Kentucky health insurance : While the legislature is engaged in ongoing discussions about an autism spectrum mandate, the House voted 96-0 last week in favor of “continuity of care” legislation. The bill is the Speaker’s initiative and would, among other things, require a term of agreement between a managed care plan and an acute-care hospital to be not less than three years, with a six-month notice of termination of nonrenewal.
Agreements would have to contain provisions for continuity of care to covered persons and include an expedited internal and external appeal process. The bill also would require mediation or binding arbitration between the plan and acute-care hospitals for any dispute regarding covered persons’ access to continuity of care in the event of termination or nonrenewal. Various organizations have expressed concern regarding an artificial three-year contract requirement.