South Carolina General Assembly
111th Session, 1995-1996

Bill 4076


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       4076
Type of Legislation:               General Bill GB
Introducing Body:                  House
Introduced Date:                   19950412
Primary Sponsor:                   Allison, 
All Sponsors:                      Allison, Wilkins, H. Brown,
                                   Harrison, Haskins, Spearman, Neilson,
                                   Sharpe, Lanford, Meacham,
                                   Cobb-Hunter, Stuart, Huff, Wells,
                                   D. Smith, Robinson, Seithel, Keegan,
                                   Fulmer, J. Harris, Law and Kirsh
                                   
Drafted Document Number:           bbm\10139jm.95
Residing Body:                     House
Current Committee:                 Labor, Commerce and Industry
                                   Committee 26 HLCI
Subject:                           Obstetric and gynecological
                                   services



History


Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

House   19950412  Introduced, read first time,             26 HLCI
                  referred to Committee

View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-61-60 SO AS TO PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND OTHER ENTITIES THAT PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE SHALL NOT LIMIT A FEMALE ENROLLEE'S DIRECT ACCESS TO PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES FROM A QUALIFIED OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGIST OF HER CHOICE FROM WITHIN THE PLAN TO LESS THAN TWO EXAMINATIONS YEARLY FOR SUCH SERVICES OR ANY CARE RELATED TO A PREGNANCY.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 38-61-60. (A) Health maintenance organizations, insurance companies, and other entities that provide health insurance shall not limit a female enrollee's direct access to primary and preventive obstetric and gynecological services from a qualified obstetrician-gynecologist of her choice from within the plan to less than two examinations yearly for such services or any care related to a pregnancy. Additionally, the organization shall not limit direct access to primary and preventive obstetrical and gynecological services required as a result of such annual examinations or as a result of an acute gynecological condition.

(B) It is the duty of the administrative officer or other persons in charge of the health organizations described in subsection (A) to advise each female enrollee in writing of the provisions of this section.

(C) For all health plans in the State of South Carolina, obstetrician-gynecologists shall be designated primary care physicians for women. A primary care physician is a physician who has the responsibility for providing initial and primary care to patients to maintain the continuity of patient care and for initiating referrals for special care. This means providing care for the majority of health care problems of the female population in the State of South Carolina. Female patients may choose an obstetrician-gynecologist for their primary care physician if (1) they so choose and (2) the obstetrician-gynecologist is a participating provider in their health care plan."

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

-----XX-----