2018 -- H 7081

========

LC003488

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, McNamara, Diaz, Vella-Wilkinson, and
Solomon

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2018

     Referred To: House Corporations

     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

     27-18-84. Physical therapists.

4

     (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery,

5

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2019, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance,

6

or office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical

7

therapist licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit

8

deductible amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath

9

licensed under chapters 36 and 37 of title 5.

10

     (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its

11

plan and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions.

12

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

13

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

14

     27-19-76. Physical therapists.

15

     (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery,

16

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2019, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance,

17

or office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical

18

therapist licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit

19

deductible amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath

 

1

licensed under chapters 36 and 37 of title 5.

2

     (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its

3

plan and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions.

4

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

5

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

6

     27-20-72. Physical therapists.

7

     (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery,

8

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2019, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance,

9

or office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical

10

therapist licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit

11

deductible amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath

12

licensed under chapters 36 and 37 of title 5.

13

     (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its

14

plan and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions.

15

     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

16

Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

17

     27-41-89. Physical therapists.

18

     (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery,

19

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2019, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance,

20

or office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical

21

therapist licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit

22

deductible amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath

23

licensed under chapters 36 and 37 of title 5.

24

     (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its

25

plan and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions.

26

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC003488

========

 

LC003488 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY

***

1

     This act would limit copays, coinsurance or office deductible for services of a physical

2

therapist to the amount authorized for medical osteopathic physician office visits.

3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC003488

========

 

LC003488 - Page 3 of 3