(a)  The second surgical opinion benefit provisions of a policy may exclude: (1) Benefits while the patient is confined in a hospital as an inpatient; (2) Any surgical procedures not covered by the policy; and (3) Surgical procedures in the following categories: cosmetic surgery, pregnancy-related surgery, dental surgery, podiatric surgery, and sterilization.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 27-39-4

  • Eligible physician: means a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery who holds the rank of diplomate of an American board (M. See Rhode Island General Laws 27-39-1
  • Second surgical opinion: means an opinion of an eligible physician based on that physician's examination of a person for the purpose of evaluating the medical advisability of that person undergoing an elective surgical procedure. See Rhode Island General Laws 27-39-1

(b)  If an eligible physician who furnishes a second or third surgical opinion also performs the surgical procedure, the policy need not provide payment for the second and third opinion services of that physician.

History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 143, § 1.