risk-based managed care program.
SB 132 also seeks to help Hoosiers save money by creating accountability measures for insurance companies, including preventing them from setting fees for dental services unless they are covered under the dental insurance plan, preventing dental insurance carriers from allowing a third-party access to a provider network contract unless certain conditions are met, and prohibiting them from retaliating should a dental service provider opt to not participate in third-party access.
The bill also establishes a penalty for any insurance company that violates a cease and desist order placed on them by the Indiana Department of Insurance commissioner. The penalty would be no more than $10,000 for each day the order is violated.
In addition, SB 132 seeks to expedite the payment process for dental services by allowing the insurance company to pay a benefit directly to a dental services provider, rather than having to send the benefit to the covered individual who must pass it on to the dental services provider.
Finally, SB 132 eliminates the requirement that a health facility administrator must display their license in a prominent location in their office, eliminates the issuance of provisional residential care administrator licenses and changes a particular specialized course for administrators concerning facility administration and resident management from a mandatory requirement to an optional requirement. The bill also eliminates the requirement that a licensed telehealth provider located outside of Indiana who provides services to Hoosier patients must file a waiver of jurisdiction certification.
"As chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services, it is always my responsibility to ensure that legislation works to expand access to and allow more transparency for health care," Charbonneau said. "Senate Bill 132 helps accomplish both of these goals, and I am eager to work with Sen. Brown and other lawmakers to further discuss this bill."
To learn more SB 132, click here.
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State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) represents Senate District 15,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) represents Senate District 5,
which includes Pulaski and White counties, and portions of Jasper and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
