By December 1, 2012, the commissioner shall submit a study of direct care practices to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives. The study shall include an analysis of the extent to which direct care practices:

     (1) Improve or reduce access to primary health care services by recipients of medicare and medicaid, individuals with private health insurance, and the uninsured;

     (2) Provide adequate protection for consumers from practice bankruptcy, practice decisions to drop participants, or health conditions not covered by direct care practices;

     (3) Increase premium costs for individuals who have health coverage through traditional health insurance;

     (4) Have an impact on a health carrier's ability to meet network adequacy standards set by the commissioner or state health purchasing agencies; and

     (5) Cover a population that is different from individuals covered through traditional health insurance.

     The study shall also examine the extent to which individuals and families participating in a direct care practice maintain health coverage for health conditions not covered by the direct care practice. The commissioner shall recommend to the legislature whether the statutory authority for direct care practices to operate should be continued, modified, or repealed.

[2007 c 267 § 14.]