Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell last week vetoed legislation that would
have required group health insurers to offer wellness programs and give
enrollees incentives to participate, as well as beefing up benefits in other
areas.
Under the measure, H.B. 5021, insurers would have had to offer a wellness
program and give enrollees a choice of several incentives—such as a premium
reduction and reduced cost-sharing—to participate.
Other provisions would have increased to age 19 from age 13 the maximum age
insured plans would have to offer coverage for hearing aids for children;
eliminated co-insurance; eliminated co-payments, deductibles or other
out-of-pocket payments for health plan enrollees who receive a second or
subsequent colonoscopy in a year; and increased to $5,000 from $1,000 annual
coverage available for ostomy appliances and supplies. Ostomy includes
colostomies.
Gov. Rell said the new mandates had merit, but he was concerned about their
cost to policyholders.
“The simple truth is that we cannot afford this bill. It would be fiscally
irresponsible to burden our recovery with these significant costs,” she said in
a statement.
Filed by Jerry Geisel of
Business
Insurance, a sister publication of Workforce
Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.
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