Legislative committees in Hawaii advance cancer screening legislation and scope of practice bills regarding physician assistants (PAs). The Tennessee Senate passes a bill modifying out-of-network billing provisions. The Virginia Senate advances certificate of need and scope bills.
Cancer Screening
In Hawaii, the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Homelessness passed House Bill (HB) 1774. If enacted, the bill would require carriers to cover mandated services for mammography at least as favorably as coverage for other radiological examinations. The Senate Committee on Health passed Senate Bill (SB) 3367, which would establish an early lung cancer screening task force to research steps and resources necessary to increase early lung cancer screening. The chairperson of the task force would invite at least one representative from an organization representing healthcare providers with relevant expertise on lung cancer screening.
The Hawaii Radiological Society supports both bills.
In Iowa, Senate File 2164 was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. If enacted, carriers would be required to provide coverage for diagnostic breast cancer examinations and would be prohibited from requiring cost-sharing greater than the cost-sharing required for a screening mammogram.
The Iowa Radiological Society supports the bill.
Certificate of Need
In Virginia, the Senate Committee on Education and Health passed SB 205. If enacted, the bill would require the Virginia Department of Health to establish an expedited review process for projects involving addition of imaging equipment, specifically computed tomographic scanning, magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomographic scanning.
The Virginia Radiological Society is monitoring the measure.
Out-of-Network Billing
In Illinois, HB 4703 was referred to the House Insurance Committee. If enacted, the bill would mandate carriers cover emergency and ancillary services from an out-of-network provider or facility at the in-network rate. The bill would define ancillary services to include radiology.
The Illinois Radiological Society is monitoring the measure.
In Tennessee, the Senate passed SB 1. If enacted, the bill would mandate that when a carrier receives a bill for emergency services from an out-of-network facility or facility-based physician, the carrier would pay an amount it determines is reasonable. The carrier also would ensure that the enrollee incurs no greater out-of-pocket costs for the emergency services than if the services were performed by an in-network physician or facility. The Insurance Commissioner would establish an independent dispute resolution process if the carrier and provider cannot reach an agreement.
The Tennessee Radiological Society supports the measure.
Scope of Practice
In Hawaii, the Committee on Health, Human Services, and Homelessness passed HB 1575. If enacted, the bill would expand the definition of a patient’s provider to include PAs.
The Hawaii Radiological Society is monitoring the bill.
In Virginia, the House passed HB 1245. If enacted, the bill would repeal a sunset provision in a bill (HB 1737) enacted in 2021 that would reduce the number of years of full-time clinical experience a nurse practitioner must have to be eligible to practice without a practice agreement from five years to two years.
The Virginia Radiological Society is opposed to the measure.
In Washington, SB 5704 was referred to the Ways and Means Committee. If enacted, the bill would mandate carriers to reimburse advanced registered nurse practitioners and physicians at the same rate for providing the same healthcare services.
The Washington Radiological Society is opposed to the measure.
Telehealth
In Hawaii, HB 1634 was referred to the Committees on Health, Human Services, and Homelessness; Consumer Protection and Commerce; and Finance. The bill would prohibit carriers from excluding coverage of a service solely because the service is provided through telehealth and not through face-to-face contact. It also would require parity between telehealth services and face-to-face services for purposes of deductibles, copayments or coinsurance.
The Hawaii Radiological Society supports the bill.
In Kansas, HB 2552 was referred to the House Committee on Health and Human Services. If enacted, the bill would establish a telehealth advisory committee that would advise and make recommendations regarding telemedicine quality care practices. The bill would mandate carriers cover telehealth service and require parity between telehealth services and face-to-face services for purposes of deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
The Kansas Radiological Society supports the measure.
The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology and healthcare related legislation. Members can opt in for Fiscal Note reports by contacting Eugenia Brandt, ACR Director of State Government Affairs.
For more information about the bills listed above or any other state legislative issue, members may contact Tina Getachew.
To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the American College of Radiology policy map.