Viewing an earlier, undated versionView current (a) Health plan companies shall allow female enrollees direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists for the following services:
- (1) annual preventive health examinations, which shall include a gynecologic examination, and any subsequent obstetric or gynecologic visits determined to be medically necessary by the examining obstetrician or gynecologist, based upon the findings of the examination;
- (2) maternity care; and
- (3) evaluation and necessary treatment for acute gynecologic conditions or emergencies.
- (b) For purposes of this section, "direct access" means that a female enrollee may obtain the obstetric and gynecologic services specified in paragraph (a) from obstetricians and gynecologists in the enrollee's network without a referral from, or prior approval through, another physician, the health plan company, or its representatives.
- (c) Health plan companies shall not require higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other enrollee cost-sharing for direct access.
- (d) This section applies only to services described in paragraph (a) that are covered by the enrollee's coverage, but coverage of a preventive health examination for female enrollees must not exclude coverage of a gynecologic examination.