reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 33-24-56 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-56. Prohibition Against Requiring Referral From Primary Care Physician to Dermatologist

  It is the intent of the General Assembly to encourage health care cost containment while preserving the quality of care offered to citizens of this state. The General Assembly finds that there is an increasing number of health insurance benefit providers which require a referral from a primary care physician to a dermatologist as a condition of the payment of benefits to an insured patient. The General Assembly finds that such a requirement as it relates to dermatological services may block unfairly a patient's choice of direct access to providers of health care services and may not be in the public interest.   As used in this Code section, the term:   "Dermatological services" means services ordinarily and customarily rendered by a physician specializing in the practice of dermatology.   "Health benefit policy" means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state by a health care corporation, health maintenance organization, accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, or similar entity.     No health benefit policy which is issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state shall require as a condition to the coverage of dermatological services that an enrollee, subscriber, or insured first obtain a referral from a primary care physician, as such term is defined by the group plan, policy, or contract for health care services.     (Code 1981, §33-24-56, enacted by Ga. L. 1995, p. 235, § 1; Ga. L. 2017, p. 164, § 28/HB 127; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 53/SB 133.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, deleted "on or after July 1, 1995," following "renewed in this state" near the middle of subsection (c).   Law reviews.   - For annual survey article discussing developments in insurance law, see 51 Mercer L. Rev. 313 (1999).
GA Code § 33-24-56.2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-56.2. Surveillance Tests for Ovarian Cancer

  As used in this Code section, the term:   "At risk for ovarian cancer" means:   Having a family history:   With one or more first or second-degree relatives with ovarian cancer;   Of clusters of women relatives with breast cancer;   Of nonpolyposis colorectal cancer; or     Testing positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.     "Health benefit policy" means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, executed, or renewed in this state, including, but not limited to, those contracts executed by the state on behalf of state employees under Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45, by an insurer.   "Insurer" means an accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, health care corporation, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, provider sponsored health care corporation, managed care entity, or any similar entity authorized to issue contracts under this title or to provide health benefit policies.   "Surveillance tests" means annual screening using:   CA-125 serum tumor marker testing;   Transvaginal ultrasound; and   Pelvic examination.       Every health benefit policy that is delivered, issued, issued for delivery, executed, or renewed in this state or approved for issuance or renewal in this state by the Commissioner shall provide coverage for surveillance tests for women age 35 and over at risk for ovarian cancer.   The benefits provided in this Code section shall be subject to the same annual deductibles or coinsurance established for all other covered benefits within a given health benefit policy.   A physician who assesses a patient for ovarian cancer and such patient is at risk for ovarian cancer is encouraged to advise such patient of the availability of surveillance tests in accordance with the practices of the profession generally under similar conditions and like surrounding circumstances.     (Code 1981, §33-24-56.2, enacted by Ga. L. 2001, p. 91, § 1; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 54/SB 133.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, substituted "including, but not limited to, those contracts executed by the state" for "including but not limited to those contracts executed by the State of Georgia" in paragraph (a)(2); deleted "hospital service corporation, medical service corporation," following "fraternal benefit society" near the middle of paragraph (a)(3); and deleted "on or after July 1, 2001," following "Commissioner" in the middle of subsection (b).
GA Code § 33-24-56.3 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-56.3. Colorectal Cancer Screening and Testing

