AB50: Bill Text

AB50,2866 Section 2866. 459.24 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1388,11 459.24 (5) (b) Proof that the applicant completed, within the 2 years immediately preceding the date of his or her application, 20 hours of satisfied continuing education programs or courses of study approved or required under requirements specified in rules promulgated under sub. (5m). This paragraph does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the examining board initially granted the license.

AB50,2867 Section 2867. 459.24 (5m) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1388,20 459.24 (5m) (a) 1. Promulgate rules establishing continuing education requirements for individuals licensed under this subchapter. The rules shall require the completion of 20 hours in programs or courses of study approved under this subsection. The examining board shall, for up to a 2-year period, exempt new licensees from the requirements under this subdivision. The rules shall establish the criteria for approval of continuing education programs or courses of study required for renewal of a license under sub. (5) and the criteria for approval of the sponsors and cosponsors of continuing education programs or courses of study.

AB50,2868 Section 2868. 460.07 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1389,2 460.07 (2) (intro.) Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department on or before the applicable renewal date specified determined by the department under s. 440.08 (2) (a) and shall include all of the following:

AB50,2869 Section 2869. 460.10 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1389,8 460.10 (1) (a) Requirements and procedures for a license holder to complete continuing education programs or courses of study to qualify for renewal of his or her license. The rules promulgated under this paragraph may not require a license holder to complete more than 24 hours of continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal of his or her license per 2-year period.

AB50,2870 Section 2870. 462.04 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1389,21 462.04 Prescription or order required. A person who holds a license or limited X-ray machine operator permit under this chapter may not use diagnostic X-ray equipment on humans for diagnostic purposes unless authorized to do so by prescription or order of a physician licensed under s. 448.04 (1) (a), a naturopathic doctor licensed under s. 466.04 (1), a dentist who is licensed under s. 447.04 (1) or who holds a compact privilege under subch. II of ch. 447, a dental therapist licensed under s. 447.04 (1m), a podiatrist licensed under s. 448.63, a chiropractor licensed under s. 446.02, an advanced practice registered nurse certified licensed under s. 441.16 (2) 441.09, a physician assistant who is licensed under s. 448.974 or who holds a compact privilege under subch. XIII of ch. 448, or, subject to s. 448.56 (7) (a), a physical therapist who is licensed under s. 448.53 or who holds a compact privilege under subch. XI of ch. 448.

AB50,2871 Section 2871. 462.05 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1390,3 462.05 (1) The renewal date for licenses and limited X-ray machine operator permits granted under this chapter is specified in shall be as determined by the department under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

AB50,2872 Section 2872. 466.04 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1390,9 466.04 (3) (a) (intro.) The renewal date for licenses granted under this chapter is specified shall be as determined by the department under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department. The application shall include all of the following in order for the license to be renewed:

AB50,2873 Section 2873. 470.045 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1390,14 470.045 (3) (b) The renewal date for certificates of authorization under this section is specified shall be as determined by the department under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fee for such certificates is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

AB50,2874 Section 2874. 470.07 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1390,22 470.07 Renewal of licenses. The renewal dates for licenses granted under this chapter are specified shall be as determined by the department under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and evidence satisfactory to the appropriate section of the examining board that the applicant has completed any continuing education requirements specified in rules promulgated under s. 470.03 (2).

AB50,2875 Section 2875. 480.08 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1391,9 480.08 (5) Expiration and renewal. The renewal date for certificates granted under this chapter, other than temporary certificates granted under sub. (7), is specified shall be as determined by the department under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fee for certificates granted under this chapter, other than temporary certificates granted under sub. (7), is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). Renewal applications shall include evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant holds a current permit issued under s. 77.52 (9). A renewal application for an auctioneer certificate shall be accompanied by proof of completion of continuing education requirements under sub. (6).

AB50,2876 Section 2876. 563.13 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1391,14 563.13 (4) A $10 $20 license fee for each bingo occasion proposed to be conducted and $5 $10 for an annual license for the designated member responsible for the proper utilization of gross receipts. All moneys received under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (8) (jn).

AB50,2877 Section 2877. 563.135 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1391,19 563.135 (1) (intro.) An application for a license to conduct bingo for an organization listed under s. 563.11 (1) (b) to (d) shall be accompanied by a $5 $10 license fee and a sworn statement by the owner or operator of the organization that all of the following rules shall apply to bingo conducted by the organization:

AB50,2878 Section 2878. 563.80 (1) (intro.) and (b) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 563.80 (1) and amended to read:

AB50,1392,2 563.80 (1) An occupational tax is imposed on those gross receipts of any licensed organization which are derived from the conduct of bingo, in the following amounts: (b) Two amount of 2 percent of the gross receipts received by a licensed organization during a year that exceed $30,000.

