(a) Every health care plan written by a health maintenance organization and in force, issued, renewed, or amended on or after October 1, 1997, that is subject to this Article, shall provide coverage for medically appropriate and necessary services, including diabetes outpatient self-management training and educational services, and equipment, supplies, medications, and laboratory procedures used to treat diabetes. Diabetes outpatient self-management training and educational services shall be provided by a physician or a health care professional designated by the physician.  The health maintenance organization shall determine who shall provide and be reimbursed for the diabetes outpatient self-management training and educational services.  The same deductibles, coinsurance, and other limitations as apply to similar services covered under the policy, contract, or plan shall apply to the diabetes coverage required under this section.

(b) For the purposes of this section, “physician” is a person licensed to practice in this State under Article 1 or Article 7 of Chapter 90 of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. (1997-225, s. 3.)