PATIENT PROTECTION ACT: This bill prohibits a health care insurer from imposing a monetary advantage or penalty that would affect the choice of the insured, when a health care provider not participating in a preferred provider organization (PPO) accepts the highest reimbursement rate available for professional and facility fees.

The measure further provides that, if a provider not participating in the PPO agrees to accept the highest reimbursement available under the agreement and performs services and procedures in a facility providing similar services available under the PPO, the provider accepts the reimbursement as payment in full without balance billing the insured. Insurers would also be required to provide timely payment to the provider.

Finally, the bill prohibits an insurer issuing health benefit plans from terminating or refusing to issue or renew a contract with a physician participating in a PPO if the reason for the denial or termination is that the physician provided the insured a referral to another physician not participating in the network.