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
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19950412 Introduced, read first time, 26 HLCI referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
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.