  As used in this Code section, the term:   "Health benefit policy" means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, executed, or renewed by an insurer in this state, including, but not limited to, those contracts executed by the Department of Community Health pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Code Section 31-2-4.The term "health benefit policy" does not include the following limited benefit insurance policies: accident only, CHAMPUS supplement, dental, disability income, fixed indemnity, long-term care, medicare supplement, specified disease, vision, and nonrenewable individual policies written for a period of less than six months.   "Insurer" means any person, corporation, or other entity authorized to provide health benefit policies under this title.     Every health benefit policy shall provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening, examinations, and laboratory tests in accordance with guidelines and recommendations established by the American Cancer Society, in consultation with the American College of Gastroenterology and the American College of Radiology, for the ages, family histories, and frequencies referenced in such guidelines and recommendations and deemed appropriate by the attending physician after conferring with the patient.   The benefits provided in this Code section shall be subject to the same annual deductibles or coinsurance established for all other covered benefits within a given health benefit policy.     (Code 1981, §33-24-56.3, enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1089, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-41/HB 228; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 55/SB 133; Ga. L. 2020, p. 493, § 33/SB 429.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, deleted "on or after July 1, 2002," following "insurer in this state" in the middle of the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1); and deleted "the most recently published" preceding "guidelines and recommendations" near the middle of subsection (b).    The 2020 amendment,  effective July 29, 2020, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, revised punctuation in the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1).   Law reviews.   - For note on the 2002 enactment of this Code section, see 19 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 220 (2002).
GA Code § 33-24-58 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-58. Newborn Baby and Mother Protection Act; Short Title

 This Code section and Code Sections 33-24-58.1 and 33-24-58.2 shall be known and may be cited as the "Newborn Baby and Mother Protection Act."    (Code 1981, §33-24-58, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 409, § 1.)   Cross references.   - Breast-feeding of baby, § 31-1-9.    Employer obligation to provide time for women to express breast milk for infant child, § 34-1-6.   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1996, "This Code section and Code Sections 33-24-58.1 and 33-24-58.2" was substituted for "This Act".   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 1996, p. 409, § 2, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "All contracts relating to the provision of health care services in effect on the effective date of this Act shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any change in services provided as required by this Act."   Ga. L. 1996, p. 409, § 3, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "The provisions of this Act shall not be construed to apply to or in any way affect the provisions of the federal Employee's Retirement Income Security Act."   Law reviews.   - For review of 1996 insurance legislation, see 13 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 201 (1996).
GA Code § 33-24-58.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-58.1. Newborn Baby and Mother Protection Act; Legislative Findings and Declaration

 The General Assembly finds and declares that:    Whereas, until recently health care insurers covered costs of hospital stays of a mother and a newborn until they were discharged by a physician after a consultation with the mother. Now many insurers are refusing payment for a hospital stay that extends beyond 24 hours after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 48 hours after a cesarean delivery;   There is sufficient scientific data to question the safety and appropriateness of such early releases from the hospital following delivery, particularly as it relates to the detection of many problems which if undiagnosed may pose life-threatening and costly complications and may require a longer period of observation by skilled personnel;   Guidelines developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend as a minimum that mothers and infants meet certain medical criteria and conditions prior to discharge, and it is unlikely that these criteria and conditions can be met in less than 48 hours following a normal vaginal delivery and 96 hours following a cesarean delivery;   The length of postdelivery inpatient stay should be a clinical decision made by a physician based on the unique characteristics of each mother and her infant, taking into consideration the health of the mother, the health and stability of the baby, the ability and confidence of the mother to care for her baby, the adequacy of support systems at home, and access to appropriate follow-up care; and   Requiring insurers to cover minimum postdelivery inpatient stays will allow identification of early problems with the newborn, prevent disability through appropriate use of metabolic screening, and help ensure that the family is able and prepared to care for the baby at home.     (Code 1981, §33-24-58.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 409, § 1.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1996, this Code section, originally designated as Code Section 33-24-59, was redesignated as Code Section 33-24-58.1.   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 1996, p. 409, § 2, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "All contracts relating to the provision of health care services in effect on the effective date of this Act shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any change in services provided as required by this Act."   Ga. L. 1996, p. 409, § 3, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "The provisions of this Act shall not be construed to apply to or in any way affect the provisions of the federal Employee's Retirement Income Security Act."
GA Code § 33-24-59 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-59. Women's Access to Health Care; Health Insurance; Provision Disclosing Insured's Right to Direct Access to Obstetricians and Gynecologists Required

