00HOUSE BILL NO. 300                                                                                                    
01 "An Act relating to health insurance; and providing for an effective date."                                             
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03    * Section 1.  AS 21.42 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                 
04  Sec 21.42.390.  Required health insurance coverage provisions.  (a)  A                                              
05 health care insurer may not include in the health care insurance plan or contract a                                     
06 provision that                                                                                                          
07   (1)  prohibits a covered person from obtaining health care services from                                             
08 a health care provider of the person's choice, including a specialist;                                                  
09   (2)  restricts a covered person's right to receive full information from                                             
10 the person's health care provider regarding the care or treatment options that the health                               
11 care provider believes are in the best interests of the person.                                                         
12  (b)  A health care insurance plan or subscriber contract that allows the health                                       
13 care insurer to review a treatment plan or conduct a utilization review must contain a                                  
14 provision that a treatment plan review or utilization review for a covered person                                       

01 receiving treatment in this state must be conducted by a health care provider who is                                    
02 licensed to practice in this state.                                                                                     
03  (c)  A health care insurer may not                                                                                    
04   (1)  directly or indirectly reimburse a covered person at a different rate                                           
05 because of the person's choice of provider;                                                                             
06   (2)  deny coverage, cancel a health care insurance plan or subscriber                                                
07 contract, or otherwise take action against a covered person or a health care provider                                   
08 because the person has asserted a right described under this section.                                                   
09  (d)  A covered person may bring a civil action against a health care insurer to                                       
10 enforce the person's rights under this section.                                                                         
11  (e)  In this section,                                                                                                 
12   (1)  "health care provider" means a person licensed in this state to                                                 
13 provide health care services;                                                                                           
14   (2)  "health care services" means treatment of an individual for an                                                  
15 injury, illness, or disability and includes preventative treatment of an injury or illness.                             
16    * Sec. 2.  This Act takes effect July 1, 1998.