SB 4 Alaska Senate · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relating to a health care insurance policy incentive program; relating to health care services; and providing for an effective date.

SB 4 establishes a new "Health Care Insurance Policy Incentive Program" and requires health insurance companies in Alaska to report specific data to the state insurance director. It mandates insurers to provide annual reports detailing health claims paid under certain standards, contributions under existing tax credit programs, and public feedback on rate filings. The bill also updates rules prohibiting rebates or special incentives for health insurance policies beyond what’s stated in the contract. These requirements directly affect all health insurers operating in Alaska’s individual and group markets, requiring them to submit detailed, standardized data to the state. The bill does not create new benefits but focuses on transparency and reporting for existing insurance practices.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB 4 → CSSB 4(L&C) · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the bill number and sponsor information, update the statute citation from AS 21.06.110 to AS 21.36.100, and add new sections creating a health care insurance policy incentive program that rewards consumers for choosing lower-cost providers. The changes also add detailed requirements for how insurers must calculate and distribute incentive payments based on whether coverage is group or individual market.

Scope change

The bill now includes a new incentive program that applies to all health care insurers offering group or individual market policies in Alaska, requiring them to provide monetary incentives to covered persons who choose providers charging below median contracted rates.

TECHNICAL

Changed bill designation from SB 4 to CSSB 4(L&C) and updated sponsor information to reflect committee sponsorship rather than individual introduction.

Updated statute citation from AS 21.06.110 to AS 21.36.100 for the rebate prohibition section.

REQUIREMENT

Added new sections creating a health care insurance policy incentive program requiring insurers to provide monetary incentives to covered persons who choose lower-cost providers.

Added requirements for insurers to provide price comparison tools and comprehensive comparison guidance by telephone.

Added specific incentive payment percentages: 33.4% to covered persons and 33.3% to employers for group coverage, and 50% to covered persons for individual market coverage.

Added minimum threshold of $200 for cost savings before an incentive payment is required.

Added filing requirements for insurers to submit program descriptions to the director before offering the incentive program.

Added annual notice requirements to inform covered persons about the availability of the incentive program at enrollment or renewal.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 11, 2025

Committee

(S) REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Moved CSSB 4(L&C) Out of Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors