Date: 04/02/2015
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1297
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE, & ENVIRONMENT
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05:15 PM -- HB 15-1297
The committee came back to order and resumed hearing testimony on House Bill 15-1297, concerning unfair business practices within vision insurance plans.
05:16 PM -- Ben Price and Sara Orrange, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Price summarized his testimony from the March 31, 2015, committee meeting. Mr. Price answered questions about vision insurance. Ms. Orrange answered questions about health insurance plans' ability to contract with optometrists. Mr. Price answered questions about health insurance plans and vision care plans. Representative Mitsch Bush referenced list of vision care plans (Attachment F) that was provided by the National Association of Vision Care Plans. The committee continued to dialogue with Mr. Price about vision care plans, health insurance plans, and credentialing requirements.
150402 AttachF.pdf
05:30 PM -- Dan O'Connell, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed the ongoing discussion to develop amendments. He outlined his organization's concerns about the bill. Mr. O'Connell answered questions about the members of his organization and his organization's position on the bill. In response to a question, he discussed cost-shifting. Committee discussion with Mr. O'Connell ensued.
05:52 PM
Mr. O'Connell reiterated his desire to allow additional time for the interested parties to work to address their concerns with the legislation.
05:54 PM -- Dr. Mitchell Munson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout (Attachment G) to the committee that outlines the reimbursement rates for optometrists under various vision care plans. Dr. Munson discussed legislation in other states and credentialing requirements under health insurance plans. He explained non-covered materials and the required discounts. He discussed retinal scans. Dr. Munson explained situations in which medical insurance would be billed for vision exams. He expressed why legislation is necessary to address the concerns of the optometrists related to vision care plans. Dr. Munson answered questions about the contract negotiations between vision care plans and optometrists.
150402 AttachG.pdf
06:06 PM
Committee discussion with Dr. Munson ensued.
06:11 PM
In response to a question, Kevin Paul, Colorado Optometric Association, came to the table to discuss anti-trust laws.
06:13 PM
Dr. Munson answered questions about vision care plans and non-covered services. He discussed Medicare reimbursement rates. Dr. Munson continued to respond to questions from the committee.
06:22 PM -- Virginia Morrison Love, America's Health Insurance Plans, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed the market share that various vision care plans have in Colorado. She outlined her concerns about the bill. Ms. Morrison Love answered questions about the bill and vision care plans.
06:33 PM -- Kevin Paul, Colorado Optometric Association, testified in support of the bill. He outlined the provisions of the bill, requirements of vision care plans, and anti-trust issues. Mr. Paul answered question about the use of the term "credentialing" in the bill and the unfair or deceptive acts or practices statute.
06:44 PM -- Kathi Williams, Colorado Optometric Association, testified in support of the bill. She discussed cost shifting related to vision care. She discussed how House Bill 15-1297 compares to legislation in other states. She discussed meeting with Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies and Attorney General's Office about vision care plans. She referenced a handout that outlines the difference between general health insurance and vision care plans (Attachment H).
150402 AttachH.pdf
06:50 PM
Representative McCann discussed laying over the bill with the sponsors to allow time for the stakeholders to meet on the bill. Representative McCann laid the bill over the bill to a future date to be determined
06:52 PM
The committee adjourned.