By State Representative Patrick Snyder (R-Schofield)

One of the most pressing concerns facing families across Wisconsin is the cost of health care. Undergoing treatment for a medical condition can already be a very stressful time for patients and their families. Unfortunately, hat stress can skyrocket once the bill comes due.

Most health insurance plans include cost-sharing arrangements such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. These out-of-pocket costs, which have increased in recent years, are not only a financial burden on patients, but also an administrative burden on the providers who must collect them.

Guidance from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General allows providers across the country to provide “prompt-pay” discounts for copayments and deductibles under certain circumstances if the bill is paid promptly. These discounts offer relief to patient’s wallets and simplify the collections process for providers.

However, due to differing interpretations of Wisconsin state law, providers that offer these discounts in other states are hesitant to give these same discounts to patients in Wisconsin. That’s why Senator Dan Feyen and I introduced Assembly Bill 571. This bill clarifies that prompt-pay discounts are permissible in Wisconsin allowing patients and providers to take advantage of this practice that is common elsewhere in the country.

A similar bill was passed unanimously by the state Assembly last session, but unfortunately “died” in the Senate after senators abruptly ended the session due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal was re-introduced this fall, I look forward to it moving through the legislative process so Wisconsinites can finally take advantage on a nationwide industry norm that helps lower health care costs.