Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; require certain health insurers providing a network plan to approve credentialing applications within a certain time frame

1. **ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY:** This bill requires certain health insurers in Georgia to approve credentialing applications for network plans within a specified time frame. 2. **KEY REQUIREMENTS:** - Health insurers must approve credentialing applications within the established time frame. - The Department of Insurance will create a standardized credentialing application that must be used. 3. **DEADLINES:** - The effective date of the bill will be determined once it is passed and signed into law. - Businesses should prepare for compliance as soon as the bill is enacted. 4. **PENALTIES:** - Non-compliance could lead to fines or other enforcement actions by the Department of Insurance, though specific penalties are not detailed in the bill. 5. **SMB IMPACT:** Small businesses that are health insurers will need to streamline their credentialing processes to meet the new time frame, which may require additional resources or changes in procedures. This could also affect how quickly healthcare providers can join their networks.