26 U.S.C. § 9822 — 1 Other patient protections

FEDERAL · 26 U.S.C. · Chapter 100

1 Other patient protections

Current through Pub. L. 119-102

Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code·Ch. 100 — GROUP HEALTH PLAN REQUIREMENTS·Subch. B

(a)Choice of health care professional If a group health plan requires or provides for designation by a participant or beneficiary of a participating primary care provider, then the plan shall permit each participant and beneficiary to designate any participating primary care provider who is available to accept such individual.

(b)Access to pediatric care

(1)Pediatric care In the case of a person who has a child who is a participant or beneficiary under a group health plan if the plan requires or provides for the designation of a participating primary care provider for the child, the plan shall permit such person to designate a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) who specializes in pediatrics as the child's primary care provider if such provider participates in the network of the plan.

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(a) Choice of health care professional
If a group health plan requires or provides for designation by a participant or beneficiary of a participating primary care provider, then the plan shall permit each participant and beneficiary to designate any participating primary care provider who is available to accept such individual.
(b) Access to pediatric care
(1) Pediatric care
In the case of a person who has a child who is a participant or beneficiary under a group health plan if the plan requires or provides for the designation of a participating primary care provider for the child, the plan shall permit such person to designate a physician (allopathic or osteopathic) who specializes in pediatrics as the child's primary care provider if such provider participates in the network of the plan.
(2) Construction
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to waive any exclusions of coverage under the terms and conditions of the plan with respect to coverage of pediatric care.
(c) Patient access to obstetrical and gynecological care
(1) General rights
(A) Direct access
A group health plan described in paragraph (2) may not require authorization or referral by the plan, issuer, or any person (including a primary care provider described in paragraph (2)(B)) in the case of a female participant or beneficiary who seeks coverage for obstetrical or gynecological care provided by a participating health care professional who specializes in obstetrics or gynecology. Such professional shall agree to otherwise adhere to such plan's policies and procedures, including procedures regarding referrals and obtaining prior authorization and providing services pursuant to a treatment plan (if any) approved by the plan.
(B) Obstetrical and gynecological care
A group health plan described in paragraph (2) shall treat the provision of obstetrical and gynecological care, and the ordering of related obstetrical and gynecological items and services, pursuant to the direct access described under subparagraph (A), by a participating health care professional who specializes in obstetrics or gynecology as the authorization of the primary care provider.
(2) Application of paragraph
A group health plan described in this paragraph is a group health plan that—
(A) provides coverage for obstetric or gynecologic care; and
(B) requires the designation by a participant or beneficiary of a participating primary care provider.
(3) Construction
Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to—
(A) waive any exclusions of coverage under the terms and conditions of the plan with respect to coverage of obstetrical or gynecological care; or
(B) preclude the group health plan involved from requiring that the obstetrical or gynecological provider notify the primary care health care professional or the plan or issuer of treatment decisions.

26 U.S.C. § 9822 (1 Other patient protections) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Source Credit

History

(Added Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, §102(c)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2795.)

Editorial Notes

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022, see section 102(e) of div. BB of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as an Effective Date of 2020 Amendment note under section 8902 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.