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Bill

SB 774

Essential health benefits benchmark plan review; members of stakeholder work group.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Surovell

Virginia creates stakeholder work group to review essential health benefits benchmark plan and recommend updates to insurance coverage standards by July 2025.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0351)
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Bill Summary · SB 774

Legislative bill overview

SB 774 establishes a stakeholder work group in Virginia to review and evaluate the state's essential health benefits (EHB) benchmark plan—the template used to define what health insurance must cover. The bill directs the work group to assess whether the current benchmark adequately covers needed services and make recommendations for potential updates, with results due to the legislature.

Why is this important

Essential health benefits directly affect what health insurance plans must include under state law, influencing coverage scope and insurance premiums for Virginia residents. The benchmark plan review could lead to expanded or modified coverage requirements, potentially affecting both consumer protections and healthcare costs. This update process allows Virginia to adapt its insurance standards as medical practices and public health needs evolve.

Potential points of contention

  • Coverage expansion costs: Recommendations to add new benefits to the EHB benchmark could increase insurance premiums for consumers and employers, raising affordability concerns
  • Stakeholder representation: The composition of the work group determines whose interests shape recommendations—insurers, providers, patient advocates, and employers may have competing priorities
  • Implementation burden: Adding new mandated benefits requires insurers to modify plans and operations, with potential market disruption or insurer exits from the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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