SELF-FUNDED HEALTHCARE PLANS ELECTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURPRISE BILLING CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

DIRECTIVE 22-EX-5 TO: SELF-FUNDED HEALTHCARE PLANS IN GEORGIA FROM: JOHN F. KING INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER DATE: JULY 1, 2022 RE: SELF-FUNDED HEALTHCARE PLANS ELECTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURPRISE BILLING CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT ______________________________________________________________________________ HB 234 was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on April 29, 2021, and became effective on the same date. Section 3 of HB 234 amended O.C.G.A. § 33-20F et. seq. to allow self-funded healthcare plans operating in Georgia to elect to participate in the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act. O.C.G.A. § 33-20F-2 (b) requires that “A self-funded healthcare plan that elects to participate in the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act shall provide notice to the Commissioner of its election decision on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.” A copy of the form to be used by self-funded healthcare plans who wish to opt into the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act can be found HERE. Once completed, these forms should be sent to the Administrative Procedure Division via the following email address: AdminProc@oci.ga.gov. _____________________________________________ JOHN F. KING INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER STATE OF GEORGIA