HB 538 - UNIFORM HEALTH CARE CLAIMS PROCEDURES Number 010 REP. CYNTHIA TOOHEY presented HB 538. She read the following sponsor statement: This bill would give the Division of Insurance the ability to adopt, by regulation, uniform insurance claims forms. This piece of legislation was derived from HB 414, the governor's comprehensive health care bill. While there is definitely the need for overall health care reform, there is the possibility that these comprehensive changes will not pass this year. I feel that it is important to have some mechanism in place for the development of the uniform claims form, which will at least get us started in the right direction. The Division of Insurance has submitted a zero fiscal note for HB 538. I urge your favorable consideration of this important piece of legislation. REP. TOOHEY offered a short amendment to the HB 538 on page 2, Section 2, lines 6 and 7: delete all material and insert *Sec. 2. By July 1, 1995, the director of the Division of Insurance shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the uniform claim form described by Sec. 1 of this act. Number 056 REP. MULDER asked if the HESS Committee had any questions in relation to disclosure of costs or fees by medical providers. Number 061 REP. TOOHEY stated that it was a concern of the committee. Number 067 REP. MULDER asked if Rep. Toohey thought it had support among the HESS Committee members. Number 069 REP. TOOHEY replied yes. Number 074 REP. MULDER asked if she thought it worthwhile to add it to the bill or would it detract. Number 079 REP. TOOHEY stated it would detract at this time. Number 087 DAVE WALSH, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of Commerce and Economic Development, agreed with Rep. Toohey that adding a provision requiring disclosure of costs by medical providers would be risky for the bill at this point. Number 104 REP. PORTER asked for the executive summary of what this form is and who uses it. Number 108 MR. WALSH replied that the forms people send in to their insurance companies after going to a doctor differ from company to company. MR. WALSH explained that this increases administrative work for the companies, the consumer and in terms of any data collection. One claim form would ease this burden. Number 131 CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked if there were any other states attempting similar activities. Number 135 MR. WALSH replied that there were a number of states as well as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners who are working towards the single claim form. Number 140 CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked how this bill would be regulated and what would be the savings to the public. Number 146 MR. WALSH asserted that they wouldn't even have to mandate that everyone use the same form since doing so would be beneficial to everyone. MR. WALSH answered that it would be very speculative and he would not want to venture a guess except to say it would be significant. Number 161 REP. TOOHEY added that there would be a significant savings in data collection. Number 165 REP. PORTER moved Amendment 1. No objections were heard; it was so ordered. Number 185 REP. MULDER moved CSHB 538(L&C) with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note. No objections were heard; it was so ordered. Number 205 (Note: The committee stood at ease from Number 205 to Number 242 while the chairman reviewed some notes.)