A03424 Summary:

BILL NO    A03424 

SAME AS    No same as

SPONSOR    Bradley (MS)

COSPNSR    Jacobs, Fields, Millman, Dinowitz, Benedetto, Markey, Englebright,
           Galef, Boyland, Gabryszak

MLTSPNSR   Cahill, Colton, Cook, Gunther, Magnarelli, Mayersohn, McEneny,
           Pheffer, Reilly, Tobacco, Wright

Amd SS3217-a & 4324, Ins L; amd S4408, Pub Health L

Requires insurance entities to issue insurance identification cards that
contain certain information; requires the cards to state the type of coverage
received by the individual, the amount of a co-pay, if any, the billing address
and contact information of the entity, and any electronic submission
information.

A03424 Actions:

BILL NO    A03424 

01/27/2009 referred to insurance

A03424 Votes:

A03424 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A3424

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the insurance law and the public
health law, in relation to the use of insurance identification cards

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To require that health insurance providers issue insurance
identification cards containing certain uniform information.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section one amends the Insurance Law by adding a new subdivision to
section 3217-A, which will require that health insurance providers
issue insurance identification cards to each insurance plan
participant. The cards shall include: (a) the patient's identification
information, including the patient's name and identification number,
(b) the type of coverage, including the specific product line offered,
the cardholder is entitled to receive, (c) the amount of the
cardholder's co-payment, if any, (d) the billing address and contact
information, including a telephone number, for the entity that issued
the card. Sections two and three amend the insurance law and the
public health law to ensure that non-profit insurers and health
maintenance organizations also provide insurance ID cards to their
subscribers. An insurer or HMO shall issue a new card if any
information on the card changes.

Section four establishes the effective date of the legislation.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Each health insurance company is unique in the way that they describe
their services and products, and patients' identification cards often
do not clearly describe the plan the patient belongs to, the specific
address to which to mail claims, or other information needed so that
patients can access appropriate care. Incomplete and varied
information on cards also contributes to health care provider
uncertainty about services covered by a patient's plan, which is
necessary for both effective health care decisions by the patient and
proper billing by the hospitals and physicians. Incorrect billing can
cause lost time and money in our already taxed health care system.
This legislation solves these issues by creating a clear and uniform
insurance identification card requirement for all New Yorkers.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

A10554 of 2005-2006 A5203 of 2007-2008

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
January 1 following enactment.