ATLANTA – State Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), chairman of the House Health Committee, today announces that House Bill 1374, legislation he sponsored to improve transparency for healthcare providers on how they receive payments from insurance companies, has been signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp.
“With this law, we can bring greater transparency and flexibility for our healthcare providers by protecting them from being forced to into payment methods with hidden fees or unclear disclosures,” said Chairman Hawkins. “This measure will help ensure providers are not subject to unnecessary fees and have the ability to choose the payment method that insurance companies use for reimbursement. Overall, this dental insurance reform law will support a more affordable and efficient healthcare system for both patients and providers across Georgia.”
HB 1374 will establish requirements for how insurers issue payments to healthcare providers. Under this legislation, insurers must notify providers of any fees associated with a payment method and offer alternative options that do not impose additional costs. Providers must opt-in to accept payment methods that include fees, and their selected payment method will remain in place unless they choose to make a change.
The full text of HB 1374 may be found here.
*Editor’s note: A photo from the bill signing is included below.
Representative Lee Hawkins represents the citizens of District 27, which includes portions of Hall and Lumpkin counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves as Chairman of the Health Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, Banks & Banking, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance, Regulated Industries and Rules committees, as well as the Special Committee on Healthcare. He also serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Public and Community Health Committee.
###