The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the organization composed of insurance regulators from every state in the nation, is expected to finalize a model law in November to help states ensure that consumers have appropriate access to healthcare providers and services.

The Network Adequacy Model Act is a draft bill that a state could use to craft legislation appropriate for its market.

The American Hospital Association voiced support to the NAIC committee for the revisions – the first in 10 years – but cautioned that it could be strengthened to ensure better access to covered services. It was recommended that the NAIC committee consider active approval of networks prior to a product going to the market, the use of quantitative measures to determine network adequacy and regulation of tiered networks to prevent discriminatory network design.

If finalized, the act should be ready for states to use as a model during their 2016 legislative sessions. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would be able to use it as it sets 2017 standards for marketplace plans.