RD34 - 2012 Annual Report of the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits


Executive Summary:
Authority and History

The Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits (Advisory Commission) was created in 1990 to evaluate the social and financial impact and medical efficacy of existing and proposed mandated health insurance benefits and providers. Sections 2.2-2503 through 2.2-2505 of the Code of Virginia provide for the establishment and organization of the Advisory Commission. Section 2.2-2503 requires that the Advisory Commission report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the interim activity and the work of the Commission no later than the first day of the regular session of the General Assembly.

Issues Referred to the Advisory Commission in 2012

Two bills were referred to the Advisory Commission by the 2012 Session of the General Assembly. Summaries of the bills are included in this report. The Advisory Commission did not schedule any meetings in 2012, however, because the issues covered by the bills referred in 2012 were impacted by federal healthcare reform legislation. The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the ACA) impacts mandated benefits in Virginia because of the requirement within the ACA for coverage of essential benefits. The Essential Health Benefits plan for Virginia has not yet been finalized. The Advisory Commission has 24 months to complete its assessments and therefore plans to meet after the 2013 legislative session to review the proposed bills. Many of the issues related to Essential Health Benefits and state mandated benefits should be resolved by that time.