§ 27-18-62 - Mandatory coverage for certain lyme disease treatments. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-18-62

   § 27-18-62  Mandatory coverage for certainlyme disease treatments. – Every individual or group hospital or medical expense insurance policy orindividual or group hospital or medical services plan contract delivered,issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2004 shallprovide coverage for diagnostic testing and long-term antibiotic treatment ofchronic lyme disease when determined to be medically necessary and ordered by aphysician acting in accordance with chapter 37.5 of title 5 entitled "lymedisease diagnosis and treatment" after making a thorough evaluation of thepatient's symptoms, diagnostic test results and response to treatment.Treatment otherwise eligible for benefits pursuant to this section shall not bedenied solely because such treatment may be characterized as unproven,experimental, or investigational in nature. Provided, however, this sectionshall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for:

   (1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

   (2) Disability income;

   (3) Accident only;

   (4) Long-term care;

   (5) Medicare supplement;

   (6) Limited benefit health;

   (7) Specified disease indemnity;

   (8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both;and

   (9) Other limited benefit policies.