Bill Text: CT HB05039 | 2018 | General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Mandated Health Benefit Review And Surprise Billing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-04-09 - File Number 304 [HB05039 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2018-HB05039-Introduced.html

General Assembly

 

Governor's Bill No. 5039

February Session, 2018

 

LCO No. 403

 

*00403__________*

Referred to Committee on INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE

 

Introduced by:

 

REP. ARESIMOWICZ, 30th Dist.

REP. RITTER M., 1st Dist.

SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist.

SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist.

 

AN ACT PROTECTING HEALTH CARE FAIRNESS AND AFFORDABILITY.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2019) (a) Each individual health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 of the general statutes delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall, at a minimum, provide coverage, and not impose any cost-sharing requirements, for:

(1) Evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of "A" or "B" in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force;

(2) Immunizations that have in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved;

(3) With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration; and

(4) With respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings not described in subdivision (1) of this subsection as provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a policy described in subsection (a) of this section, or the issuer of such policy, from providing coverage for services in addition to those services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force or to deny coverage for services that are not recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a policy described in subsection (a) of this section to cover the benefits described in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section out of network, except if the issuer of such policy does not have an adequate network.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate any other provision of the general statutes.

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2019) (a) Each group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 of the general statutes delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall, at a minimum, provide coverage, and not impose any cost-sharing requirements, for:

(1) Evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of "A" or "B" in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force;

(2) Immunizations that have in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved;

(3) With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration; and

(4) With respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings not described in subdivision (1) of this subsection as provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a policy described in subsection (a) of this section, or the issuer of such policy, from providing coverage for services in addition to those services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force or to deny coverage for services that are not recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a policy described in subsection (a) of this section to cover the benefits described in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section out of network, except if the issuer of such policy does not have an adequate network.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate any other provision of the general statutes.

Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2019) (a) For each calendar month commencing on or after January 1, 2019, each applicable individual shall be liable for a shared responsibility payment in an amount determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this section for each month said individual fails to maintain minimum essential coverage. For purposes of this section, "applicable individual" shall not include any dependent of the individual who is an applicable individual.

(b) Any applicable individual who fails to maintain minimum essential coverage for one or more months in any taxable year shall be subject to a penalty for each month that such individual fails to maintain minimum essential coverage. The monthly penalty amount shall be one-twelfth of the greater of five hundred dollars or two per cent of such individual's properly reported Connecticut adjusted gross income, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of section 12-701 of the general statutes, for the taxable year that includes such month or months. The total of all monthly penalties imposed shall be the "shared responsibility payment". Any applicable individual who files a joint income tax return for a taxable year in which such individual is liable for a shared responsibility payment shall use the total Connecticut adjusted gross income as properly reported on such joint income tax return for purposes of determining the shared responsibility payment. Each applicable individual's shared responsibility payment shall be calculated separately.

(c) Each applicable individual liable for a shared responsibility payment for one or more months during a taxable year shall report such liability on such individual's Connecticut income tax return for the taxable year that includes such month or months and shall remit payment in the amount determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this section for such taxable year to the Commissioner of Revenue Services with such return. If an applicable individual is not otherwise required to file a Connecticut income tax return for a taxable year that such person is liable for a shared responsibility payment, such individual must file a Connecticut income tax return for such taxable year to report the shared responsibility payment. Any applicable individual who is liable for a shared responsibility payment in a taxable year shall not be allowed an earned income tax credit under the provisions of section 12-704e of the general statutes for such taxable year. If an applicable individual files as part of a joint income tax return for a taxable year in which such individual is liable for a shared responsibility payment, neither the applicable individual nor the applicable individual's spouse shall be allowed an earned income tax credit under the provisions of section 12-704e of the general statutes for such taxable year.

(d) The shared responsibility payment shall be added to the income tax liability of each applicable individual under chapter 229 of the general statutes and, except as set forth in this section, the provisions of sections 12-728 to 12-737, inclusive, of the general statutes shall apply to the provisions of this section in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if the language of said sections had been incorporated in full into this section and had expressly referred to the shared responsibility payment under this section, except to the extent that any such provision is inconsistent with a provision of this section. The provisions of subsection (c) of section 12-735 of the general statutes shall not apply to this section.

