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PRINTER'S NO. 3671
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2648
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, FLOOD, D. WILLIAMS, BELLMON, KRAJEWSKI,
WAXMAN, KINKEAD, FRANKEL, SIEGEL, RIVERA, SCOTT,
M. MACKENZIE, SALISBURY, WEBSTER, GUENST, BOROWSKI, GREEN,
BRENNAN AND PARKER, JUNE 17, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
UTILITIES, JUNE 23, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in regulation of insurers and related persons
generally, providing for health insurance alteration
prohibitions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 40 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 31
HEALTH INSURANCE ALTERATION PROHIBITIONS
Sec.
3101. Definitions.
3102. Prohibited acts.
§ 3101. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Biological product." As defined in 42 U.S.C. § 262
(relating to regulation of biological products).
"Covered person." A policyholder, subscriber or other
individual who is entitled to receive health care services under
a health insurance policy.
"Department." The Insurance Department of the Commonwealth.
"Health care provider." An individual who is authorized to
practice some component of the healing arts by a license,
permit, certificate or registration issued by a Commonwealth
licensing agency or board.
"Health care service." A covered treatment, admission,
procedure, medical supplies and equipment or other service,
including behavioral health, prescribed or otherwise provided or
proposed to be provided by a health care provider to a covered
person for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure or relief
of a health condition, illness, injury or disease under the
terms of a health insurance policy.
"Health insurance policy." An individual or group insurance
policy, subscriber contract, certificate or plan issued by an
insurer that provides medical or health care coverage, including
emergency services. The term does not include:
(1) An accident only policy.
(2) A credit only policy.
(3) A long-term care or disability income policy.
(4) A specified disease policy.
(5) A Medicare supplement policy.
(6) A TRICARE policy, including a Civilian Health and
Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)
supplement policy.
(7) A fixed indemnity policy.
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(8) A hospital indemnity policy.
(9) A dental only policy.
(10) A vision only policy.
(11) A workers' compensation policy.
(12) An automobile medical payment policy.
(13) A homeowners' insurance policy.
(14) A short-term limited duration policy.
(15) Any other policy providing for limited benefits.
"Health insurer." An entity licensed by the department that
offers, issues or renews an individual or group health insurance
policy that is offered or governed under any of the following:
(1) Chapter 61 (relating to hospital plan corporations)
or 63 (relating to professional health services plan
corporations).
(2) The act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as
The Insurance Company Law of 1921 .
(3) The act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364),
known as the Health Maintenance Organization Act.
"Prescription drug." A controlled substance, drug, including
a biological product, or device for medication prescribed or
dispensed by order of a health care provider.
§ 3102. Prohibited acts.
(a) Alteration of coverage.--A health insurer may not alter
the coverage provided by a health insurance policy during the
term of a health insurance policy for a health care service that
was included in the covered person's health insurance policy,
including the period when the covered person has received the
health care service. The alterations under this section include
increasing:
(1) A premium.
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(2) A copayment.
(3) Coinsurance.
(4) A deductible.
(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not apply to a health
care service:
(1) Obtained by a covered person through fraudulent or
criminal activity.
(2) Subject to:
(i) a statement issued by the United States Food and
Drug Administration calling into question the clinical
safety of the benefit; or
(ii) a notice provided by the manufacturer of a
prescription drug to the United States Food and Drug
Administration related to a manufacturing discontinuance
or potential discontinuance of the drug.
(c) Penalties.--A violation of this chapter shall be deemed
a violation of the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387),
known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law,
and the act of July 22, 1974 (P.L.589, No.205), known as the
Unfair Insurance Practices Act. Nothing in this chapter shall
preclude a covered person from exercising any right provided
under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. A
civil penalty of up to $1,000 shall be imposed on a health
insurer who violates this section.
(d) Scope.--This section shall apply only to a health
insurance policy issued by a health insurer licensed by the
department.
(e) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to:
(1) Affect or inhibit the applicability of any provision
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of the act of November 24, 1976 (P.L.1163, No.259), known as
the Generic Equivalent Drug Law.
(2) Prohibit a health insurer from adding coverage for a
health care service during the term of a health insurance
policy.
(3) Apply to any of the following:
(i) A self-funded employer-sponsored health benefit
plan governed by 29 U.S.C. Ch. 18 (relating to employee
retirement income security program).
(ii) An employer acting in its capacity as a plan
sponsor.
(iii) A health benefit arrangement not subject to
regulation by the department.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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