The first four pieces of legislation enacted into law in Pennsylvania in 2009 are all health care related.
Act 1 -- the Preventable Serious Adverse Events Act. This act prohibits healthcare providers (facilities, physicians and other professionals) from seeking payment from any payor or individual for any services required to correct or treat a problem created by a preventable serious adverse event when the event occurred under their control. The act also requires health care providers who discover that payment has unknowingly been sought for such events or services to notify immediately the payor or patient and to refund any payment received within 30 days of discovery or receipt of payment, whichever is later. Any such notification will not be discoverable in a malpractice action. The act is generally effective 60 days after enactment.
Act 2 – Mini-COBRA. This act amends the insurance laws to require any health insurance policy for an employer group (of any size) to offer continuation coverage for up to nine months to any employee who has been continuously insured by that policy for three months prior to termination or other qualifying event. The premium must not exceed 105% of the group rate. The amendments take effect 30 days after enactment.
Act 3 – Reenactment of the Health Care Cost Containment Council (HC4) legislation. Modifications include clarifications regarding confidentiality of provider price data, and creation of a HC4 Review Council.
Act 4 – Amendment to Insurance Laws. This act requires insurers offering group health policies in the Commonwealth to allow coverage of dependents up to age 29, if the child (1) is not married; (2) has no dependents; (3) is a resident of Pennsylvania or is enrolled as a full time student at an institution of higher learning; and (4) is not provided coverage under any governmental health care benefits program. The insurance company may increase premiums for adult dependents past the age of 19. The act applies to new contracts and contract renewals occurring 90 days after enactment.