CT SB00426

Prohibits health carriers and providers from including contract provisions that block disclosure of billed amounts, reimbursement rates, out-of-pocket costs, or data to the all-payer claims database, effective January 1, 2018; violating provisions are void and constitute unfair practices.

Requires health carriers to maintain current, accurate participating provider directories updated at least weekly and accessible online without requiring account creation, policy numbers, or personal information; print copies must be provided within five business days of request.

Mandates health carriers conduct annual audits of provider directories for accuracy, investigate reported inaccuracies within five business days, and take corrective action within thirty days; carriers must report findings annually to the commissioner.

Expands "surprise bill" protections to include services rendered during procedures by in-network providers, previously authorized services, or services referred by in-network providers without express written consent; limits patient cost-sharing for surprise bills to in-network rates.

Requires out-of-network providers to be reimbursed within thirty days at the greater of: plan in-network rate, eightieth percentile of charges in the same specialty and region, or Medicare reimbursement rate; effective January 1, 2018.