  The General Assembly finds and declares that the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology is devoted to health care of women throughout their lifetimes.     As used in this Code section, the term "health benefit policy" means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state by a health care corporation, health maintenance organization, accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, or similar entity.   Any accident and sickness policies, plans, or contracts which contain no provisions which require referrals from another physician for coverage of the services of an obstetrician or gynecologist shall not be required to give the notice required in subsection (d) of this Code section.     No health benefit policy which is issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state shall require as a condition to the coverage of services of an obstetrician or gynecologist who is within the health benefit policy network of health care providers that an enrollee, subscriber, or insured first obtain a referral from another physician; provided, however, that the services covered by this subsection shall be limited to those services defined by the published recommendations of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for training as an obstetrician or gynecologist, including, but not limited to, diagnosis, treatment, and referral.   Each health benefit policy which is issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state shall disclose to enrollees, subscribers, or insureds, in clear, accurate language, such person's right to direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists as provided in this Code section.Such information shall be disclosed to each such person at the time of enrollment or otherwise first becoming an enrollee, subscriber, or insured, and at least annually thereafter.     (Code 1981, §33-24-59, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 703, § 2; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1064, § 6; Ga. L. 2017, p. 164, § 30/HB 127; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 61/SB 133.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, deleted "on or after July 1, 1996," following "in this state" in subsections (c) and (d); and, in subsection (c), in the proviso, substituted "Council for Graduate" for "Council For Graduate", and inserted a comma following "including" and following "but not limited to" near the end.   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1996, this Code section, originally designated as Code Section 33-24-58, was redesignated as Code Section 33-24-59.   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 1996, p. 703, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Women's Access to Health Care Act.'"   Law reviews.   - For review of 1998 legislation relating to insurance, see 15 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 153 (1998).
GA Code § 33-24-59.3 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-59.3. Payments Sent Directly to Health Care Provider by Insurer

  As used in this Code section, the term "health care insurer" means any insurer which issues, delivers, issues for delivery, or renews an individual or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state by a health care corporation, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, or other insurer or similar entity. It shall not, however, include a policy of insurance designed, advertised, and marketed to supplement basic health care coverage for hospital, medical-surgical, or major medical expenses so long as said supplemental insurance contract provides for payment directly to the insured.   Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, if a covered person provides in writing to a health care provider, whether the health care provider is a preferred provider or not, that payment for health care services shall be made solely to the health care provider and be sent directly to the health care provider by the health care insurer, and the health care provider certifies to same upon filing a claim for the delivery of health care services, the health care insurer shall make payment solely to the health care provider and shall send said payment directly to the health care provider. This subsection shall not be construed to extend coverages or to require payment for services not otherwise covered.     (Code 1981, §33-24-59.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1382, § 1; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 65/SB 133.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, deleted "hospital service corporation, medical service corporation," following "fraternal benefit society," near the end of the first sentence of subsection (a).   Cross references.   - Preferred provider arrangements, § 33-30-23.   Code Commission notes.   - Ga. L. 1998, p. 649; Ga. L. 1998, p. 660; and Ga. L. 1998, p. 1382 each enacted a Code section designated as Code Section 33-24-59.1. Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1998, the version enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 649 retained the designation as Code Section 33-24-59.1, the version enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 660 was redesignated as Code Section 33-24-59.2, and the version enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1382 was redesignated as Code Section 33-24-59.3.   Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1998, a comma was added following "advertised" and following "medical-surgical" in the last sentence of subsection (a).
GA Code § 33-24-59.4 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-59.4. Confidentiality of Medical Information Obtained From Pharmacies; Restrictions on Release of Information; Penalty for Violation

