THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY WARD, ERICKSON, ROBBINS, VOGEL, McILHINNEY, ARGALL, LEACH, O'PAKE, WAUGH, WASHINGTON, ALLOWAY, FARNESE AND MELLOW, FEBRUARY 1, 2010

REFERRED TO BANKING AND INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 1, 2010  

AN ACT

Amending the act of July 2, 1996 (P.L.514, No.85), entitled "An

act providing for certain health insurance benefits to aid

the health and well-being of mother and child following the

birth of a child; and prohibiting certain practices by

insurers," prohibiting insurers from setting fees for

noncovered insurance services.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of July 2, 1996 (P.L.514, No.85), known

as the Health Security Act, is amended by adding a section to

read:

Section 4.1.  Fees for noncovered services.

(a)  Prohibition.--An insurer's contract with a health care

provider may not require that the health care provider provide

services to the insurer's subscribers at a fee set by the

insurer unless the insurer compensates the health care provider

for the services.

(b)  Effect.--A contractual provision in violation of

subsection (a) is void.

Section 2.  The addition of section 4.1 of the act shall

apply to insurance policies issued or renewed on or after the

effective date of this section.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.