§ 56-7-2353 — Coverage of dental procedures performed on certain minors in hospitals

(a) Any accident or sickness insurance or hospital, medical service contract or policy under this chapter or chapter 26, 27, 28, 29 or 32 of this title that takes effect on or after July 1, 1997, shall provide for reimbursement of anesthesia expenses, hospital expenses and physician expenses associated with any inpatient/outpatient hospital dental procedure where: (1) The expense is covered under the contract or policy; and (2) The procedure is performed on a minor eight (8) years of age or younger and cannot be safely performed in a dental office setting. (b) The benefit provided for by this section shall be subject to the same annual deductibles or co-insurance established for all other covered benefits within a given plan, policy or contract. Private third party payors may not reduce or eliminate coverage due to the requirements of this section. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as applying to medical assistance programs funded with state and federal funds, if the programs require provision of services as medically necessary.

Legislative History

Acts 1997, ch. 363, § 1.