  As used in this Code section, the term "insurer" means an accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, health care corporation, health maintenance organization, provider sponsored health care corporation, or the plan administrator of any health benefit plan established pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 and includes any entity which administers or processes claims on behalf of any of the foregoing.   Any medical information concerning a patient that was obtained by or released to an insurer from a pharmacy or pharmacist shall be confidential and privileged and may be released by such insurer to a third party for consideration only if such release is specifically authorized by such patient or a person otherwise authorized to act therefor. Any insurer possessing patient medical information which was obtained from a pharmacy or pharmacist shall not release such information to any third party for consideration without the explicit written consent of the patient or a person otherwise authorized to act therefor, which consent was obtained after written notice by the insurer to such patient or person otherwise authorized to act therefor of the purpose of such release, the party or parties to whom the information will be released, and any consideration paid or to be paid to the insurer for such information.   The provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section shall not prohibit the release of medical information by an insurer to a third party for purposes of appropriate medical research without notice to or the written consent of a patient or person authorized to act therefor, provided that such release does not provide any information that identifies a patient, prescriber, pharmacy, or pharmacist, including without limitation any name, address, or telephone number of a patient, prescriber, pharmacy, or pharmacist. Information released in accordance with the provisions of this subsection may be used for appropriate medical research.   Violation of this Code section by any insurer to which any license or certificate of authority has been issued under this title shall constitute an unfair trade practice punishable under Article 1 of Chapter 6 of this title.     (Code 1981, §33-24-59.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 289, § 1; Ga. L. 2017, p. 164, § 32/HB 127; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 66/SB 133.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, substituted "Title 45 and includes any entity which administers" for "Title 45; and such term includes any entity which administrates" near the end of subsection (a).   Law reviews.   - For article, "Is Too Much Privacy Bad for Your Health? An Introduction to the Law, Ethics, and HIPAA Rule on Medical Privacy," see 17 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 481 (2000).
GA Code § 33-24-59.8 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-59.8. Coverage for Prescription Inhalers; No Restriction on the Number of Days Before Obtaining a Refill as Prescribed

 No individual major medical or group health insurance policy, group health insurance plan or policy, or any other form of managed or capitated health care plans or policies issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed containing coverage for prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals shall deny or limit coverage for prescription inhalants required to enable persons to breathe when suffering from asthma or other life-threatening bronchial ailments based upon any restriction on the number of days before an inhaler refill may be obtained if, contrary to such restrictions, such inhalants have been ordered or prescribed by the treating physician.    (Code 1981, §33-24-59.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 559, § 1; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 70/SB 133.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, deleted "on or after July 1, 1999," following "or renewed" in the middle of this Code section.   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1999, this Code section, originally designated as Code Section 33-24-59.4, was redesignated as Code Section 33-24-59.8.
GA Code § 33-24-59.13 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 33 - Insurance|Chapter 24 - Insurance Generally|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 33-24-59.13. Exemptions From Certain Unfair Trade Practices for Certain Wellness and Health Improvement Programs; Incentives

  An insurer issuing life, comprehensive, major medical group, or individual health insurance benefit plans may, in keeping with federal requirements, offer wellness or health improvement programs, including voluntary wellness or health improvement programs that provide for rewards or incentives, including, but not limited to, merchandise, gift cards, debit cards, premium discounts, credits or rebates, contributions towards a member's health savings account, modifications to copayment, deductible, or coinsurance amounts, cash value, or any combination of these incentives, to encourage participation in such wellness or health improvement programs and to reward insureds for participation in such programs.   The offering of such rewards or incentives to insureds under such wellness or health improvement programs shall not be considered an unfair trade practice under Code Section 33-6-4 if such programs are filed with the Commissioner and made a part of the life or health insurance master policy and certificates or the individual life or health insurance evidence of coverage as a policy amendment, endorsement, rider, or other form of policy material as agreed upon by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall be authorized to develop an automatic or expedited approval process for review of such wellness or health improvement programs, including those programs already approved under the laws and regulations of other states.     (Code 1981, §33-24-59.13, enacted by Ga. L. 2010, p. 755, § 2/SB 411; Ga. L. 2012, p. 1080, § 1/SB 337.)