School board member compensation; City of Winchester. Authorizes the City of Winchester to compensate its school boardmembers with an annual salary not to exceed $4,500.
Health insurance; payment to out-of-network providers. Provides that when an enrollee receives emergency services from an out-of-network health care provider or receives out-of-network surgical or ancillary services at an in-network facility, the enrollee is not required to pay the out-of-network provider any amount other than the applicable cost-sharing requirement and such cost-sharing requirement cannot exceed the cost-sharing requirement that would apply if the services were provided in-network. The measure also provides that the health carrier's required payment to the out-of-network provider of the services is a commercially reasonable amount based on payments for the same or similar services provided in a similar geographic area. If such provider disputes the amount to be paid by the health carrier, the measure requires the provider and the health carrier to make a good faith effort to reach a resolution on the amount of the reimbursement. If the health carrier and the provider do not agree to a commercially reasonable payment and either party wants to take further action to resolve the dispute, then the measure requires the dispute will be resolved by arbitration. The measure establishes a framework for arbitration of such disputes which includes (i) a timeline for the proceedings, (ii) a method for choosing an arbitrator, (iii) required and optional factors for the arbitrator to consider, (iv) non-disclosure agreements, (v) reporting requirements, and (vi) an appeals process for appeals on certain procedural grounds. The measure requires the State Corporation Commission to contract with Virginia Health Information (VHI) to establish a data set and business protocols to provide health carriers, providers, and arbitrators with data to assist in determining commercially reasonable payments and resolving disputes. The measure requires the Commission, in consultation health carriers, providers, and consumers, to develop standard language for a notice of consumer rights regarding balance billing. The measure authorizes the Commission, the Board of Medicine, and the Commissioner of Health to levy fines and take action against a health carrier, health care practitioner, or medical care facility, respectively, for a pattern of violations of the prohibition against balance billing. Additionally, the measure prohibits a carrier or provider from initiating arbitration with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice. The measure provides that such provisions do not apply to an entity that provides or administers self-insured or self-funded plans; however, such entities may elect to be subject to such provisions. The measure authorizes the Commission to adopt rules and regulations governing the arbitration process. The measure has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2021. This bill incorporates SB 522 and is identical to HB 1251.
Removal of dangerous roadside conditions; local option. Authorizes any locality, by ordinance, to require the owner of any property located adjacent to a right-of-way maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove any and all trees, tree limbs, shrubs, high grass, or other substance that might dangerously obstruct the line of sight of a driver, be involved in a collision with a vehicle, or interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle. This bill is identical to HB 284.
Hospitals; emergency treatment for substanceuse-related emergencies; services. Requires the Board of Healthto amend regulations governing hospitals to require each hospitalthat provides emergency treatment to an individual experiencing asubstance use-related emergency to (i) complete a comprehensive assessmentto identify appropriate medical interventions necessary for the treatmentof the individual; (ii) complete a comprehensive behavioral healthassessment to determine whether additional treatment may be appropriate;(iii) initiate pharmacotherapy for treatment of drug or alcohol dependence,where appropriate; and (iv) provide the patient with naloxone orother opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal. Such regulationsshall also require each hospital that provides emergency treatment to an individual experiencing a substance use-related emergencyto establish and implement a protocol for connecting such patientsreceiving emergency treatment with appropriate community-based providersof behavioral health services upon discharge.
Charter; Town of Middleburg. Amends the charter of the Town of Middleburg by clarifying the powers and duties of the mayor, the town council, and the appointed town officials. This bill is identical to HB 441.
Naturopathic doctors; license required. Requires the Board of Medicine to license and regulate naturopathicdoctors, defined in the bill as an individual, other than a doctorof medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, or podiatry, who may diagnose,treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice thatis based on the natural healing capacity of individuals, using physiological,psychological, or physical methods, and who may also use natural medicines, prescriptions, legend drugs, foods, herbs, or other natural remedies, including light and air.
Speeding fines; certain roads. Adds a $15 penalty, in addition to all other penalties, for driving in excess of the posted speed limit on U.S. Routes 15 and 17 in Fauquier County, when such additional penalty is indicated by appropriately placed signs.
Virginia Public Procurement Act; architecturaland professional engineering term contracts; limitations. Increasesfrom four to five the number of times that a public body may renewa one-year term contract for architectural or professional engineeringservices related to multiple construction projects. The bill alsoadds an alternative option for public bodies to instead choose onefive-year term contract for such services with no option for renewals.The bill increases the aggregate limit for architectural and engineeringservices contracts for localities for projects performed in a one-yearcontract term from $6 million to $10 million. The bill also increasesthe aggregate limit for architectural and engineering services contractsfor environmental location, design, and inspection work regardinghighways and bridges by the Commissioner of Highways for projects performed in an initial two-year term contract from $5 million to$10 million.
Home hospice programs; disposal of drugs; opioids.Specifies that hospice policies and procedures for the disposal ofdrugs must include provisions for the safe disposal of opioids.
Comprehensive plan. Extends the time by which a governing body is required to approve or disapprove a locality-initiated comprehensive plan amendment for more than 25 parcels from 90 to 150 days. This bill is identical to HB 726.
