Section 62Q.52 Direct Access to Obstetric and Gynecologic Services - Minnesota Statutes

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 co-payments, 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.

History:

1997 c 26 s 1