In early February the state Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) announced the creation of a new Network Adequacy Working Group for the purpose of “…Revising the department’s policy and regulations on health insurance provider network adequacy.” The group will be composed of community members, health care advocates, providers, agents and brokers, legislators, and other government officials. (OSI will also convene a separate group for insurance carriers and industry representatives.) See a blog post on this action here.
It is hoped that this work will ensure that integrative care providers are given equal station with other licensed providers. Dr. Patrick Nuzzo, president of Southwestern University of Naprapathic Medicine, and a support of CoverMyCare, will participate in the year-long commitment required. Dr. Nuzzo is also a leader of a multi-discipline group advocating for adoption of the principles of Section 2706 through state legislation. The group will not introduce legislation in 2016, but will introduce a resolution called a Memorial affirming the importance of ending insurer discrimination against licensed healthcare providers.
Sen. Papen is president pro tempore of the senate and represents Doña Ana County, the 38th senate district.
For an original version of the bill click here for S-190.