Pennsylvania Act 1978-16 — HEALTH AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE - PAYMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS

Act text

HEALTH AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE - PAYMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS
                  Act of Apr. 18, 1978, P.L. 33, No. 16               Cl. 40
                                  AN ACT

     Providing reimbursement to insured by insurance company for
        services performed by a psychologist.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  (a)  This act shall apply to every group or
     individual policy, contract, or certificate issued thereunder,
     of health, or sickness, or accident insurance delivered or
     issued for delivery within the Commonwealth including but not
     limited to policies, contracts or certificates issued by:
        (1)  Any stock insurance company as defined in section
     202(c)(4) and (11), act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known
     as "The Insurance Company Law of 1921."
        (2)  Any mutual insurance company as defined in section
     202(d)(1) of "The Insurance Company Law of 1921."
        (3)  Any professional health services plan corporation as
     defined in Chapter 63 of Title 40 Pa.C.S.
        (4)  Any fraternal benefit societies as defined in Chapter 65
     of Title 40 of Pa.C.S.
        (5)  Any voluntary nonprofit health service plan as defined
     in the act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364), known as the
     "Voluntary Nonprofit Health Service Act of 1972."
        (6)  Any person who sells or issues contracts or certificates
     of insurance which meet the requirements of this act.
        (b)  This act shall apply to all such policies, contracts or
     certificates issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or
     reissued on or after the effective date of this act.
        Section 2.  Whenever a policy, contract or certificate
     provides for reimbursement for any psychologically necessary
     service which is within those areas for which the psychologist
     is licensed pursuant to the act of March 23, 1972 (P.L.136,
     No.52), referred to as the Psychologists License Act, the
     insured, or any other person covered by the policy, contract or
     certificate, shall be entitled to reimbursement for such service
     whether the service is performed by a physician or a
     psychologist operating within those areas for which he is
     licensed.
        Section 3.  The Insurance Commissioner shall promulgate such
     rules and regulations as are deemed necessary for the effective
     implementation and operation of this act. Public hearings shall
     be held prior to the promulgation of any such regulation,
     including a verbatim transcript and cross-examination of all
     witnesses in accordance with applicable rules of procedure,
     unless such regulation or amendment is insubstantial.
        Section 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.