DERMATOLOGIST: ELIMINATE NEED FOR REFERRAL
House Bills 6059 and 6060
Sponsor: Rep. Samuel Buzz Thomas
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services
Complete to 11-12-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 6059 AND 6060 AS INTRODUCED 5-9-02
The bills would, in general, prohibit - on and after January 1, 2003 - health insurers from requiring that a member or an insured first obtain a referral from a primary care physician as a condition to covering dermatological services that are otherwise covered under the certificate or policy.
House Bill 6059 would amend the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act (MCL 550.1401i) to apply to group and nongroup certificates of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. House Bill 6060 would amend the Insurance Code (MCL 550.3406q) to apply to expense-incurred hospital, medical, or surgical policies and certificates of commercial health insurance companies that are delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state. (Note: As written, it is not clear if House Bill 6060 would apply to health maintenance organizations.)
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.