Healthcare (Medicare)

HB 340 amends Utah's Medicare supplement insurance rules to allow individuals under 65 who are eligible for Medicare to enroll in Medicare supplement plans under specific circumstances. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging more for preexisting conditions diagnosed within six months before coverage starts. It also requires insurers to let enrollees switch to comparable or lower-tier plans annually without medical underwriting and establishes loss ratio standards for premium refunds. These changes directly affect Utah residents under 65 who qualify for Medicare but previously faced enrollment barriers. The bill focuses on expanding access and standardizing coverage terms without appropriating state funds.

SB 211 prevents defendants in personal injury lawsuits from using evidence about third-party payments (like insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid) to reduce compensation. It makes inadmissible any information about collateral sources, reduced medical bills, health care provider liens, or the plaintiff’s personal financial obligations for treatment. This directly affects plaintiffs who received medical care covered by insurance and defendants who previously tried to lower settlements based on pre-paid medical costs. The law requires courts to instruct juries not to consider these factors during trials.