Minnesota Session Laws - 1997, Regular Session

                             CHAPTER 26-H.F.No. 447 
                  An act relating to insurance; requiring health plan 
                  companies to provide direct access to obstetric and 
                  gynecologic services; proposing coding for new law in 
                  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62Q. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  [62Q.52] [DIRECT ACCESS TO OBSTETRIC AND 
        GYNECOLOGIC SERVICES.] 
           (a) Health plan companies shall allow female enrollees 
        direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists for the 
        following services: 
           (1) annual preventive health examinations, which shall 
        include a gynecologic examination, and any subsequent obstetric 
        or gynecologic visits determined to be medically necessary by 
        the examining obstetrician or gynecologist, based upon the 
        findings of the examination; 
           (2) maternity care; and 
           (3) evaluation and necessary treatment for acute 
        gynecologic conditions or emergencies. 
           (b) For purposes of this section, "direct access" means 
        that a female enrollee may obtain the obstetric and gynecologic 
        services specified in paragraph (a) from obstetricians and 
        gynecologists in the enrollee's network without a referral from, 
        or prior approval through, another physician, the health plan 
        company, or its representatives. 
           (c) Health plan companies shall not require higher 
        copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other enrollee 
        cost-sharing for direct access. 
           (d) This section applies only to services described in 
        paragraph (a) that are covered by the enrollee's coverage, but 
        coverage of a preventive health examination for female enrollees 
        must not exclude coverage of a gynecologic examination. 
           Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           Section 1 is effective January 1, 1998, and applies to 
        coverage issued or renewed on or after that date. 
           Presented to the governor April 7, 1997 
           Signed by the governor April 8, 1997, 10:30 a.m.