HB2598: Health carriers; registered surgical assistants.

HOUSE BILL NO. 2598

Offered January 9, 2019
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 38.2-3408 and 38.2-4221 of the Code of Virginia, relating to insurance; reimbursement for services provided by a registered surgical assistant.
Patron-- Hayes

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 38.2-3408 and 38.2-4221 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 38.2-3408. Policy providing for reimbursement for services that may be performed by certain practitioners other than physicians.

A. If an accident and sickness insurance policy provides reimbursement for any service that may be legally performed by a person licensed in this Commonwealth as a chiropractor, optometrist, optician, professional counselor, psychologist, clinical social worker, podiatrist, physical therapist, chiropodist, clinical nurse specialist who renders mental health services, audiologist, speech pathologist, certified nurse midwife, marriage and family therapist or licensed acupuncturist, reimbursement under the policy shall not be denied because the service is rendered by the licensed practitioner.

B. If an accident and sickness insurance policy provides reimbursement for a service that may be legally performed by a licensed pharmacist, reimbursement under the policy shall not be denied because the service is rendered by the licensed pharmacist provided that (i) the service is performed for an insured for a condition under the terms of a collaborative agreement, as defined in § 54.1-3300, between a pharmacist and the physician with whom the insured is undergoing a course of treatment or (ii) the service is for the administration of vaccines for immunization. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 38.2-3407, the insurer may require the pharmacist, any pharmacy or provider that may employ such pharmacist, or the collaborating physician to enter into a written agreement with the insurer as a condition for reimbursement for such services. In addition, reimbursement to pharmacists acting under the terms of a collaborative agreement under this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of § 38.2-3407.7.

C. If an accident and sickness insurance policy provides reimbursement for any service that may be legally performed by a registered surgical assistant, reimbursement under the policy shall not be denied because the service is rendered by the registered surgical assistant.

D. This section shall not apply to Medicaid, or any state fund.

§ 38.2-4221. Services of certain practitioners other than physicians to be covered.

A. A nonstock corporation shall not fail or refuse, either directly or indirectly, to allow or to pay to a subscriber for all or any part of the health services rendered by any doctor of podiatry, doctor of chiropody, optometrist, optician, chiropractor, professional counselor, psychologist, physical therapist, clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist who renders mental health services, audiologist, speech pathologist, certified nurse midwife, marriage and family therapist or licensed acupuncturist licensed to practice in Virginia, if the services rendered (i) are services provided for by the subscription contract and (ii) are services which the doctor of podiatry, doctor of chiropody, optometrist, optician, chiropractor, professional counselor, psychologist, physical therapist, clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist who renders mental health services, audiologist, speech pathologist, certified nurse midwife, marriage and family therapist or licensed acupuncturist is licensed to render in this Commonwealth.

B. If a subscription contract provides reimbursement for a service that may be legally performed by a licensed pharmacist, reimbursement under the subscription contract by the nonstock corporation shall not be denied because the service is rendered by the licensed pharmacist provided that (i) the service is performed for a subscriber for a condition under the terms of a collaborative agreement, as defined in § 54.1-3300, between a pharmacist and the physician with whom the subscriber is undergoing a course of treatment or (ii) the service is for the administration of vaccines for immunization. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 38.2-4209, the nonstock corporation may require the pharmacist, any pharmacy or provider that may employ such pharmacist, or the collaborating physician to enter into a written agreement with the nonstock corporation as a condition for reimbursement for such services. In addition, reimbursement to pharmacists acting under the terms of a collaborative agreement under this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of § 38.2-4209.1.

C. If a subscription contract provides reimbursement for any service that may be legally performed by a registered surgical assistant, reimbursement under the subscription contract by the nonstock corporation shall not be denied because the service is rendered by the registered surgical assistant.