This bill eliminates existing premiums for New Hampshire's Medicaid programs (Granite Advantage for adults and CHIP for children) and limits any cost-sharing fees under expanded Medicaid to $5 per service. It repeals current premium requirements that generated approximately $16 million annually in state revenue, requiring a $16 million appropriation in FY2027 to offset this loss. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with the $5 cost-sharing cap applying starting October 1, 2028. The bill directly affects current Medicaid recipients by removing premium payments and modifies state budgeting for the Medicaid program.
SB 408 requires health insurance policies in New Hampshire to cover prosthetic devices for adults over 19, expanding existing coverage that previously applied only to children under 19. The bill mandates coverage for activity-specific prosthetics (like those for sports) but limits this to one device every five years. It also requires insurers to cover necessary materials, instruction, and repairs for medically needed prosthetics, without annual limits. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to most group health insurance plans, excluding Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans.
HB 1527 requires all New Hampshire state departments to annually send full-time employees a clear summary of available benefits, including retirement plans, health insurance, mental health services, and other support programs. Departments must use a standardized template created by the Department of Administrative Services to ensure consistent communication. Municipalities and counties may choose to adopt this same practice using the template. The bill does not provide new funding but directs existing agency funds to cover printing and mailing costs.
HB 1744 requires health insurance companies operating in New Hampshire to submit annual reports by March 1st starting in 2026, detailing their mental health and substance use disorder coverage practices. These reports must include data on claims denial rates, average wait times for appointments, provider network availability, and compliance with federal parity laws. The insurance commissioner will review these reports and make de-identified data publicly available, while the state Medicaid program must also report annually starting in 2027 on similar metrics. This bill establishes new transparency requirements without authorizing new funding or positions.
SB 607 aligns New Hampshire's rules with federal limits for short-term health insurance policies. It prohibits insurers from offering these policies for more than the maximum duration permitted under federal law, removing previous state-specific limits (like the 6-month cap and 540-day total coverage restriction). This directly affects consumers seeking temporary health coverage and insurance companies selling these policies in New Hampshire. The bill ensures state regulations do not allow longer coverage periods than federal guidelines permit. It becomes effective January 1, 2027.
SB 550 requires group health insurance policies issued in New Hampshire to cover services provided by licensed naturopathy providers when the same type of service would be covered if performed by another healthcare provider. This applies directly to insurers offering group health plans and patients seeking naturopathy care. The bill mandates that insurers cannot apply higher copays, deductibles, or coinsurance for these services compared to other covered treatments. It takes effect 60 days after passage and does not require insurers to cover new services, only those already covered under equivalent provider types. The fiscal note indicates potential small premium increases but no determinable state or local cost impact.
SB 544 prevents health insurance companies from removing drugs from their coverage lists mid-year. It requires insurers to continue covering any prescription drug that was approved under a policy until the enrollee's next plan renewal date, even if the drug is later removed from the formulary. This directly affects individuals enrolled in health benefit plans who rely on specific medications. Changes to drug coverage can only occur at renewal dates and must apply uniformly to all similar plans.
HB 1760 repeals a requirement that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services seek a waiver to impose pharmacy copayments and premiums on Medicaid beneficiaries, including those in the New Hampshire Advantage Health Care Program and the Children's Health Insurance Program. It removes specific law sections (2025, 141:65; RSA 126-AA:2-a; and RSA 126-A:3, IX) that would have mandated these cost-sharing measures. The bill appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to cover the resulting revenue shortfall for the 2026-2027 biennium. This change directly eliminates new costs for Medicaid participants while maintaining program funding stability.
HB 1406 prohibits health insurance companies (health carriers) from using artificial intelligence to override doctors' clinical decisions. Specifically, it bans AI from auditing or adjusting provider codes based on AI recommendations that would change a physician's professional judgment about patient care. Health carriers must document all AI use in claims processing and provide these records to regulators. Violations are considered unfair insurance practices, potentially resulting in fines or restitution for denied care. The law directly affects healthcare providers and insurers, taking effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1245 establishes a voluntary framework for independent contractors in New Hampshire to access portable benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, or disability coverage through designated providers. Hiring parties (businesses or platforms) can voluntarily contribute to these plans or withhold a portion of payment from the contractor, with the contractor’s written consent. Crucially, participation in these plans cannot be used to reclassify a worker as an employee under state law, preserving current independent contractor status. The bill requires clear opt-in agreements and has no estimated state or local cost impact.
