Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Requires notice to covered persons by carriers regarding in-network primary care physicians.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning primary care physicians and supplementing P.L.1997, c.192 (C.26:2S-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A carrier shall provide to a new covered person, in written or electronic format and within 30 days of the start of coverage of the person, the contact information for all in-network primary care physicians.
b. Every six months, if a covered person does not have a primary care physician, the carrier of the covered person shall send, in written or electronic format, notice to the covered person to encourage the person to obtain a primary care physician.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to covered persons who begin coverage for a carrier on or after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires a health insurance carrier to provide to a new covered person, in written or electronic format and within 30 days of the start of coverage of the person, the contact information for all in-network primary care physicians. Every six months, if a covered person does not have a primary care physician, the carrier of the covered person is to send, in written or electronic format, notice to the covered person to encourage the person to obtain a primary care physician. The bill is intended to ensure covered persons have a regular physician to consult and to ease dependence on care provided through an urgent care facility or emergency room.