Bills of Note: Direct Primary Care

The Assembly Committee on Small Business Development held a public hearing on Sept. 4 on a bill that would establish parameters for the practice of direct primary care (DPC) in Wisconsin.

The bill (SB 28/AB 26), authored by Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin), is largely the same as the version that passed the Assembly last session (Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 to AB 798) but failed in the Senate. The bill legally distinguishes DPC agreements from insurance under Wisconsin law. In addition, the bill would define DPC agreements under Wisconsin law and require particular consumer disclosures. Under the bill, a DPC agreement would have to state prominently that such an agreement is not health insurance and that DPC fees might not be credited towards deductibles or out-of-pocket maximum amounts under the patient’s health insurance. This session’s bill does not include the controversial pilot project for DPC in Medicaid.

Supporters of the bill include Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants, Americans for Prosperity, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, and Wisconsin Medical Society.

The Senate Committee on Health & Human Services held a public hearing on the bill on June 6.