DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 119

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK AND HEALTH INSURERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 10312, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 10312. Definitions.

For purposes of As used in this chapter, unless amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified by regulations adopted under this chapter:

(3) “Health insurer” means as defined in § 4004 of Title 18. “Health insurer” does not include providers of casualty insurance, as defined in § 906 of Title 18; providers of group long-term care insurance or long-term care insurance, as defined in § 7103 of Title 18; or providers of a dental plan or dental plan organization, as defined in § 3802 of Title 18.

(3) “Health insurer” means as under § 4004 of Title 18.

a. “Health insurer” also includes both of the following:

1. A provider of a dental plan, as “dental plan” is defined under § 3802 of Title 18.

2. A dental plan organization, as “dental plan organization” is defined under § 3802 of Title 18 .

b. “Health insurer” does not include a provider of any of the following:

1. Casualty insurance, as “casualty insurance” is defined under § 906 of Title 18.

2. Group long-term care insurance, as “group long-term care insurance” is defined under § 7103 of Title 18.

3. Long-term care insurance, as “long-term care insurance” is defined under § 7103 of Title 18.

SYNOPSIS

This Act is a result of the 2019 report of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee’s task force under Senate Resolution No. 9 of the 150th General Assembly, which recommended requiring dental insurers to report to the Delaware Health Care Claims Database (“Database”). When the Database was created in 2016, providers of dental insurance were exempted from the mandatory reporting requirements. Dental care, however, remains an important indicator of overall health, and claims information related to dental care will help the Database continue to provide value to the State and researchers to help advance the Triple Aim Plus One, the State's goal of better health, improved health care quality and patient experience, lower growth in per capita health care costs, and an enhanced provider experience.

This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Author: Senator Gay