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Introduced Version House Bill 2860 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted

H. B. 2860

 

                        (By Delegates Manchin, Caputo and Longstreth)

                        [Introduced February 20, 2015; referred to the

                        Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.]

 

 

 

 

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7f; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-18; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16D-17; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-24-7m; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25-8j; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25A-8l, all relating to copayments required in certain policies, provisions, contracts, plans or agreements to provide health care benefits; providing that a copayment imposed for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or licensed physical therapist may not exceed a copayment imposed for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician; and prohibiting discrimination based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7f; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-18; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16D-17; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section designated §33-24-7m; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25-8j; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25A-8l, all to read as follows:

CHAPTER 5. GENERAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL; BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS; MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS, OFFICES, PROGRAMS, ETC.

ARTICLE 16. WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INSURANCE ACT.

§5-16-7f. Copayments nondiscrimination.

            (a) A policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon an individual for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon an individual for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the covered individual must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

CHAPTER 33. INSURANCE.

ARTICLE 15. ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE.

§33-15-22. Copayments; nondiscrimination.

            (a) A policy, contract, plan or agreement subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon an insured for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon the insured for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the insured or subscriber must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The policy or plan shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

ARTICLE 16. GROUP ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE.

§33-16-18. Copayments; nondiscrimination.

            (a) A group health plan, health benefit plan or network plan subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon an insured for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon the insured for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the insured or subscriber must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The policy or plan shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

ARTICLE 16D. MARKETING AND RATE PRACTICES FOR SMALL EMPLOYER ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES.

§33-16D-17. Copayments; nondiscrimination.

            (a) A group health plan, health benefit plan or network plan subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon an insured for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon the insured for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the insured or subscriber must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The group health plan, health benefit plan or network plan shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage under its plan and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

ARTICLE 24. HOSPITAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, MEDICAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, DENTAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS AND HEALTH SERVICE CORPORATIONS.

§33-24-7m. Copayments; nondiscrimination.

            (a) A policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon a subscriber for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon a subscriber for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the insured or subscriber must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

ARTICLE 25. HEALTH CARE CORPORATIONS.

§33-25-8j. Copayments; nondiscrimination.

            (a) A policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon a subscriber or member for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon a subscriber or member for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the subscriber or member must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

ARTICLE 25A. HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION ACT.

§33-25A-8l. Copayments; nondiscrimination.

            (a) A policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement subject to this article may not impose a copayment upon a subscriber or member for services rendered by a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist that is in excess of a copayment imposed upon a subscriber or member for the services of a primary care physician or an osteopathic physician.

            (b) As used in this section, “copayment” means a specific dollar amount that the subscriber or member must pay as a share of the cost of the services upon receipt of the covered services.

            (c) The policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement shall clearly state the availability of occupational therapy, speech language therapy and physical therapy coverage and all related limitations, conditions and exclusions.

            (d) A healthcare provider may not discriminate against or refuse treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the healthcare treatment sought.

 


            NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require that a copayment to a licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physical therapist be the same as to a physician or osteopath. The bill also prohibits health care providers from discriminating against or refusing treatment to a patient based upon the manner or cause of injury or condition necessitating the treatment sought.


            All sections in this bill are new; therefore, they have been completely underscored.

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