MANAGED CARE: STATES MANDATE DIRECT ACCESS TO OB/GYNS
In response to consumer complaints that managed careThis is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
gatekeepers have created obstacles to direct access to OB/GYNs --
who many women consider their primary care providers -- state
legislatures are moving to mandate direct access to these
providers. The laws take three forms: mandated direct access to
one annual OB/GYN visit; direct access to OB/GYN services and
mandatory designation of OB/GYNs as primary care providers in
order to provide unlimited access. In addition to state efforts,
there are several bills pending in Congress that would mandate
direct access to OB/GYNs. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) included a
provision that would allow all OB/GYNs be designated primary care
providers in his HMO consumers' "Bill of Rights" (see AHL 2/26),
and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) has introduced a measure that would
require insurers and health plans to provide adequate access to
services provided by OB/GYNs. The measure has been referred to
the Commerce Committee's subcommittee on health and environment.
STATE BY STATE BREAKDOWN
The following is a list of the states that have enacted
direct access to OB/GYN service to date or are considering doing
so (+ = passed; # = pending):
Direct Access Direct Access Primary Care
To Annual Visit To OB/GYN Services Designation
Alabama +
Arkansas +
California # +
Colorado +
Connecticut +
Florida +
Georgia +
Illinois + #
Indiana +
Louisiana +
Maine + + +
Maryland +
Mississippi +
Nebraska +
New Mexico +
New York +
North Carolina +
Oregon +
South Carolina #
Texas +
Utah +
Virginia +
Washington +