Section 3556A - Primary care coverage(a) For purposes of this section: (1)a. "Carrier" means any entity that provides health insurance in this State. "Carrier" includes an insurance company, health service corporation, health maintenance organization, and any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits subject to state insurance regulation. "Carrier" also includes any third-party administrator or other entity that adjusts, administers, or settles claims in connection with health benefit plans.b. "Carrier" does not mean a plan of health insurance or health benefits designed for issuance to persons eligible for coverage under Titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. § 1395 et seq., § 1396 et seq. and § 1397aa. et seq.], known as Medicare, Medicaid, or any other similar coverage under state or federal governmental plans.(2) "Chronic care management" means the services in the Chronic Care Management Services program, as administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and includes Current Procedural Terminology ("CPT") codes 99487, 99489, and 99490.(3) "Medicare" means the federal Medicare Program (U.S. Public Law 89-87, as amended) [ 42 U.S.C. § 1395 et seq.].(4) "Primary care" means health care provided by a physician or an individual licensed under Title 24 to provide health care, with whom the patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist and includes family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, and geriatrics.(b)(1) A carrier shall provide coverage for chronic care management and primary care at a reimbursement rate that is not less than the Medicare reimbursement for comparable services.(2) This subsection applies to a group health insurance policy, plan, or contract that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed by a carrier on or after January 1, 2019.(3) A carrier shall do the following: a. By 2022, spend at least 7 percent of its total cost of medical care on primary care.b. By 2023, spend at least 8.5 percent of its total cost of medical care on primary care.c. By 2024, spend at least 10 percent of its total cost of medical care on primary care.d. By 2025, spend at least 11.5 percent of its total cost of medical care on primary care.(c) If a comparable Medicare reimbursement rate is not available, a carrier shall reimburse for services at the rates generally available under Medicare for services such as office visits and prolonged preventive services, which may be further delineated by regulation.(d)(1) The Department shall arbitrate disagreements regarding rates under this section. The parties must pay the cost of the arbitration.(2) The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this subsection no later than [90 days after the effective date of this Act].(e) The provisions of this section may not be waived by contract. Any contractual arrangement in conflict with the provisions of this section or that purports to waive any requirements of this section is void.(f) Coverage for chronic care management must not be subject to patient deductibles, copayments, or fees.Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 25,s 1, eff. 5/12/2023.Amended by Laws 2021, ch. 237,s 6, eff. 10/1/2021.Added by Laws 2017, ch. 392,s 6, eff. 1/1/2019.Section 2 of the 2023 legislation provides that this Act applies to all policies, contracts, or certificates issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended, or reissued after December 31, 2023.