This bill requires a defined network plan or preferred provider plan to make
available a current directory of health care providers in the plan’s network of
providers to anyone considering enrollment in the plan and to the plan’s enrollees at
least annually. Defined network plans and preferred provider plans are types of
managed care organizations that provide health care benefits to their enrollees. The
bill requires the plan to maintain a current provider directory on its website, to
ensure that the directory on the site is updated at least quarterly, and to ensure that
the public may view the provider directory on the site without creating or accessing
an account or entering a policy or contract number. A plan is also required by the bill
to provide information in each electronic and print directory on providers for each of
the plan’s covered services, to prominently indicate in each electronic and print
directory which providers are accepting new patients at the time the directory is
updated, and to accommodate with each electronic and print directory the
communication needs of persons with disabilities and persons with limited English
proficiency.