(e) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall deposit into the Health Care Premium Assistance Fund established under section 6 of this act all amounts, including penalties and interest, received by the state under this section.

(f) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall administer the shared responsibility payment consistent with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, and the regulations thereunder in effect as of April 15, 2017, to the extent possible and unless otherwise directed by the provisions of this section. Any term used in this section, including "minimum essential coverage", shall have the same meaning as when used in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, and the regulations thereunder in effect as of April 15, 2017, unless a different meaning is set forth in this section or the context indicates another or different meaning or intent.

(g) The shared responsibility payment authorized by this section shall only be imposed on an applicable individual in a taxable year when such individual is not subject to a shared responsibility payment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, or equivalent federal law.

(h) (1) For the purposes of this subsection, "low option benefit design" means a health insurance plan that (A) includes the state's essential health benefits as required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, (B) includes the state's mandated health benefits, and (C) is in compliance with all state and federal laws, regulations and other administrative guidance, including network adequacy, as described in section 38a-472f of the general statutes, and any associated regulations. A low option benefit design may offer alternative levels of cost-sharing including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments within allowable ranges pursuant to the AV Calculator described in 45 CFR 156.135.

(2) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this section, the provisions of this section shall be effective only when (A) federal tax credits are available pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, to individuals purchasing insurance through the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, established pursuant to section 38a-1080 et seq. of the general statutes, and (B) plans offered through the exchange for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, in the bronze and silver metal tiers created under 45 CFR 156.140 include at least one low option benefit design.

Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2019) On or before January first, annually, the Insurance Commissioner shall provide the Commissioner of Revenue Services with a list of all mandated health benefits that apply to health insurance policies delivered or issued for delivery in this state.

Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2018) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, established pursuant to section 38a-1080 et seq. of the general statutes, shall not establish any requirements concerning low option benefit design, as defined in section 3 of this act.

Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2019) There is established a fund to be known as the "Health Care Premium Assistance Fund" which shall be a separate, nonlapsing fund. The fund shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the fund. Moneys in the fund may be expended by the Insurance Commissioner in connection with the performance of such duties and responsibilities as the commissioner may be required or permitted to perform by state or federal law.

Sec. 7. Section 213 of public act 17-2 of the June special session is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

The Commissioner of Social Services, in administering the [state] medical assistance program, may offset any federal funding reductions for providers or recipients of services described in 42 USC 1396d(a)(4)(C). [, provided (1) the General Assembly approves such use of state funds in a vote scheduled not later than ninety days following notice of such federal funding reduction by the commissioner, (2)] In order to receive state funding, such services [are] must be otherwise covered by the medical assistance program, and [(3)] providers must otherwise meet the requirements of the Department of Social Services for participation and enrollment in the medical assistance program.

Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 20-7f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2019):

(b) It shall be an unfair trade practice in violation of chapter 735a for any health care provider or facility to request payment from an enrollee, other than a coinsurance, copayment [,] or deductible, [or other out-of-pocket expense,] for (1) health care services or a facility fee, as defined in section 19a-508c, covered under a health care plan, (2) emergency services covered under a health care plan and rendered by [an out-of-network] a nonparticipating health care provider, or (3) a surprise bill, as defined in section 38a-477aa, as amended by this act.

Sec. 9. Section 38a-21 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner.

(2) "Mandated health benefit" means [an existing statutory obligation of, or] proposed legislation that would require [,] an insurer, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, fraternal benefit society or other entity that offers individual or group health insurance or a medical or health care benefits plan in this state to [: (A) Permit an insured or enrollee to obtain health care treatment or services from a particular type of health care provider; (B) offer or provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis or treatment of a particular disease or condition; or (C)] offer or provide coverage for a particular type of health care treatment or service, or for medical equipment, medical supplies or drugs used in connection with a health care treatment or service. ["Mandated health benefit" includes any proposed legislation to expand or repeal an existing statutory obligation relating to health insurance coverage or medical benefits.]

