DelawareHealth plans must set minimum physician-level rates for nurse anesthetist services
Starting with policies and plan documents handled after December 31, 2026, Delaware health plans must pay nurse anesthetists at least the physician rate for the same covered service.
What it does
For covered services they are licensed to perform, certified registered nurse anesthetists must receive at least the physician rate. Plans may still vary rates based on quality or performance.
Argument forPhysician-level minimum rates could make it easier for plans to reimburse nurse anesthetists for covered services they are licensed to provide.
Argument againstRequired minimum rates could increase plan payment obligations for these services, which may put upward pressure on insurance costs.
More detail
Health insurers, state employee plans, and carriers must reimburse covered services from certified registered nurse anesthetists at no less than the rate paid to physicians for the same service. This covers individual and group insurance, state employee plans, and Medicaid-related plans when they cover a service that the nurse anesthetist is licensed to perform under Title 24. Plans may still use different reimbursement rates based on quality or performance measures. The requirement applies to policies, contracts, and certificates issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended, or reissued after December 31, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 31Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jun 30Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENTPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 25Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 24Assigned to Finance Committee in SenateMinor
- Jun 24Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 6 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 18Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 18Passed By House. Votes: 41 YESPassed House
- Jun 16Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 5 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 16Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 5 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 10Assigned to Appropriations Committee in HouseMinor
- Jun 9Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 2 Favorable, 7 On Its MeritsMinor
- May 21Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in HouseIntroduced
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