GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 358*

Short Title:  Ob-Gyn Access/Medicaid Recipients.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Adams; Alexander, Berry, Bonner, Bowie, Boyd-MCintyre, Braswell, Buchanan, Clary, Cole, Earle, Easterling, Esposito, Fitch, Goodwin, Hardaway, Jarrell, Jeffus, Luebke, McAllister, McCrary, Mosley, Preston, Russell, Sherrill, Shubert, Smith, Wainwright, Watson, and C. Wilson.

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Referred to:  Insurance.

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February 27, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE MEDICAID RECIPIENTS DIRECT ACCESS TO OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGISTS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  (a) The Department of Human Resources shall provide Medicaid recipients direct access, without prior referral, to the health care services of a participating obstetrician-gynecologist.  This access shall be provided regardless of whether the recipient has designated a physician other than a participating obstetrician-gynecologist to be the recipient's primary care physician.
(b)	"Health care services" means the full scope of medically necessary services provided by an obstetrician-gynecologist in the care of or related to the female reproductive system and breasts, and in performing annual screening, counseling, and immunization for disorders and diseases in accordance with the most current published recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and includes services provided by nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and certified nurse-midwives in collaboration with the obstetrician-gynecologist in the care of the recipient.
(c)	The Department shall inform Medicaid recipients in writing of the provisions of this act.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 1997.