HEALTH CARE – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding certain out-of-pocket payments for health care services.

This Idaho bill (H 529) allows health insurance policyholders to pay cash directly to providers for covered services at a negotiated discounted price, with that payment counting toward their out-of-pocket deductible and annual maximum. It requires health carriers to count such cash payments toward these limits if the patient negotiated a lower price than the insurance plan’s allowed amount and provides required documentation. The law applies to in-network or out-of-network providers but excludes dental/vision plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and certain short-term policies. Providers must accept cash as full payment and cannot bill patients or insurers for the difference. The provisions take effect July 1, 2026.