Sec. 38a-530b. Carriers to permit direct access to obstetrician-gynecologist.

(a) As used in this section, “carrier” means each insurer, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or other entity delivering, issuing for delivery, renewing, amending or continuing any group health insurance policy in this state providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (6), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469.

(b) Each carrier shall permit a female enrollee direct access to a participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist for any gynecological examination or care related to pregnancy and shall allow direct access to a participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist for primary and preventive obstetric and gynecologic services required as a result of any gynecological examination or as a result of a gynecological condition. Such obstetric and gynecologic services include, but are not limited to, pap smear tests. The plan may require the participating in-network obstetrician-gynecologist to discuss such services and any treatment plan with the female enrollee's primary care provider. Nothing in this section shall preclude access to an in-network nurse-midwife as licensed pursuant to sections 20-86c and 20-86g and in-network advanced practice registered nurses as licensed pursuant to sections 20-93 and 20-94a for obstetrical and gynecological services within their scope of practice.

(c) Each carrier may allow a female enrollee to designate either a participating, in-network obstetrician-gynecologist or any other in-network physician designated by the carrier as a primary care provider, or both, and may offer the same choice to all female enrollees.

(P.A. 95-199, S. 2; P.A. 96-227, S. 15; P.A. 01-171, S. 19; P.A. 10-32, S. 121; P.A. 11-19, S. 50; P.A. 14-122, S. 51.)

History: P.A. 96-227 amended Subsec. (a) to include Subdiv. (12) in its citation to Sec. 38a-469; P.A. 01-171 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that “such obstetric and gynecologic services include, but are not limited to, pap smear tests”; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 11-19 inserted “or continuing” and made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 14-122 made a technical change in Subsec. (b).

Notation

See Sec. 38a-503b for similar provisions re individual policies.