Senate Bill 351 Summary

• Requires physicians to provide patients with a list of the five geographically nearest health care service providers certified by nationally recognized organizations (such as the American College of Radiology or Joint Commission), including telephone numbers.

• Mandates that at least one of the five listed providers must be independent—not employed by the physician and in which the physician has no ownership interest.

• Requires physicians to include the prescription for the health care service, notice that prices may vary significantly among providers, and notice about radiologist presence for radiology services.

• Prohibits accident and sickness insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts from basing prior authorization requirements on the provider of a health care service; prior authorization must be based solely on the health care service itself.

• Effective date: July 1, 2013.