The Kansas Insurance Commissioner announced yesterday that the department plans to issue regulations mandating 3d coverage starting in 2019:
http://www.ksinsurance.org/documents/department/consumer-alerts/Consumer-alert-3D-coverage-8-2-18.pdf
For those working on this issue in other states, there may be some interesting lessons. The Kansas Insurance Commissioner is an elected office. The current Commissioner is a lame duck, having run and lost in the Republican primary for Governor. I note that the announcement is attributed to his assistant, who ran in the Republican primary for Insurance Commissioner, and lost. Interesting timing, politically.
Nonetheless, it is remarkable to me that a red state Republican would mandate 3D coverage by regulation, not waiting for the legislature to act. The fact that neighboring Missouri recently mandated coverage may have played a role, as many health plans operate across the state line. However, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, which is the 800 pound gorilla outside of Kansas City, and which does not operate in Missouri usually dominates any health insurance conversation from their headquarters virtually across the street from the state capitol in Topeka, and they have long been opposed for cost reasons.
So, if you're not getting anywhere with your legislature, you might see what your friendly neighborhood insurance commissioner can do, especially if they're running for something.
David Smith, FACMPE | Executive Director | 785.393.8387
