AN ACT REQUIRING THAT HEALTH CARRIERS COLLECT OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR COVERED BENEFITS.

SB 195 requires health insurance companies (health carriers) to directly collect coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs from patients for covered medical services, rather than having healthcare providers handle this collection. This bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients receiving covered benefits. The key provision shifts the responsibility for collecting these patient cost-sharing amounts from providers to the insurance carriers themselves. The bill aims to streamline billing by making insurers the primary point of contact for these payments. It does not change coverage or cost-sharing amounts, only the entity responsible for collecting them.