Missouri Senate Direct Access Bill

Second regular session
SENATE BILL NO. 902
88TH General Assembly

Introduced by Senator Sims.
Read 1st time February 8, 1996, and 1,000 copies 
ordered printed.
					Terry L.Spieler, Secretary
					S3430.01I

AN ACT
To amend chapter 376, RSMo, relating to health care 
benefits, by adding one new section relating to the 
same subject.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of 
Missouri, as follows:
	Section A.  Chapter 376, RSMo, is amended by 
2 	adding therto one new section to be known as 
section 376.1335, to read as follows:
	376.1335.  1.  As used in this section, the 
following terms mean:
2	(1)  "Dermatological services," services 
ordinarily and customarily rendered by a physican   
3	specializing in the practice of dermatology;
4	(2)  "Health benefit policy," any individual or 
group plan, policy, or contract for health care
5    services issued, delivered, issued for delivery,
6	or renewed in this state by a health care
7 	corporation, health maintenance organization, 
accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit 
8    society, nonprofit hospital service corporation, 
9    nonprofit medical service corporation, or similar 
10	entity regulated by the department of insurance; 
11	(3)  "Primary care physician," a physician who 
12	is board certified or board eligible and practices 
in general internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, 
13	gynecology, or family practice.
14	2.  No health benefit policy which is issued, 
delivered,issued for delivery, or renewed in this state 
15	on or after August 28, 1996, shall require as a 
condition to the coverage of dermatological services 
16	that an enrollee, subscriber, or insured first 
17	obtain a referral from a primary care physician 
18	and no such health benefit policy shall 
discriminate against or impose any extraordinary 
19	copayments, deductibles, or other financial 
20 	penalties upon an enrollee for seeking 
dermatological services without first obtaining a 
21	referral from a primary care physician.
22	(3.)  This section shall not apply to supplemental 
insurance policies, including accident-only policies, 
23	specified disease policies, hospital policies
24	providing a fixed daily benefit only, Medicare 
25	supplement policies, and long-term care policies.