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Parents and providers urge Senate committee to block insurer caps on home nursing for medically complex children
Summary
Senate File 502 would clarify that commercial health plans must cover home nursing to the same extent as Medical Assistance for dually enrolled patients; parents, providers and advocacy groups told the Commerce Committee insurers’ recent 10‑day caps threaten medically fragile children’s ability to remain safely at home.
Senate File 502 drew emotional testimony on March 24 as parents of medically complex children, providers and advocates told the Commerce Committee that recent insurer limits on home‑care nursing threaten children's safety and could shift substantial costs to Medicaid.
Sponsor summary: The bill would clarify the 2010 statute so that commercial health plans covering people who are also enrolled in Medical Assistance must provide home care nursing to the same extent as Medical Assistance, preventing plans from imposing annual quantity caps that advocates describe as unlawful and harmful.
Why it matters: Families and providers said the change is not a new benefit but an enforcement of legislative intent. Ken Chambers, a parent, told the panel, “Our ability to live safely in our community depends on home nursing care.” Brandon Walter, another parent, described his son’s life-sustaining dependence on 24‑hour skilled care and urged passage of the clarification to prevent hospital readmissions and family financial collapse.
Providers said commercial-plan payment rates and continuity of payment are vital to sustain the workforce that delivers hospital‑level nursing in patients’ homes. Cameo Zehnder, a pediatric home‑care advocacy leader, said agencies rely on commercially negotiated rates to pay competitive wages and warned that cuts would worsen workforce shortages and increase hospital stays.
The Department of Commerce said its enforcement team has received complaints and is responding; the department said it is neutral on the bill while investigations proceed. Insurer representatives (including Medica and Health Partners) said they recognize the importance of the service and are engaging stakeholders to find workable solutions but raised concerns about potential impacts on the individual market and Medicaid budgets.
The committee laid SF 502 over for further consideration and encouraged continued engagement between insurers, providers, counties and the Department of Human Services to identify implementation steps and any budgetary effects.
The hearing included multiple family testimonials and provider statements and the committee requested additional technical input from DHS and plan administrators before taking final action.
