Ch. 579

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

in-network obstetrician/gynecologist for routine] gynecological care FROM AN
IN-NETWORK OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST without requiring the woman to first visit
a primary care provider, PROVIDED THAT:

(I)      THE CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, CARE THAT IS ROUTINE; AN©

(II)    FOLLOWING EACH VISIT FOR GYNECOLOGICAL CARE, THE
OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST COMMUNICATES WITH THE WOMAN'S PRIMARY
CARE PHYSICIAN CONCERNING ANY DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT RENDERED; AND

(III)   THE OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST CONFERS WITH THE PRIMARY
CARE PHYSICIAN BEFORE PERFORMING ANY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE THAT IS NOT
ROUTINE GYNECOLOGICAL CARE RENDERED DURING AN ANNUAL VISIT.

Article - Health - General

19-706.

(k) (1) A health maintenance organization shall:

(i) Classify an obstetrician/gynecologist as a primary care physician; or

(ii) [ Permit] IF THE OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST CHOOSES NOT
TO BE A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, PERMIT a woman to receive [ an annual visit to an
in-network obstetrician/gynecologist for routine] gynecological care FROM AN
IN-NETWORK OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST without requiring the woman to first visit
a primary care provider, PROVIDED THAT:

1.       THE CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, CARE THAT IS ROUTINE; AND

2.       FOLLOWING EACH VISIT FOR GYNECOLOGICAL CARE,
THE OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST COMMUNICATES WITH THE WOMAN'S PRIMARY
CARE PHYSICIAN CONCERNING ANY DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT RENDERED; AND

3. THE OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST CONFERS WITH THE
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN BEFORE PERFORMING ANY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE THAT IS
NOT ROUTINE GYNECOLOGICAL CARE RENDERED DURING AN ANNUAL VISIT.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1996.

Approved May 23, 1996.

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