[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6582353,"mediaKeyId","3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09","parentId",3102436,"title","Panel hears SB 292 to require Medigap access for Medicare beneficiaries under 65","audioSeconds",2400,"startMs",2369000,"endMs",4769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09&start=2369&end=4769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09/thumbnail_2369000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582353/Nevada/Panel-hears-SB-292-to-require-Medigap-access-for-Medicare-beneficiaries-under-65","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582353-30229f319924731d0bed7a62026f45ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053631&Signature=S~~gNrJVIq51powCuDvRUiVZg8mV-oQbj27Erw7ZV0qP-Kek3jy46Em2sK-XMYEMYKJnBlKPBTcLG9VoazWEePR409PVYYShivoOfdime3tCOIeF3oMQP6pHXs1VZeY11dt7~5RyCtsl8WidXPWgiD~LV2q62LVoEoXqVvpNkpyq3s55Kntj-Ewo5gYnVrbVXE39UUBCSh0G~5XkCYiO59v0-oALTgIPiMHLgSr7dHR1DVu0ELHHLziu1kZXSI~M2DmfLeN648gNilji1LrcNBx6xA7HT8MBVT37CfpE06GtqgKJARwOWzvogU6sPyNFKfobwioB4y2dAMyk7WJmLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-04-23T20:52:10.327Z","article","Sen. Roberta Lang presented Senate Bill 292 to the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee proposing that insurers who sell Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies be required to offer those policies to eligible Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 — including people who qualify for Medicare because of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or disability — with the same premium rates and protections offered to people 65 and older.

Lang said millions enroll in Medicare before age 65 due to disability or ESRD and that younger Medicare beneficiaries often face worse access and higher out-of-pocket costs. “Federal law does not require insurers to offer Medigap policies to Medicare beneficiaries under the age of 65, leaving a substantial portion of the Medicare population vulnerable to high out-of-pocket medical costs,” she said.

Pamela Zielske, Western regional advocacy director for Dialysis Patient Citizens, and other patient advocates testified in strong support. Zielske cited an actuarial report from Health Management Associates (HMA) included in the record that estimated adding the small number of under-65 ESRD beneficiaries into the Medigap pool at age-65-equivalent premium rates would raise overall premiums by roughly 0.9 percent (about $2 per month on average), while also potentially saving state Medicaid dollars by reducing asset “spend-down” among patients who otherwise qualify for Medicaid.

A Nevada dialysis patient, Charles Leizer, spoke about his need for a transplant and the upfront costs patients can face, saying the bill would “take a lot of the burden” off families and improve quality of life. Other supporters included the Nevada Donor Network, American Kidney Fund, transplant surgeons and dialysis providers who testified that Medigap access is often a requirement in transplant evaluations and can be life–saving.

Opponents including America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the Nevada Association of Health Plans said they were concerned about cost shifting within the Medigap risk pool and that beneficiaries on Medigap are often lower-income seniors who could face higher premiums if expensive ESRD cases are added to the pool without offsetting funding. AHIP noted ESRD beneficiaries incur spending several times higher than beneficiaries without ESRD and urged more flexible approaches such as limiting plan options or other premium methodologies used in some other states.

Other stakeholders — independent insurance brokers and the Division of Insurance — provided neutral testimony and offered to work with sponsors on premium methodology and implementation details. Broker testimony urged restricting access to a limited set of plans to reduce premium impacts; patient advocates urged allowing all lettered Medigap plans so patients could choose the best fit.

Key provisions summarized by Sen. Lang included a required open enrollment period (six months beginning the first month an eligible person enrolls in Medicare Part B), a prohibition on imposing preexisting-condition exclusions during that open enrollment, and a required effective open-enrollment window beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and remaining open through April 1, 2026, if the bill passes.

Committee members asked about which groups are covered; Lang and witnesses confirmed the bill covers beneficiaries qualifying because of ESRD and for disability. No committee vote was recorded during this hearing; stakeholders said they would continue discussions about premium methodology and implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/23/2025 - Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Roberta Lang presented Senate Bill 292 to the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee proposing that insurers who sell Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies be required to offer those policies to eligible Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 with the same plans and premium protections offered to people 65 and older.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6582358,"Committee hears bill to eliminate prior authorization for gynecological and obstetrical visits",1100,1234000,2334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09&start=1234&end=2334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09/thumbnail_1234000.jpg","/articles/6582358/Nevada/Committee-hears-bill-to-eliminate-prior-authorization-for-gynecological-and-obstetrical-visits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582358-4e70af5685ca0af28507f54d781eab62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053631&Signature=HGObfUk3Rn3E9-1ghX-l8gMlGzUKy4aNZBZM9n9FbbMuHfRqTgBx1CRuui7JHm4wINEvf9s124D4F3DP0hwDh4cpFPVKeRXOe-aFga1BDTU2SqSkDahaVaNGAs0M~Wy4DlPSjKVbk4~bs8EfoLk3bVFo0mENg-h69K31wuhCuLzHG7q6aw1DkxZIyPCo1SHYwcfTNCIqez~BgektqfnfkUCWkkJVwY1eSzdZrb3BTfr59YJW2lH2xrxEtxxj1KXNxOo~7SLlDAbiMpEeQ1BEIrVDMmoe7Lt~jEyhWqc8LfDTkozjb1NVAdHaU5G35BNiqGhXI5gcVCq7cXWdQnTAag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Roberta Lang presented Senate Bill 246 to the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee as a measure to increase access to gynecological and obstetrical care by removing prior-authorization and referral requirements that can delay medically necessary services.

Lang told the committee prior authorization processes can delay critical care, citing studies that show an average delay of about two weeks for cancer care and data indicating disparities: Medicare Advantage enrollees faced a 76 percent increased rate of prior authorization and patients of Asian descent a 60 percent increased risk in one study she referenced.

