; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting (other than, with respect to a plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2022, the provisions of section 2719A of such Act) after the first occurrence of such part A . (B) Application to retiree-only plans Section 9831(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting (other than, with respect to a group health plan described in paragraph (2), the requirements of section 9816) before shall not apply . (3) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following new items: Sec. 9815. Additional market reforms. Sec. 9816. Patient protections. . (4) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2022. (c) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 amendments (1) In general Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 716. Patient protections (a) Choice of health care professional If a health plan requires or provides for designation by a participant or beneficiary of a participating primary care provider, then the plan shall permit each participant or beneficiary to designate any participating primary care provider who is available to accept such individual. (b) Cost-Sharing and payment of emergency services (1) In general If a health plan provides or covers any benefits with respect to services in an emergency department of a hospital and, for plan year 2022 or a subsequent plan year, with respect to emergency services in an independent freestanding emergency department, the plan shall cover emergency services— (A) without the need for any prior authorization determination