(b) (1) There is established within the Insurance Department a health benefit review program for the review and evaluation of any mandated health benefit that is requested by the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to insurance. Such program shall be funded by the Insurance Fund established under section 38a-52a. The commissioner shall be authorized to make assessments in a manner consistent with the provisions of chapter 698 for the costs of carrying out the requirements of this section. Such assessments shall be in addition to any other taxes, fees and moneys otherwise payable to the state. The commissioner shall deposit all payments made under this section with the State Treasurer. The moneys deposited shall be credited to the Insurance Fund and shall be accounted for as expenses recovered from insurance companies. Such moneys shall be expended by the commissioner to carry out the provisions of this section and section 2 of public act 09-179.

(2) The commissioner [shall] may contract with The University of Connecticut Center for Public Health and Health Policy or an actuarial accounting firm to conduct any mandated health benefit review requested pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. [The director of said center may engage the services of an actuary, quality improvement clearinghouse, health policy research organization or any other independent expert, and may engage or consult with any dean, faculty or other personnel said director deems appropriate within The University of Connecticut schools and colleges, including, but not limited to, The University of Connecticut (A) School of Business, (B) School of Dental Medicine, (C) School of Law, (D) School of Medicine, and (E) School of Pharmacy.

(c) Not later than August first of each year, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to insurance shall submit to the commissioner a list of any mandated health benefits for which said committee is requesting a review. Not later than January first of the succeeding year, the commissioner shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, of the findings of such review and the information set forth in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) The review report shall include at least the following, to the extent information is available:

(1) The social impact of mandating the benefit, including:]

(c) Not later than April first of any year, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to insurance may, upon a majority vote of its members, require the commissioner to conduct one review of not more than ten mandated health benefits. The committee shall submit to the commissioner a list of the mandated health benefits to be reviewed.

(d) Not later than January first of the first calendar year following a request for review made under subsection (c) of this section, the commissioner shall submit a mandated health benefit review report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to insurance and public health. Such report shall include an evaluation of the quality and cost impacts of mandating the benefit including:

[(A)] (1) The extent to which the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, is utilized by a significant portion of the population;

[(B)] (2) The extent to which the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, is currently available to the population, including, but not limited to, coverage under Medicare, or through public programs administered by charities, public schools, the Department of Public Health, municipal health departments or health districts or the Department of Social Services;

[(C)] (3) The extent to which insurance coverage is already available for the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable;

[(D) If the coverage is not generally available, the extent to which such lack of coverage results in persons being unable to obtain necessary health care treatment;

(E) If the coverage is not generally available, the extent to which such lack of coverage results in unreasonable financial hardships on those persons needing treatment;

(F) The level of public demand and the level of demand from providers for the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable;

(G) The level of public demand and the level of demand from providers for insurance coverage for the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable;

(H) The likelihood of achieving the objectives of meeting a consumer need as evidenced by the experience of other states;

(I) The relevant findings of state agencies or other appropriate public organizations relating to the social impact of the mandated health benefit;

(J) The alternatives to meeting the identified need, including, but not limited to, other treatments, methods or procedures;

(K) Whether the benefit is a medical or a broader social need and whether it is consistent with the role of health insurance and the concept of managed care;

(L) The potential social implications of the coverage with respect to the direct or specific creation of a comparable mandated benefit for similar diseases, illnesses or conditions;

(M) The impact of the benefit on the availability of other benefits currently offered;

(N) The impact of the benefit as it relates to employers shifting to self-insured plans and the extent to which the benefit is currently being offered by employers with self-insured plans;]

[(O)] (4) The impact of making the benefit applicable to the state employee health insurance or health benefits plan; [and]

[(P)] (5) The extent to which credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community determines the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, to be safe and effective; [and]

[(2) The financial impact of mandating the benefit, including:]

[(A)] (6) The extent to which the mandated health benefit may increase or decrease the cost of the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, over the next five years;

