S3029

	2016 -- S 3029
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	LC006008
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016
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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO INSURANCE - ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

	Introduced By: Senator Roger Picard
	Date Introduced: May 19, 2016
	Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness
2	Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3	27-18-48.2. Opioid overdose prevention and patient access to alternative medicine. --
4	(a) Legislative purpose. The legislative purpose of this section is to address the opioid overdose
5	crisis by ensuring patient access to alternative means of pain management, including access to
6	and reimbursement of medical services rendered by chiropractic physicians.
7	(b) Construction of health policies, plans and contracts. Notwithstanding any other
8	provision of law, when any health insurance policy, health care services plan, or other contract
9	provides for the payment for medical expense benefits or procedures, such policy, plan, or
10	contract shall be construed to include payment to a chiropractic physician who provides the
11	medical service benefits or procedures which are within the scope of a chiropractic physician's
12	license. Any limitation or condition placed upon payment to, or upon services, diagnosis, or
13	treatment by, any licensed physician shall apply equally to all licensed physicians without unfair
14	discrimination based upon the usual and customary treatment procedures of any class of
15	physicians.
16	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC006008
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO INSURANCE - ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES
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1	This act would address the opioid overdose crisis by ensuring patient access to alternative
2	means of pain management, including access to and reimbursement of medical services rendered
3	by chiropractic physicians.
4	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC006008
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