Within the Effort to Reduce Health Insurance, More Mandates

States can impose mandates at will on health insurors regarding what must be covered within all plans, regardless of whether the insured might want to pay for that coverage. During the past session, the Wisconsin Legislature added mandatory coverage of: “mental health parity,” autism, contraceptives, dependent care, hearing aids/cochlear implants, and colorectal screening.
Wisconsin still remains one of very few states not to allow state tax deductions for employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts.

On the Good Side: In March, the legislature enacted a Disclosure of Health Care Costs by Providers that will provide some simple disclosure in the future.