Direct primary care bill passed

A bill that specifies the requirements of direct primary care agreements was given final approval March 24.

LB817, sponsored by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, adopts the Direct Primary Care Agreement Act and confirms that such agreements do not constitute insurance or function as qualified health plans pursuant to any federal mandate.

Among other provisions, the bill stipulates that a practitioner in a direct primary care agreement is prohibited from billing a patient for primary care services provided under the contract. It also requires a practitioner to provide 60 days’ notice in advance of any changes to the contract.

LB817 passed on a 48-0 vote.