AB50,2879 Section 2879. 563.80 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB50,2880 Section 2880. 563.92 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1392,14 563.92 (2) The fee for a raffle license shall be $25 $50 and shall be remitted with the application. A raffle license shall be valid for 12 months and may be renewed as provided in s. 563.98 (1g). The department shall issue the license within 30 days after the filing of a complete application if the applicant qualifies under s. 563.907 and has not exceeded the limits of s. 563.91. The department shall notify the applicant within 15 days after it is filed if the raffle license application is incomplete or the application shall be considered complete. A complete license application that is not denied within 30 days after its filing shall be considered approved. All moneys received by the department under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.505 (8) (jn).

AB50,2881 Section 2881. 601.25 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1392,19 601.25 Office of the public intervenor. (1) The office of the public intervenor shall assist individuals with insurance claims, policies, appeals, and other legal actions to pursue insurance coverage for medical procedures, prescription medications, and other health care services.

AB50,1392,24 (2) The office of the public intervenor may levy an assessment on each insurer that is authorized to engage in the business of insurance in this state. The assessment levied under this subsection shall be based on the insurer’s premium volume for disability insurance policies, as defined in s. 632.895 (1) (a), written in this state.

AB50,1393,2 (3) The commissioner may provide by rule for the governance, duties, and administration of the office of the public intervenor.

AB50,2882 Section 2882. 601.31 (1) (mv) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1393,6 601.31 (1) (mv) For initial issuance or renewal of a license as a pharmacy benefit management broker or consultant under s. 628.495, amounts set by the commissioner by rule.

AB50,2883 Section 2883. 601.31 (1) (nv) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1393,9 601.31 (1) (nv) For issuing or renewing a license as a pharmaceutical representative under s. 632.863, an amount to be set by the commissioner by rule.

AB50,2884 Section 2884. 601.31 (1) (nw) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1393,13 601.31 (1) (nw) For issuing or renewing a license as a pharmacy services administrative organization under s. 632.864, an amount to be set by the commissioner by rule.

AB50,2885 Section 2885. 601.41 (14) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1393,20 601.41 (14) Value-based diabetes medication pilot project. The commissioner shall develop a pilot project to direct a pharmacy benefit manager, as defined in s. 632.865 (1) (c), and a pharmaceutical manufacturer to create a value- based, sole-source arrangement to reduce the costs of prescription medication used to treat diabetes. The commissioner may promulgate rules to implement this subsection.

AB50,2886 Section 2886. 601.45 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1394,6 601.45 (1) Costs to be paid by examinees. The reasonable costs of examinations and audits under ss. 601.43, 601.44, 601.455, and 601.83 (5) (f) shall be paid by examinees except as provided in sub. (4), either on the basis of a system of billing for actual salaries and expenses of examiners and other apportionable expenses, including office overhead, or by a system of regular annual billings to cover the costs relating to a group of companies, or a combination of such systems, as the commissioner may by rule prescribe. Additional funding, if any, shall be governed by s. 601.32. The commissioner shall schedule annual hearings under s. 601.41 (5) to review current problems in the area of examinations.

AB50,2887 Section 2887. 601.455 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1394,9 601.455 Fair claims processing, health insurance transparency, and claim denial rate audits. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB50,1394,15 (a) “Claim denial” means the refusal by an insurer to provide payment under a disability insurance policy for a service, treatment, or medication recommended by a health care provider. “Claim denial” includes the prospective refusal to pay for a service, treatment, or medication when a disability insurance policy requires advance approval before a prescribed medical service, treatment, or medication is provided.

AB50,1394,16 (b) “Disability insurance policy” has the meaning given in s. 632.895 (1) (a).

AB50,1394,17 (c) “Health care provider” has the meaning given in s. 146.81 (1) (a) to (p).

AB50,1394,20 (2) Claims processing. (a) Insurers shall process each claim for a disability insurance policy within a time frame that is reasonable and prevents an undue delay in an insured’s care, taking into account the medical urgency of the claim.

AB50,1394,24 (b) If an insurer determines additional information is needed to process a claim for a disability insurance policy, the insurer shall request the information from the insured within 5 business days of making the determination and shall provide at least 15 days for the insured to respond.

AB50,1395,1 (c) All claim denials shall include all of the following:

AB50,1395,3 1. A specific and detailed explanation of the reason for the denial that cites the exact medical or policy basis for the denial.

AB50,1395,6 2. A copy of or a publicly accessible link to any policy, coverage rules, clinical guidelines, or medical evidence relied upon in making the denial decision, with specific citation to the provision justifying the denial.

