1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Primary Care Patient Protection Act of 2019”.
Primary Care Patient Protection Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require coverage without a deductible of certain primary care services by high deductible health plans.
2. Requirement of coverage without deductible of certain primary care services by high deductible health plans
In general— Section 223(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking “if substantially all of its coverage is coverage described in paragraph (1)(B).” and inserting the following:
“(i) substantially all of its coverage is coverage described in paragraph (1)(B), or
“(ii) such plan has a deductible for primary care services provided by a qualified provider as part of a qualified visit.”
Qualified primary care services defined— Section 223(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(6) Primary care services—The term primary care services has the meaning given such term by section 1833(x)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act, without regard to clauses (ii) and (iii) of such section.
“(7) Qualified provider—The term qualified provider means a general practitioner, family physician, general internist, obstetrician, gynecologist, pediatrician, geriatric physician, or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State laws.
“(8) Qualified visit—The term qualified visit means, with respect to an individual for a plan year, either of the first 2 visits by the individual during the year with a qualified provider who is designated by such individual as the primary care provider for such individual.”
Effective date— The amendment made by this section shall apply to plan years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.