[(B)] (7) The extent to which the mandated health benefit may increase the appropriate or inappropriate use of the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, over the next five years;

[(C)] (8) The extent to which the mandated health benefit may serve as an alternative for more expensive or less expensive treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable;

[(D)] (9) The methods that will be implemented to manage the utilization and costs of the mandated health benefit;

[(E)] (10) The extent to which insurance coverage for the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, may be reasonably expected to increase or decrease the insurance premiums and administrative expenses for policyholders;

[(F)] (11) The extent to which the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, is more or less expensive than an existing treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, that is determined to be equally safe and effective by credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community;

[(G)] (12) The impact of insurance coverage for the treatment, service or equipment, supplies or drugs, as applicable, on the total cost of health care, including potential benefits or savings to insurers and employers resulting from prevention or early detection of disease or illness related to such coverage;

[(H)] (13) The impact of the mandated health care benefit on the cost of health care for small employers, as defined in section 38a-564, and for employers other than small employers; and

[(I)] (14) The impact of the mandated health benefit on cost-shifting between private and public payors of health care coverage and on the overall cost of the health care delivery system in the state.

(e) The joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to insurance and public health shall conduct a joint informational hearing following their receipt of a mandated health benefit review report submitted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The commissioner shall attend and be available for questions from the members of the committees at such hearing.

Sec. 10. Section 38a-477aa of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2019):

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency condition" has the same meaning as "emergency medical condition", as provided in section 38a-591a;

(2) "Emergency services" means, with respect to an emergency condition, (A) a medical screening examination as required under Section 1867 of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time, that is within the capability of a hospital emergency department, including ancillary services routinely available to such department to evaluate such condition, and (B) such further medical examinations and treatment required under said Section 1867 to stabilize such individual, that are within the capability of the hospital staff and facilities;

(3) "Facility" means an institution providing health care services on an inpatient basis including, but not limited to, a hospital and other licensed inpatient center, ambulatory surgical or treatment center, skilled nursing center, residential treatment center, diagnostic, laboratory and imaging center, and rehabilitation and other therapeutic health care center;

(4) "Facility-based provider" means a health care provider who provides health care services, including, but not limited to, pathology, anesthesiology, emergency room care, radiology and laboratory services, in an inpatient or ambulatory facility setting and arranged by such facility by contract or agreement with the health care provider as part of the facility's general business operations;

[(3)] (5) "Health care plan" means an individual or a group health insurance policy or health benefit plan that provides coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469;

[(4)] (6) "Health care provider" means an individual licensed to provide health care services under chapters 370 to 373, inclusive, chapters 375 to 383b, inclusive, and chapters 384a to 384c, inclusive;

[(5)] (7) "Health carrier" means an insurance company, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, fraternal benefit society or other entity that delivers, issues for delivery, renews, amends or continues a health care plan in this state;

[(6)] (8) (A) "Surprise bill" means a bill for health care services, other than emergency services, received by an insured for services rendered by [an out-of-network] a nonparticipating health care provider, where such services were rendered by such [out-of-network] nonparticipating provider at [an in-network] a participating facility, during a service or procedure performed by [an in-network] a participating provider or during a service or procedure previously approved or authorized by the health carrier and the insured did not knowingly elect to obtain such services from such [out-of-network] nonparticipating provider.

(B) "Surprise bill" does not include a bill for health care services received by an insured when [an in-network] a participating health care provider was available to render such services and the insured knowingly elected to obtain such services from another health care provider who was [out-of-network] nonparticipating.

(b) (1) No health carrier shall require prior authorization for rendering emergency services to an insured.

(2) No health carrier shall impose, for emergency services rendered to an insured by [an out-of-network] a nonparticipating health care provider, a coinsurance, copayment [,] or deductible [or other out-of-pocket expense] that is greater than the coinsurance, copayment [,] or deductible [or other out-of-pocket expense] that would be imposed if such emergency services were rendered by [an in-network] a participating health care provider.