AB50,1395,9 3. Additional documentation, medical rationale, or criteria that must be met or provided for approval of the claim, including alternative options available under the policy.

AB50,1395,12 (d) If an insurer uses artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making in processing a claim for a disability insurance policy, the insurer must notify the insured in writing of that fact. The notice shall include all of the following:

AB50,1395,15 1. A disclosure that artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making was used at any stage in reviewing the claim, even if a human later reviewed the outcome.

AB50,1395,18 2. A detailed explanation of how the artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making reached its decision, including any factors the artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making weighed.

AB50,1395,20 3. A contact point for requesting a human review of the claim if the claim was denied.

AB50,1395,23 (3) Independent review of denials. In addition to an insured’s right to an independent review under s. 632.835, as applicable, insureds have the right to request a review by the office of the public intervenor of any claim denial.

AB50,1396,2 (4) Prohibited practices. An insurer may not do any of the following with respect to a disability insurance policy:

AB50,1396,3 (a) Use vague or misleading policy terms to justify a claim denial.

AB50,1396,4 (b) Fail to provide a specific and comprehensible reason for a claim denial.

AB50,1396,6 (c) Cancel coverage under the policy after a claim is submitted due to alleged misstatements on the policy application.

AB50,1396,8 (d) Deny a claim based on hidden or ambiguous exclusions in a disability insurance policy.

AB50,1396,9 (e) Stall review of a claim to avoid timely payment.

AB50,1396,11 (f) Reject a claim without reviewing all relevant medical records or consulting qualified experts.

AB50,1396,13 (g) Fail to properly review or respond to an insured’s appeal in a timely manner.

AB50,1396,15 (h) Allow non-physician personnel to determine whether care is medically necessary.

AB50,1396,17 (i) Apply different medical necessity criteria based on financial interests rather than patient needs.

AB50,1396,19 (j) Disregard a treating health care provider’s medical assessment without a valid clinical reason.

AB50,1396,21 (k) Mandate prior approval for routine or urgent procedures in a manner that causes harmful delays.

AB50,1396,24 (L) For a disability insurance policy that provides coverage of emergency medical services, refuse to cover emergency medical services provided by out-of- network providers.

AB50,1397,2 (m) List a health care provider as in-network on a provider directory and then deny a claim by stating the health care provider is out-of-network.

AB50,1397,4 (n) Deny coverage based on age, gender, disability, or a chronic condition rather than medical necessity.

AB50,1397,6 (o) Apply stricter standards in reviewing claims related to mental health conditions than claims related to physical health conditions.

AB50,1397,8 (p) Perform a blanket denial of claims for high-cost conditions without an individualized review of each claim.

AB50,1397,9 (r) Reclassify a claim to a lower-cost treatment to reduce insurer payout.

AB50,1397,11 (s) Require an insured to fail a cheaper treatment before approving coverage for necessary care.

AB50,1397,12 (t) Manipulate cost-sharing rules to shift higher costs to insureds.

AB50,1397,17 (5) Transparency and reporting. (a) Beginning on January 1, 2027, an insurer shall annually publish a report detailing the insurer’s claim denial rates, reasons for claim denials, and the outcome of any appeal of a claim denial for the previous year for all disability insurance policies under which the insurer provides coverage.

AB50,1397,19 (b) The commissioner shall maintain a public database of insurers’ claim denial rates and the outcomes of independent reviews under s. 632.835.

AB50,1397,23 (c) Beginning on January 1, 2027, an insurer that uses artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making in claims processing shall annually publish a report detailing all of the following for the previous year for all disability insurance policies under which the insurer provides coverage:

AB50,1398,2 1. The percentage of claims submitted to the insurer that were reviewed by artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making.

AB50,1398,5 2. The claim denial rate of claims reviewed by artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making compared to the claim denial rate of claims reviewed by humans.

AB50,1398,7 3. The steps the insurer takes to ensure fairness and accuracy in decisions made by artificial intelligence or algorithmic decision-making.

AB50,1398,11 (6) Claim denial rate audits. (a) The commissioner may conduct an audit of an insurer if the insurer’s claim denials are of such frequency as to indicate a general business practice. This paragraph is supplemental to and does not limit any other powers or duties of the commissioner.

AB50,1398,13 (b) The commissioner may collect any relevant information from an insurer that is necessary to conduct an audit under par. (a).

AB50,1398,15 (c) The commissioner may contract with a 3rd party to conduct an audit under par. (a).

AB50,1398,20 (d) The commissioner may, based on the findings of an audit under par. (a), order the insurer who is the subject of the audit to comply with a corrective action plan approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall specify in any corrective action plan under this paragraph the deadline by which an insurer must be in compliance with the corrective action plan.