HI HB1698

Requires health insurance carriers to honor written assignments of benefits from patients to substance use disorder treatment providers, ensuring direct payment to providers within 30 days of claim receipt.

Prohibits health insurance policies from containing anti-assignment clauses that restrict or void a patient's right to assign benefits to substance use disorder treatment providers; any such clauses are rendered unenforceable.

Grants substance use disorder treatment providers the right to bring civil action against insurers who deny payment despite valid assignments, with potential awards including injunctive relief, actual damages, interest, and attorneys' fees.

Classifies violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under state insurance law, with the Insurance Commissioner authorized to adopt enforcement rules and publish annual compliance summaries.

Applies to fully insured health benefit plans under state jurisdiction but exempts self-funded employer plans regulated exclusively under ERISA.