[(3) (A) If emergency services were rendered to an insured by an out-of-network health care provider, such health care provider may bill the health carrier directly and the health carrier shall reimburse such health care provider the greatest of the following amounts: (i) The amount the insured's health care plan would pay for such services if rendered by an in-network health care provider; (ii) the usual, customary and reasonable rate for such services; or (iii) the amount Medicare would reimburse for such services. As used in this subparagraph, "usual, customary and reasonable rate" means the eightieth percentile of all charges for the particular health care service performed by a health care provider in the same or similar specialty and provided in the same geographical area, as reported in a benchmarking database maintained by a nonprofit organization specified by the Insurance Commissioner. Such organization shall not be affiliated with any health carrier.]

(3) If emergency services were rendered to an insured by a nonparticipating health care provider or nonparticipating facility, as applicable, such nonparticipating health care provider or nonparticipating facility shall bill the health carrier directly and the health carrier shall reimburse such nonparticipating health care provider or nonparticipating facility pursuant to Section 2719A of the Public Health Services Act.

(4) The carrier shall issue an explanation of benefits to the insured that explains payment and any payment responsibility of the insured. The carrier shall include a statement in the explanation of benefits that it is an unfair trade practice in violation of chapter 735a for any health care provider or facility to request payment from an enrollee, other than a coinsurance, copayment or deductible for (A) health care services or a facility fee, as defined in section 19a-508c, covered under a health care plan, (B) emergency services covered under a health care plan and rendered by a nonparticipating health care provider or nonparticipating facility, or (C) a surprise bill. The explanation of benefits shall include the following statement: "In the event that you receive a bill from a provider or facility regarding payment for services in excess of your responsibilities pursuant to this explanation of benefits please contact us.".

[(B)] (5) Nothing in this [subdivision] subsection shall be construed to prohibit [such] a health carrier and [out-of-network] a nonparticipating health care provider or facility from agreeing to a greater reimbursement amount for the health care services described in subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(c) With respect to a surprise bill:

(1) An insured shall only be required to pay the applicable coinsurance, copayment [,] or deductible [or other out-of-pocket expense] that would be imposed for such health care services if such services were rendered by [an in-network] a participating health care provider; and

(2) A health carrier shall reimburse the [out-of-network] facility, nonparticipating health care provider or insured, as applicable, for health care services rendered at the in-network rate under the insured's health care plan as payment in full, unless such health carrier and facility or health care provider, as the case may be, agree otherwise. The carrier shall issue an explanation of benefits to the insured that explains payment and any payment responsibility of the insured. The carrier shall include a statement in the explanation of benefits that it is an unfair trade practice in violation of chapter 735a for any health care provider or facility to request payment from an enrollee, other than a coinsurance, copayment or deductible for (A) health care services or a facility fee, as defined in section 19a-508c, covered under a health care plan, (B) emergency services covered under a health care plan and rendered by a nonparticipating health care provider or nonparticipating facility, or (C) a surprise bill. The explanation of benefits shall include the following statement: "In the event that you receive a bill from a provider or facility regarding payment for services in excess of your responsibilities pursuant to this explanation of benefits please contact us.".

(d) If health care services were rendered to an insured by [an out-of-network] a nonparticipating health care provider and the health carrier failed to inform such insured, if such insured was required to be informed, of the network status of such health care provider pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of section 38a-591b, the health carrier shall not impose a coinsurance, copayment [,] or deductible [or other out-of-pocket expense] that is greater than the coinsurance, copayment [,] or deductible [or other out-of-pocket expense] that would be imposed if such services were rendered by [an in-network] a participating health care provider.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1

January 1, 2019

New section

Sec. 2

January 1, 2019

New section

Sec. 3

January 1, 2019

New section

Sec. 4

January 1, 2019

New section

Sec. 5

July 1, 2018

New section

Sec. 6

January 1, 2019

New section

Sec. 7

from passage

PA 17-2 of the June Sp. Sess., Sec. 213

Sec. 8

January 1, 2019

20-7f(b)

Sec. 9

July 1, 2018

38a-21

Sec. 10

January 1, 2019

38a-477aa

Statement of Purpose:

To implement the Governor's budget recommendations.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

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