SENATE BILL NO. 388

INTRODUCED BY C. CHRISTIAENS

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING THAT A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN MAY NOT PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL FROM SELF-REFERRAL TO A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN; AND AMENDING SECTION 33-22-1901, MCA."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 33-22-1901, MCA, is amended to read:

"33-22-1901. Scope -- purpose. The provisions of this part apply to all health benefit plans offered to persons who receive health care services in this state. The purpose of this part is to ensure that obstetricians, gynecologists, and naturopathic physicians may be participating primary care physicians under health benefit plans offered to patients who receive health care services in this state and that persons covered by health benefit plans have direct access to the services of a participating obstetrician, gynecologist, or naturopathic physician of their choice."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Self-referral to naturopathic physician allowed. A health benefit plan must permit self-referral by a covered person to a naturopathic physician licensed pursuant to Title 37, chapter 26. Self-referral must be allowed without prior authorization or precertification from the health benefit plan. Self-referral to a naturopathic physician may not affect the covered person's coverage under the health benefit plan. It is the intent of this section that a covered person must at all times have direct access to the services of the participating naturopathic physician of the covered person's choice under any health benefit plan.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 2] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 33, chapter 22, part 19, and the provisions of Title 33, chapter 22, part 19, apply to [section 2].

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