SB 560 Summary

• Establishes the Health Care Empowerment Act allowing patients to seek and pay for medical services outside insurance plans, Medicaid, or Medicare without forfeiting benefits.

• Permits physicians, medical professionals, and medical facilities to accept payment for services and medical products outside insurance systems, including from Medicaid/Medicare beneficiaries if the provider has opted out of Medicare.

• Defines direct primary care membership agreements as contractual arrangements between primary care providers and patients for agreed-to fees over set periods, excluding fee-for-service billing to third parties.

• Exempts direct primary care membership agreements from insurance regulation and removes requirements for providers or agents to obtain insurance licenses or certifications to market such agreements.

• Requires direct primary care agreements to allow termination by either party with written notice, ensure fees are earned only after the paid month is completed, and mandate return of unearned fees upon patient termination.