CT SB00351

Limits non-compete agreements for physicians to a maximum of one year and 15 miles from their primary practice location, effective July 1, 2016, and requires employers to make bona fide renewal offers or terminate only for cause to enforce such agreements.

Requires health care providers to notify patients in writing when referring them to affiliated providers, informing patients they can choose their own provider and directing them to contact their health carrier for information on alternative in-network providers and costs.

Requires hospitals to include on admission forms questions about veteran status, provide self-pay patients with copies of charges upon request, and include itemized bills with explanations of codes and the hospital's cost-to-charge ratio.

Authorizes independent practice associations and physician-controlled business entities (60% or more physician ownership) to organize medical foundations, with governance requiring equal or greater physician representation on boards and prohibiting individuals from serving on multiple medical foundation boards.

Directs the Health Care Cabinet to study licensure of urgent care and limited service health clinics and submit recommendations for licensing categories if a study is conducted.