§ 27-39-2 - Insurance benefits for second opinion. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-39-2

   § 27-39-2  Insurance benefits for secondopinion. – (a) Any insurer issuing an individual insurance policy which provides coverageof surgical operations performed on a person while confined in a hospital as aninpatient shall make available under the policy benefits for a second surgicalopinion for elective surgical procedures performed in a hospital either on aninpatient or outpatient basis or in a licensed surgical facility.

   (b) Benefits for a second surgical opinion shall includepayment for the second surgical opinion services of an eligible physician andfor essential laboratory and X-ray services incidental to those services,either as a benefit under the individual policy or, at the insurer's option, asan additional benefit offered to the prospective policyholder at issue of apolicy. Benefit payments may be limited to second surgical opinion services ofeligible physicians who have agreed to participate in an insurer's secondsurgical opinion program. The benefits shall be equal to amounts payable underthe policy for covered in hospital consultations. As a condition of eligibilityfor a second surgical opinion benefit, the subscriber shall notify the insurerin advance to verify eligibility and compliance with the provisions in thissection.