S 0171 General Bill, By Courtney
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-71-200, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
 1976, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION IN ACCIDENT AND HEALTH
 INSURANCE POLICIES AND BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN LICENSED SERVICES, SO AS TO
 INCLUDE SERVICES OF A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED INDEPENDENT
 SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL
 COUNSELOR, OR PSYCHIATRIC CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST.

   01/15/97  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-2
   01/15/97  Senate Referred to Committee on Banking and Insurance SJ-2
   03/12/97  Senate Recalled from Committee on Banking and Insurance SJ-4
   04/17/97  Senate Special order SJ-29
   04/29/97  Senate Read second time SJ-62
   04/29/97  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-62
   05/27/97  Senate Special order SJ-52
   06/04/97  Senate Amended SJ-103
   06/04/97  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-103
   06/04/97  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-154
   06/04/97  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry HJ-154

AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

June 4, 1997

S. 171

S. Printed 6/4/97--S.

Read the first time January 15, 1997.

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 38-71-200, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION IN ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES AND BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN LICENSED SERVICES, SO AS TO INCLUDE SERVICES OF A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED INDEPENDENT SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR, OR PSYCHIATRIC CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST.

Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 38-71-200 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 396 of 1994, is amended to read:

"Section 38-71-200. (A) Discrimination between individuals of the same class in the amount of premiums or rates charged for any policy of insurance covered by this chapter, in the benefits payable thereon, in any of the terms or conditions of the policy, or in any other manner whatsoever is prohibited except as provided in Sections 38-57-140 and 38-71-1110. Whenever any policy of insurance governed by this chapter provides for payment or reimbursement for any service which is within the scope of practice of a licensed podiatrist, licensed oral surgeon, or licensed optometrist, the insured or other person entitled to benefits under the policy is entitled to payment or reimbursement in accordance with the usual and customary fee for the services whether the services are performed by a licensed physician or a licensed podiatrist, a licensed oral surgeon, or a licensed optometrist, notwithstanding any provision contained in the policy, and the policyholder, insured, or beneficiary has the right to choose the provider of the services.

(B) If an insurer offers a policy containing a provision for mental health benefits, it shall offer as a part thereof an optional rider or endorsement, which defines such benefits as including payment to licensed master social workers, licensed independent social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and psychiatric clinical nurse specialists for mental health services specified in the policy which are within the respective scope of practice of each of these provider groups. Any additional premium cost must be reasonably related to benefits provided. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a health maintenance organization or other health benefit plan from professionally credentialing and evaluating individual providers or limiting the number of providers to maintain a network."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.