HB 195 -- Open Referrals to OBGYN and Dermatology Physicians

Sponsor:  Barry

This bill prohibits health carriers from requiring a covered
person to obtain a referral from a primary care physician before
seeking the services of a participating obstetrician or
gynecologist.  Services are limited to those defined by the
published recommendations of the accreditation council for
graduate medical education for training an obstetrician or
gynecologist.  Health carriers may not charge additional fees
for a covered person's direct access to a participating
obstetrician or gynecologist unless those fees are charged for
other types of health care services within the carrier's network
of providers.

In addition, a health carrier may not require a referral for a
covered person to seek the services of a dermatologist.
Carriers are prohibited from charging additional fees for direct
access to a dermatologist unless those fees are charged for
other types of health care services.