Chapter 176S

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:— ''Carrier'', (1) an insurer licensed or otherwise authorized to transact accident or health insurance under chapter 175; (2) a nonprofit hos…

Section 2. The commissioner and the group insurance commission shall require that all carriers recognize physician assistants as participating providers subject to section 3 and shall include coverage on a nondiscriminatory basis to their insureds for care provided by physician a…

Section 3. A participating provider physician assistant practicing within the scope of such physician assistant's license, including all regulations requiring collaboration with or supervision by a physician under section 9E of chapter 112, shall be considered qualified within th…

Section 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a carrier that requires the designation of a primary care provider shall provide its insured with an opportunity to select a participating provider physician assistant as a primary care provider.

Section 5. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a carrier shall ensure that all participating provider physician assistants are included on any publicly accessible list of participating providers for the carrier.

Section 6. A complaint for noncompliance against a carrier shall be filed with and investigated by the commissioner or the group insurance commission, whichever shall have regulatory authority over the carrier. The commissioner and the group insurance commission shall promulgate …