Connecticut General Statutes 38a-503b – Carriers to permit direct access to obstetrician-gynecologist
(a) As used in this section, “carrier” means each insurer, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or other entity delivering, issuing for delivery, renewing, amending or continuing any individual health insurance policy in this state providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (10), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 38a-503b
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Insurance: means any agreement to pay a sum of money, provide services or any other thing of value on the happening of a particular event or contingency or to provide indemnity for loss in respect to a specified subject by specified perils in return for a consideration. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
- Policy: means any document, including attached endorsements and riders, purporting to be an enforceable contract, which memorializes in writing some or all of the terms of an insurance contract. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
- State: means any state, district, or territory of the United States. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
(b) Each carrier shall permit a female enrollee direct access to a participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist for any gynecological examination or care related to pregnancy and shall allow direct access to a participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist for primary and preventive obstetric and gynecologic services required as a result of any gynecological examination or as a result of a gynecological condition. Such obstetric and gynecologic services include, but are not limited to, pap smear tests. The plan may require the participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist to discuss such services and any treatment plan with the female enrollee’s primary care provider. Nothing in this section shall preclude access to an in-network nurse-midwife as licensed pursuant to sections 20-86c and 20-86g and in-network advanced practice registered nurses as licensed pursuant to sections 20-93 and 20-94a for obstetrical and gynecological services within their scope of practice.
(c) Each carrier may allow a female enrollee to designate either a participating, in-network obstetrician-gynecologist or any other in-network physician designated by the carrier as a primary care provider, or both, and may offer the same choice to all female enrollees.