3. Notwithstanding any other provision of P.L.1940, c.74 (C. 17:48A-1 et seq.), benefits shall not be denied to any eligible individual for eligible services, as determined under the terms of the contract or as otherwise required by law, when the services are determined by a physician to be medically necessary and are performed or rendered to that individual by a licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist within the scope of practice. The practices of audiology and speech-language pathology shall be deemed to be within the provisions of P.L.1940, c.74 (C. 17:48A-1 et seq.) and duly licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists shall have such privileges and benefits in the scope of their practice under that act as are afforded thereunder to licensed physicians and surgeons in the scope of their practice.

L.1997,c.419,s.3.