OOA Supports Proposal to Enhance HB 125 Law

The OOA has signed-on to a letter supporting legislation that will clarify the managed care contracting provisions included in HB 125, which was enacted last session.  While HB 125 prohibited unilateral material contractual amendments, the legislation has not had its intended effect in the healthcare marketplace.  The law was expected to prohibit one-sided material contractual amendments, but the intent and spirit of that provision is not being followed in practice.  The new bill, sponsored by Reps. Timothy DeGeeter (D-Parma) and Todd Book (D-McDermott), specifically prohibits health plans from materially amending contracts without the agreement of the provider.  If the provider does not accept the amendment, the change doesn't go into effect.