2019 -- S 0677

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LC001703

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PAYMENT TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness

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Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-18-85. Health care providers refusal to accept virtual credit card payment.

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     An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or

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renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2020, shall, at least once during the term of the

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contract year, permit a licensed health care provider who provides covered services to an insured,

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to refuse to accept reimbursement for such services by way of a virtual credit card. Such refusal

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shall apply to all covered services by the provider during the term of the contract year. As used in

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this section, “virtual credit card” means a single-use credit card provided exclusively in an

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electronic or digital format.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-19-77. Health care providers refusal to accept virtual credit card payment.

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     An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or

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renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2020, shall, at least once during the term of the

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contract year, permit a licensed health care provider who provides covered services to an insured,

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to refuse to accept reimbursement for such services by way of a virtual credit card. Such refusal

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shall apply to all covered services by the provider during the term of the contract year. As used in

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this section, “virtual credit card” means a single-use credit card provided exclusively in an

 

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electronic or digital format.

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     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-20-73. Health care providers refusal to accept virtual credit card payment.

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     An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or

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renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2020, shall, at least once during the term of the

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contract year, permit a licensed health care provider who provides covered services to an insured,

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to refuse to accept reimbursement for such services by way of a virtual credit card. Such refusal

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shall apply to all covered services by the provider during the term of the contract year. As used in

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this section, “virtual credit card” means a single-use credit card provided exclusively in an

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electronic or digital format.

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     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-20.1 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Dental Service

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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-20.1-23. Health care providers refusal to accept virtual credit card payment.

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     An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or

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renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2020, shall, at least once during the term of the

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contract year, permit a licensed health care provider who provides covered services to an insured,

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to refuse to accept reimbursement for such services by way of a virtual credit card. Such refusal

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shall apply to all covered services by the provider during the term of the contract year. As used in

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this section, “virtual credit card” means a single-use credit card provided exclusively in an

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electronic or digital format.

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     SECTION 5. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

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Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-41-90. Health care providers refusal to accept virtual credit card payment.

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     An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or

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renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2020, shall, at least once during the term of the

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contract year, permit a licensed health care provider who provides covered services to an insured,

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to refuse to accept reimbursement for such services by way of a virtual credit card. Such refusal

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shall apply to all covered services by the provider during the term of the contract year. As used in

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this section, “virtual credit card” means a single-use credit card provided exclusively in an

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electronic or digital format.

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     SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001703

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PAYMENT TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

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     This act would allow health care providers to refuse to accept payment by virtual credit

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card payment (a single-use digital credit card) at least once each health insurance contract year.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001703

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