§ 40-45-320 — Construction of chapter; rights to payment of certain health plan benefits; effect on contractual agreements requiring doctor's prescription for therapy services; effect on workers' compensation.

(A) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to create a right in a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to: (1) have paid to a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant a benefit under: (a) a self-funded plan providing benefits to residents of this State; (b) accident and health insurance provided to residents of this State; (c) a plan of operation established by a health maintenance organization licensed in this State; or (2) have a claim against a third party payer, however situated. (B) Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to limit, enlarge, or otherwise affect any contractual agreement now in effect or entered into after the effective date of this act which provides that a person obtaining physical therapy services must have a prescription from a doctor of medicine licensed under Chapter 47 or from a person licensed to practice dentistry under Chapter 25 in order to be entitled to receive reimbursement for these therapy services. (C) Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to affect the provisions of Title 42 of the South Carolina Code of Laws relating to workers' compensation.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 360, SECTION 1.