Senate Panel Approves Copayment Protection Measure

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved legislation yesterday  that would protect consumers from paying multiple copayments for physical therapy, chiropractic and occupational therapy services.

Senate Bill 1432, sponsored by Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-10), would prohibit a health insurance policy from charging a consumer more than one copayment amount per visit or from depleting more than one visit for services provided on a given date.
 
“Eliminating multiple copayments is one way we can help preserve the balance of costs paid by insurers and costs paid by the insured,” McIlhinney said. “In many cases, consumers are being forced to pay a disproportionate share of the price for these services.”
 
The bill allows the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance to develop regulations to carry out provisions of the bill. Violators would be subjected to penalties prescribed in the Unfair Insurance Practices Act.
 
Senate Bill 1432 was sent to the full Senate for consideration.