PHYSICIAN CERTIFICATION S.B. 608 & 609:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bills 608 and 609 (as introduced 11-10-15)
Sponsor: Senator Peter MacGregor
CONTENT
Senate Bills 608 would amend the Insurance Code to prohibit insurers from conditioning the payment of a claim on a physician's national or regional certification not otherwise required under the Public Health Code. Senate Bill 609 would amend the Public Health Code to prohibit the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs or a professional board from requiring a physician to maintain such certification, and prohibit hospitals from denying admitting privileges on that basis.
The bills are described in more detail below.
Senate Bill 608
The bill would prohibit an insurer that delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed an expense-incurred hospital, medical, or surgical policy or certificate issued under Chapter 34 (Disability Insurance Policies) or Chapter 36 (Group and Blanket Disability Insurance) of the Insurance Code, or a health maintenance organization that issued a health maintenance contract, from requiring, as a condition of payment or reimbursement of a claim, an allopathic or osteopathic physician to maintain a national or regional certification not otherwise specifically required for licensure under Article 15 (Occupations) of the Public Health Code.
Senate Bill 609
The bill would prohibit the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the Board of Medicine, or the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery from requiring, by order, rule, or other method, a physician applicant or licensee under its jurisdiction to maintain a national or regional certification that was not otherwise specifically required under Article 15 as a condition of licensure or license renewal.
The bill also would prohibit the owner, operator, or governing body of a licensed hospital from denying admitting privileges to a physician based solely upon whether he or she maintained a national or regional certification that was not otherwise specifically required in Article 15.
Proposed MCL 200.2212d (S.B. 608) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
Proposed MCL 333.16147 & 333.21514 (S.B. 609)
FISCAL IMPACT
Senate Bill 608
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. While the legislation could result in more allopathic and osteopathic physicians receiving reimbursement from insurers, there is no indication that this would change the overall demand for health care services.
Senate Bill 609
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Steve Angelotti
Josh Sefton
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.