Rep. Dave Nagel

Maddy summaryThis bill reestablishes a committee to study non-drug treatment options for patients suffering from chronic pain. The committee will be composed of seven state legislators and tasked with designing a pilot program that encourages patient-centered care while keeping costs low and using existing medical networks. Its specific duties include researching payment models for state health programs, investigating funding opportunities, and creating educational resources for doctors to better integrate these treatments. The group must submit an interim report by November 2024 and a final report by November 2025, which may include recommendations for new laws based on their findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the duties of the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to better support individuals with pain and substance use disorders. Specifically, it directs the commission to fund programs for students and families affected by opioid use, support harm reduction initiatives, and assist patients who have been forced to undergo non-consensual dose reductions or detoxification. The legislation also mandates that the commission help increase access to comprehensive integrative pain management, which combines various medical and non-medical approaches to address a patient's overall well-being. These changes aim to provide more resources for both acute and chronic pain patients, including those in hospice or palliative care, while ensuring services are person-centered.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption for out-of-state doctors who treat patients in New Hampshire, allowing them to practice there without full state licensure. To qualify, the doctor must maintain an active relationship with the patient in their home state and perform in-person check-ups at least once a year, with the frequency adjusted based on the patient's specific medical needs. The law applies specifically to physicians licensed elsewhere who are providing care to New Hampshire residents under these established conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new definitions and rules for prior authorization processes used by health insurance carriers and utilization review entities in New Hampshire. It requires these organizations to create written clinical review criteria based on current medical standards and to update them at least every two years with input from practicing providers. The law mandates that prior authorization requirements be clearly published on carrier websites in plain language and that providers receive at least 60 days' notice before any new restrictions take effect. Additionally, the bill ensures that medical necessity decisions are made by qualified health care providers under the direction of a licensed medical director.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies and medical providers from forcing doctors to use electronic medical records or penalizing them financially for not doing so. It also bans carriers from mandating specific software formats or requiring data beyond basic patient identification and treatment details. On the other hand, the law requires all health carriers and providers to give patients or their legal guardians access to review their digital records within 24 hours and provide a free copy upon request. Additionally, the bill mandates that facilities create a process for addressing patient concerns about record inaccuracies and allowing for proposed corrections. These rules will take effect 60 days after the legislation is passed.