BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA

HCR · Health Issues

H.R. 4710, No Surprises Act Enforcement Act - federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) reform, claim eligibility requirements, timely payment of arbitration awards, qualifying payment amount (QPA), IDR entity oversight, transparency, and enforcement. H.R. 8765, Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026 - federal primary care spending, rural healthcare access, support for independent physician practices, and healthcare affordability. Federal healthcare policy relating to home health services, rural healthcare workforce shortages, medical loss ratio (MLR), vertical integration, provider consolidation, and healthcare competition.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 4710, H.R. 8765

MMM · Medicare/Medicaid

Federal Medicare and Medicaid policy, including Medicaid rural health transformation funding, rural healthcare access, provider reimbursement, independent physician practices, and healthcare workforce needs. Medicare claim eligibility issues involving the federal No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution (IDR) process.

PHA · Pharmacy

H.R. 8270, Every Dollar Counts Act of 2026 - Prescription drug affordability, crediting qualifying cash-pay and discount-card prescription drug purchases toward health plan deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices, covered-drug verification, claims administration, and implementation requirements.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 8270

TAX · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

Federal legislation concerning the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, including the impact on health insurance affordability, Marketplace enrollment, premiums, and coverage in North Carolina.