The Academy is cosponsor of California Bill AB 937, which will require risk-adjusted reimbursement rates for HIV specialists. The bill has passed the California Assembly and is now headed for the Senate and the Governor's desk.

What defines an HIV specialist has become a key part of the debate surrounding the bill, highlighting the importance of the Academy's definition of an HIV specialist. It will continue to be a difficult uphill battle, with strong opposition from the health plans. But we are hopeful that our strategy will prevail.

Why is this important to all of our members? Requirements in California, the largest health care market in the country, often serve as templates for legislation in other states. Bill AB 937 establishes a precedent that HIV specialists should be paid appropriately for the services they provide. If health plans are paying risk-adjusted rates in one area of the country, you can argue that they can pay them in your area.

Back to The Nexus Summer 2001 contents page.