PAIN MANAGEMENT - H.B. 4685 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4685 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Representative Beverly Hammerstrom

House Committee: Health Policy

Senate Committee: Health Policy and Senior Citizens

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to require a health maintenance organization (HMO) to provide to subscribers, upon enrollment, a clear, complete, and accurate description of how covered benefits would apply in the evaluation and treatment of intractable pain. This description would have to be included in the form that HMOs presently are required to provide to subscribers upon enrollment.

The bill also would require that an HMO, upon request, provide a subscriber with the professional credentials of participating health professionals who were board certified in the specialty of pain medicine and the evaluation and treatment of intractable pain, and had reported that certification to the HMO. Currently, HMOs are required, upon request, to provide subscribers with the professional credentials of participating health professionals.

The bill would take effect April 1, 1999.

MCL 333.21052 - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 12-2-98 - Fiscal Analyst: M. Tyszkiewicz

- J. Walkerfloor\hb4685 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.