§ 27-20.9-1 - Health care contracts – Required provisions – Definitions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-20.9-1

   § 27-20.9-1  Health care contracts –Required provisions – Definitions. – (a) On and after January 1, 2008, a health insurer that contracts with a healthcare provider shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and shallinclude the provisions required by this chapter in the health care contract. Acontract in existence prior to January 1, 2008, that is renewed or renews byits terms shall comply with the provisions of this chapter no later thanDecember 31, 2008.

   (b) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwiserequires:

   (1) "Health care contract" means a contract entered into orrenewed between a health insurer and a health care provider for the delivery ofhealth care services to others.

   (2) "Health care provider" means a person licensed orcertified in this state to practice medicine, pharmacy, chiropractic, nursing,physical therapy, podiatry, dentistry, optometry, occupational therapy, orother healing arts.

   (3) "Health insurer" means every nonprofit medical servicecorporation, hospital service corporation, health maintenance organization, orother insurer offering and/or insuring health services; the term shall inaddition include any entity defined as an insurer under § 42-62-4 and anythird-party administrator when interacting with health care providers andenrollees on behalf of such an insurer.