Insurance study of unmet health needs

NORTH DAKOTA Health Insurance : The legislature adjourned on May 5 as the Governor signed into law a measure establishing an autism task force and a Department of Insurance study of unmet health needs, including an assessment of under- and uninsured residents. A new law will allow the high-risk pool to now admit people who have reached the lifetime maximum on their health insurance coverage. Another bill requires the Secretary of the State to establish a health care record registry in which health records may be filed and accessed, with the permission of the patient. The Governor also signed a measure prohibiting insurance companies from basing compensation on the number of health insurance claims denied or policies cancelled. Legislation that was defeated included a standard provider contract, an assignment of benefit law, children's health insurance buy-in and premium assistance programs, an increase in the family income requirements for eligibility in SCHIP, and medical loss ratio limits and disclosure.