Today, a new law takes effect in Georgia regarding health insurance companies.

The Consumer Access to Contracted Healthcare Act, or CATCH Act, requires several things of insurance providers, such as maintaining a sufficient number of primary care physicians, specialty doctors, pharmacies, and labs in their network, as well as mental health and substance abuse care providers. It also will prohibit health insurance companies from denying preauthorization for treatment from an in-network doctor because the referring doctor was not in-network.

The law will also prevent insurance companies from treating tele-health care differently from in-person care.  Violators will face fines of up to $5,000 per day – per incident.