SB 548-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
03/05/2026 0837s
23Apr2026... 1484h
2026 SESSION
26-2132
05/06
SENATE BILL 548-FN
AN ACT relative to health carrier provider contract standards.
SPONSORS: Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Rep. Miles, Hills. 12; Rep. Burroughs, Carr. 2; Rep. Telerski, Hills. 11; Rep. Nagel, Belk. 6; Rep. Spier, Hills. 6
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill allows the insurance commissioner to hold an informational public hearing when a health carrier ends a provider contract affecting 1,000 or more patients, requires continued access to the provider for a limited period; requires written notice of the contract termination; and authorizes the insurance department to adopt rules regarding notice of termination of provider contracts.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/05/2026 0837s
23Apr2026... 1484h 26-2132
05/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to health carrier provider contract standards.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Managed Care Law; Public Hearing Regarding Termination of Provider Contract; When Required. Amend RSA 420-J by inserting after section 7-e the following new section:
420-J:7-f Public Hearing Regarding Termination of Provider Contract; When Authorized.
I. The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, hold a public hearing within 15 business days after receiving notice that a health carrier intends to terminate a contract with a provider when such termination will affect 1,000 or more covered persons. Any hearing held pursuant to this section shall be informational in nature and shall not constitute approval, disapproval, or review of the contract termination. The purpose of the hearing shall be limited to receiving information and testimony regarding the potential effect of the contract termination on access to care in the affected community, including access to quality and affordable physical and mental health care services.
II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the commissioner to require continuation, modification, or renegotiation of a provider contract.
III. For purposes of this section, a health carrier's obligation to notify the commissioner of a provider contract termination shall be satisfied in accordance with existing notice requirements under this chapter.
2 Managed Care Law; Provider Contract Standards. RSA 420-J:8, XI is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
XI.(a) Every contract entered into after July 1, 2003, between a health carrier and any physician or facility shall include a provision ensuring that covered persons have continued access to the provider in the event the contract is terminated for any reason other than unprofessional conduct.
(b) Such continued access shall be provided for a period of 60 days from the effective date of contract termination and shall be furnished and reimbursed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covered person's health benefit plan and the prior contract between the health carrier and the provider.
(c) Within 5 business days of the contract termination, the health carrier shall provide written notice to affected covered persons explaining their continued access rights and stating whether the commissioner has elected to hold a public hearing pursuant to RSA 420-J:7-f.
(d) The commissioner may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to further specify the content of and process for providing notice to consumers when a contract is terminated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2132
04/24/2026
SB 548-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1484h)
AN ACT relative to health carrier provider contract standards.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county
and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Insurance Department
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 20, 2026 | 2026-0837s |
| April 16, 2026 | 2026-1484h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 5, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 1, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| April 15, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| April 15, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
May 7, 2026: Sen. Rochefort Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
May 19, 2026: Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11
May 7, 2026: Sen. Rochefort Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
May 19, 2026: Referred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11
April 23, 2026: Referred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11
April 23, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1484h: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11
April 23, 2026: Amendment # 2026-1484h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11
April 16, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1484h 04/15/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC)
April 8, 2026: Executive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 229
April 8, 2026: Subcommittee Work Session: 04/14/2026 10:00 am GP 229
April 1, 2026: Subcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
March 24, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/01/2026 01:45 pm GP 229
March 16, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8
March 5, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0837s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
Feb. 24, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-0837s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
Feb. 20, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0837s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
Feb. 19, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0837s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
Dec. 15, 2025: Hearing: 01/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 47
Nov. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1