SB 246 would expand existing Nevada statutory requirements that allow direct access to OB/GYN services to additional plan types, including small-employer plans, fraternal benefit societies, managed-care organizations, the Public Employees’ Benefits Program, and Nevada Medicaid. The bill’s effective date is set for Jan. 1, 2026.

Committee counsel and witnesses discussed whether an OB/GYN may be designated a primary care physician under federal law. Adam Plain of the Nevada Division of Insurance corrected an earlier statement during public comment: the Affordable Care Act requires that plans allow a woman to see an OB/GYN without prior authorization, but it does not require states to define OB/GYNs as primary care physicians; Nevada currently does not do so.

The Nevada State Medical Association testified in strong support, calling prior-authorization reform a priority for patients and providers. Testimony emphasized that removing referral requirements can shorten time to specialty care for urgent women’s health issues and reduce administrative burdens on clinicians.

The Nevada Association of Health Plans said it had signed in as opposed because the bill’s drafting made it appear to be a broader prior-authorization reform; the witness asked for further discussions with the sponsor to clarify intent and implementation details. The Division of Insurance offered to provide federal citations to committee staff and to work with stakeholders on regulatory implications.

Committee members asked whether granting patients direct access was likely to increase premiums; Lang said insurers had mentioned possible price impacts and that she expected continued stakeholder conversations and potential amendments.

The hearing record does not reflect a committee vote. Senator Lang said she intends to return with an amendment and continue discussions with stakeholders.","SB 246 would let patients see an OB/GYN without prior authorization or a referral in many insured plans and extend direct-access requirements to additional plan types; supporters said it reduces delays in care and disparities while insurers urged further negotiation on cost and implementation details.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6582362,"Assembly committee hears bill to require insurer coverage for lung cancer screening",1125,112000,1237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09&start=112&end=1237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3102436-ed0e4913d5e6c8150bcaa2bbf103cc09/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6582362/Nevada/Assembly-committee-hears-bill-to-require-insurer-coverage-for-lung-cancer-screening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582362-304fde94886dc504cb6a518547389555/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053631&Signature=hqNBeolfcayc49OMYtTxLySDxPaM36jCUJ93K4LR7iPVDHdec3AWPZk0pbut~UMXLpD4WpSCwTg-PDf22~3EEy7wRaCJYPcuslnqB-KWK0p9KwL0zpPZW~fmcNrA3Szm2~z0UeoW7lHorsas2SuGzBJG~WeCDsM8CbpsVDunY~1~OpUrxoaKXLEneYXmjMD77YcpiYIhPzNR7J0Pi7SLP5zBPMi3WTP4LhygGM7gSUzS0Iu~L4gkhiCn3k8jAdD7Z2zv07iyPr0WG29V0IXbM7weEYDXhKnnU183Bjr36cysOaELM51RlMfC0fOnum6m4tbtV9kS5SZWsze1aVgDCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Roberta Lang, representing Senate District 7 in Clark County, opened the hearing on Senate Bill 387 on April 24, explaining the measure would require commercial health insurers to cover lung cancer screening and related treatment consistent with guidelines from the American Cancer Society and other nationally recognized organizations.

The bill’s sponsor and physicians testifying said earlier detection of lung cancer saves lives. “Lung cancer is curable if caught early,” said Dr. Vishesh Mehta, director of interventional pulmonology at the Lung Center of Nevada and chair of pulmonology at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas. “Low-dose CT screening…has been proven to reduce lung cancer–related mortality by up to 20 percent in high-risk patients.”

Supporters including the Nevada Oncology Society, Nevada Cancer Coalition, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the American Lung Association recommended the committee approve SB 387. They cited national statistics and research showing substantially higher 5-year survival for cancers detected at an early, localized stage than for cancers found in advanced stages.

Lang said the reprinted (amended) bill removes several earlier provisions and instead requires insurers that issue policies in Nevada to provide coverage for lung cancer screening and treatment “in accordance with the guidelines for such screenings published by the American Cancer Society” and other nationally recognized professional organizations supported by prevailing scientific data. The amendment also authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to require out-of-state policies covering Nevada residents to include the amended coverage language and to take enforcement action against insurers that fail to comply.

The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of whether American Cancer Society screening criteria create access inequities based on race, sex, or gender identity or expression, and to report recommendations to the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.

The Nevada Division of Insurance testified neutral and said its analysis treats SB 387 as providing preventive benefits comparable to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grade B recommendation for lung cancer screening and therefore would not trigger federal defrayal provisions as currently constituted. The division added that its conclusion is contingent on the outcome of a pending U.S. Supreme Court case, Braidwood Management, Inc. v. Kennedy, that could change the legal status of USPSTF recommendations and affect federal cost-sharing rules.

Committee members asked few technical questions. No formal vote was recorded during the hearing; the committee took testimony from stakeholders and closed the hearing after question-and-answer.

If enacted as amended, SB 387 would align commercial coverage for lung cancer screening with recognized screening guidelines and direct a state study of potential inequities in eligibility criteria.

Support testimony and professional statements are on the record, and a neutral analysis from the Division of Insurance is part of the hearing record.","Lawmakers heard testimony on SB 387 to require commercial insurers to cover low-dose CT lung cancer screening in line with American Cancer Society guidelines, with supporters citing improved survival from early detection and a Division of Insurance neutral note on a pending Supreme Court case that could affect federal guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel hears SB 292 to require Medigap access for Medicare beneficiaries under 65

Committee hears bill to eliminate prior authorization for gynecological and obstetrical visits

Assembly committee hears bill to require insurer coverage for lung cancer screening