Stop Midyear Health Plan Changes

April 9, 2018

Recently I joined patients and medical providers at a legislative breakfast to call for legislation prohibiting midyear health insurance plan changes. This practice, known as “non-medical switching,” is when prescription coverage changes mid-year, even though consumers are already locked into their health plans. This ends up costing patients more money and jeopardizing their medical treatment. Health insurance companies should have to honor their contracts just like any other business.

I'm sponsoring Senate Bill 379, which would help protect Connecticut families by requiring health insurers to give a 60-day notice when benefits change. However, this bill does not prevent insurers from making mid-year changes to begin with, and I support strengthening the legislation to prohibit the practice altogether.

The breakfast was organized by the U.S. Pain Foundation, which advocates for individuals living with conditions causing chronic pain.