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-SB0266A -1- SB 266
- New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
+Distributed by the Office of Senator Matt Claman 3.18.2026
+Alaska State Legislature
 
-34-LS1514\A
+Senator Matt Claman
+Session: State Capitol, Rm 429 Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 465-4919
+Interim: 1500 W. Benson Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99503 Phone: 269-0130
 
- SENATE BILL NO. 266
+Senate Bill 266
+Sponsor Statement – Version A
+“An Act relating to reimbursement for non-network health insurance claims."
 
-IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
+Senate Bill 266 stabilizes Alaska’s health insurance marketplace by standardizing out-of-network
+reimbursement at 75% of the median in-network rate for the same service. This bill provides a
+predictable cost-containment measure that protects patients, supports providers, and encourages
+insurance companies to build more robust networks.
 
-THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION
+Healthcare providers recognize that out-of-network reimbursement rates are poor, unpredictable,
+and inconsistent. Standardizing the rates that out-of-network providers are paid creates a stable,
+predictable market for providers. This structure reduces patient exposure to “surprise” billing and
+balance billing, which include costs passed down from providers.
 
-BY SENATOR CLAMAN
+Insurers add buffers to premiums to account for the risk of paying large claims when out-of-
+network costs are unpredictable. Capping these costs with a market stabilizer at 75% of the
+median lowers the risk and insurers can more accurately forecast their liabilities.
 
-Introduced:  2/23/26
-Referred:  Labor and Commerce, Health and Social Services
+If an insurer and a provider don’t agree on a contract, the provider can stay out-of-network and
+bill high prices that the insurer either pays or passes onto the patient. Setting the out-of-network
+rates at 75% of the median creates a strong financial incentive for providers to move back into
+networks where they can receive the full negotiated rates. This rate gives patients more choices
+and creates better coordination of care.
 
-A BILL
+Senate Bill 266 works to provide a consistent out-of-network reimbursement rate that would pay
+providers a fair, standardized amount based on actual data. This structure has the potential to
+stabilize the market and encourage providers to move into network.
 
-FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
-
-"An Act relating to reimbursement for non-network health insurance claims." 1
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 2
-   * Section 1. AS 21.36 is amended by adding a new section to read: 3
-Sec. 21.36.497. Non-network health insurance claims. A health care insurer 4
-shall reimburse a non-network health care provider for a health care service or supply 5
-in an amount that is at least 75 percent of the median reimbursement rate paid to a 6
-network health care provider for the same health care service or supply based on the 7
-health care insurer's network rates in the state at the time of delivery of the health care 8
-service or supply. In this section, "health care insurer" has the meaning given in 9
-AS 21.54.500. 10
+The Alaskan healthcare system is complex, expensive, and unique. Senate Bill 266 will help
+establish a more stable and competitive health insurance marketplace.