Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletic Trainers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel debates bill to let athletic trainers bill insurers; sponsors say it expands access, insurers raise cost and scope concerns
Summary
Supporters told lawmakers HB 19 65 would recognize licensed athletic trainers as billable providers to expand access; insurers and some committee members asked whether the change would duplicate school contracts, increase costs, or blur lines with physical therapy. The hearing ended with no committee vote.
Representative Tara Peters presented House Bill 19 65, which would add athletic trainers to the definition of practitioners eligible for insurer payment and require payment within 30 days of receipt of a complete claim. Peters told the committee the measure is intended to allow athletic trainers to bill for services already authorized under Missouri scope-of-practice law.
Jay Hoffman, a practicing athletic trainer and president-elect of the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association, testified the bill is primarily a provider-recognition measure that would expand patient choice and access, especially in rural areas. "This bill gives athletic trainers a seat at the table," Hoffman said, describing education and licensure requirements and saying other states have enacted similar laws.
Supporters emphasized that athletic trainers are licensed, complete accredited education and national certification, and typically work under the direction of a physician. Michael Hudson, a licensed athletic trainer and professor at Missouri State University, said athletic trainers work in high schools, colleges and clinic settings and that credentialing would let health systems employ them more widely.
Committee members asked detailed questions about scenarios where athletic trainers already provide event or contract coverage in schools: would those services be billed in addition to existing contracts (a so-called "double-dip")? Witnesses responded that contracted services generally remain salary-covered and billing would apply in clinic or employer-reimbursed settings. Members also asked whether athletic trainers would diagnose or order imaging; witnesses said formal medical diagnoses are made by physicians and athletic trainers work under physician direction.
Opponents included a Blue Cross and Blue Shield representative who said carriers had not seen data showing athletic trainers produce better outcomes or lower cost than physical therapists, and the Missouri Insurance Coalition, which urged clarifying the statutory scope under chapter 334 before changing insurer obligations. "They couldn't provide any information to show us that, hey, as an athletic trainer, I have a better outcome on your members," a Blue Cross representative told the panel.
The committee concluded the hearing with questions unresolved about payment pathways, employer contracts, and the relation of the bill to existing insurer credentialing. No committee vote on HB 19 65 was recorded during the public hearing; the chair closed the testimony and moved on to other items and eventual executive action on several related bills in session.
