SB175 (2006) Detail

Requiring insurance coverage for certified midwives.


CHAPTER 8

SB 175 – FINAL VERSION

04Jan2006… 0168h

2006 SESSION

05-0276

01/09

SENATE BILL 175

AN ACT requiring insurance coverage for certified midwives.

SPONSORS: Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Rep. Dickinson, Carr 1; Rep. S. Scamman, Rock 13; Rep. Kennedy, Merr 4; Rep. Gile, Merr 10

COMMITTEE: Banks and Insurance

ANALYSIS

This bill requires insurance coverage for the costs of the services of certified midwives.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

04Jan2006… 0168h

05-0276 01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

AN ACT requiring insurance coverage for certified midwives.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

8:1 New Section; Coverage for Certified Midwives; Individual. Amend RSA 415 by inserting after section 6-k the following new section:

415:6-l Coverage for Certified Midwives. Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy, plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing maternity benefits, shall also provide to certificate holders of such insurance, who are residents of this state, coverage consistent with the terms and conditions of the policy for services rendered by a midwife certified under RSA 326-D. Such coverage shall be subject to each insurer’s standards and mechanisms for credentialing and contracting pursuant to RSA 420-J:4 and RSA 420-J:8 respectively, where applicable, and contingent upon services being provided in a licensed health care facility and within the scope of practice of a certified midwife. Benefits provided shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.

8:2 New Section; Coverage for Certified Midwives; Group. Amend RSA 415 by inserting after section 18-p the following new section:

415:18-q Coverage for Certified Midwives. Each insurer that issues or renews any policy of group or blanket accident or health insurance providing maternity benefits shall also provide to each group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage consistent with the terms and conditions of the policy for services rendered by a midwife certified under RSA 326-D. Such coverage shall be subject to each insurer’s standards and mechanisms for credentialing and contracting pursuant to RSA 420-J:4 and RSA 420-J:8 respectively, where applicable, and contingent upon services being provided in a licensed health care facility and within the scope of practice of a certified midwife. Benefits provided shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.

8:3 New Section; Coverage for Certified Midwives; Health Service Corporations. Amend RSA 420-A by inserting after section 17-e the following new section:

420-A:17-f Coverage for Certified Midwives. Every health service corporation and every other similar corporation licensed under the laws of another state that issues or renews any policy of group or blanket accident or health insurance providing maternity benefits shall also provide to each group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage consistent with the terms and conditions of the policy for services rendered by a midwife certified under RSA 326-D. Such coverage shall be subject to each insurer’s standards and mechanisms for credentialing and contracting pursuant to RSA 420-J:4 and RSA 420-J:8 respectively, where applicable, and contingent upon services being provided in a licensed health care facility and within the scope of practice of a certified midwife. Benefits provided shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.

8:4 New Section; Coverage for Certified Midwives. Amend RSA 420-B by inserting after section 8-o the following new section:

420-B:8-p Coverage for Certified Midwives. Every health maintenance organization and every similar corporation licensed under the laws of another state that issues or renews any policy, plan, or contract of individual or group or blanket health insurance providing maternity benefits shall also provide to each group, or to the portion of each group comprised of certificate holders of such insurance who are residents of this state, coverage consistent with the terms and conditions of the policy for services rendered by a midwife certified under RSA 326-D. Such coverage shall be subject to each insurer’s standards and mechanisms for credentialing and contracting pursuant to RSA 420-J:4 and RSA 420-J:8 respectively, where applicable, and contingent upon services being provided in a licensed health care facility and within the scope of practice of a certified midwife. Benefits provided shall not be subject to any greater co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance than any other similar benefits provided by the insurer.

8:5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: February 13, 2006

Effective: April 14, 2006