Revision: Nov. 24, 2025, 9:16 a.m.
SB 548-FN - AS INTRODUCED
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
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ANALYSIS
This bill provides that, when termination of a contract between a health carrier and provider will affect 1,000 or more covered persons, the insurance commissioner will hold a hearing for the purpose of considering how the contract termination will affect access to care in the community.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
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 Required. The commissioner shall hold a public hearing within 15 business days of receiving notice that an insurer intends to terminate a contract with a provider that will affect 1,000 or more covered persons. The purpose of the hearing shall be to solicit information and testimony from the insurer, provider, and other affected parties, including members of the public, regarding the contract termination. The hearing may include testimony regarding how the contract termination will affect the community's access to quality and affordable physical and mental health care services.
2 Managed Care Law; Provider Contract Standards. Amend RSA 420-J:8, XI to read as follows:
XI. Every contract entered into after July 1, 2003 between a health carrier and any physician or facility shall contain a provision that ensures that covered persons will have continued access to the provider in the event that the contract is terminated for any reason other than unprofessional behavior. The continued access to providers shall be made available for 60 days from the date of termination of the contract and shall be provided and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covered person's health benefit plan and the prior contract between a health carrier and a health care provider. Within 5 business days of the contract termination, the health carrier and affected provider shall provide a joint written notice to affected covered persons explaining their continued access rights and provide notice that a public hearing concerning the termination will be scheduled by the insurance commissioner pursuant to RSA 400-J:7-f.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2132
11/4/25
SB 548-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to health carrier provider contract standards.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable Increase (Estimate not provided by the Department) | Indeterminable Increase (Estimate not provided by the Department) | Indeterminable Increase (Estimate not provided by the Department) | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | General Fund | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $96,000 | $132,000 | $139,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | NH Insurance Dept. Administration Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Insurance Commissioner to hold a public hearing within 15 business days when an insurer terminates a provider contract affecting 1,000 or more covered persons. It also requires insurers and providers to jointly notify affected individuals of their continued access rights and the scheduled hearing.
The New Hampshire Insurance Department states this bill will increase state expenditures from the Department’s Administration Fund. The Department anticipates the need for one additional staff position to organize and manage required hearings and notices. The estimated cost, including salary, benefits, and related expenses, is $96,000 in FY 2027, $132,000 in FY 2028, and $139,000 in FY 2029. It is assumed the position costs for FY 2028 and FY 2029 would be included in the Department’s FY 2028–FY 2029 budget request.
Health carriers would likely experience additional administrative costs associated with hearings, which could result in higher premiums and an indeterminable increase in premium tax revenue.
To the extent counties and municipalities purchase health insurance, they could see an increase in their health insurance premiums.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
New Hampshire Insurance Department