§ 28-33-10 — § 28-33-10. "Dental, hospital, and medical servicesâ€� defined.

§ 28-33-10. "Dental, hospital, and medical servicesâ€� defined.

(a) "Dental servicesâ€� as used in §§ 28-33-5 — 28-33-9 includes services rendered in making, repairing, and replacing artificial teeth and dentures.

(b) "Hospital servicesâ€� as used in §§ 28-33-5 — 28-33-9 includes any and all services normally furnished by the hospital for the care of patients.

(c) "Medical servicesâ€� as used in §§ 28-33-5 — 28-33-9 includes palliative care services by a physician licensed by the state for twelve (12) visits, after reaching maximum medical improvement. Additional palliative care must be authorized by the insurer or self-insured employer. A request for additional palliative care must be submitted to the insurer or self-insured employer at least ten (10) working days prior to delivery of the services and shall include a treatment plan, including a time schedule of measurable objectives, a projected termination date of treatment, and an estimated total cost of services. The director shall promulgate rules governing a request for additional palliative care and review of any decision relating to it. Any disputes as to the definition of "palliative careâ€� shall be resolved by the medical advisory board. These limitations on palliative care shall not apply to any conditions for which a contrary treatment protocol has been established by the medical advisory board.

Legislative History

G.L. 1923, ch. 92, art. 2, § 5; P.L. 1937, ch. 2545, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 300, art. 2, § 5; P.L. 1941, ch. 1051, § 1; P.L. 1942, ch. 1226, § 1; P.L. 1947, ch. 1832, § 1; P.L. 1954, ch. 3297, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-33-10; P.L. 1992, ch. 31, § 5; P.L. 1995, ch. 44, § 2.