Delaware strengthens primary care spending

As part of his affordability agenda, Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed legislation to make permanent a requirement on insurers to spend at least a minimum level on primary care. The primary care services measure, SB 1, will establish minimum primary care spending for carriers, with the state monitoring the uptake and compliance program.

The bill requires state-regulated insurance carriers to spend at least 11.5% of their total medical care costs on primary care, with 5% of this spending directed through prospective primary care management payments. In addition, carriers must offer value-based care (VBC) programs and are prohibited from denying contracted providers the opportunity to participate in an offered VBC program if the provider is willing to accept the standard terms and conditions.

Carriers with more than 5,000 covered lives will need to demonstrate progress toward value-based goals.