(a) No insurer, health care center, fraternal benefit society, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or other entity delivering, issuing for delivery, renewing, amending or continuing:
(1) An individual or a group dental plan in this state shall include in any contract with a dentist licensed pursuant to chapter 379 that is entered into, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2012, any provision that requires such dentist to accept as payment an amount set by such insurer, center, society, corporation or entity for services or procedures provided to an insured or enrollee that are not covered benefits under such insured's or enrollee's plan; or
(2) An individual or a group vision plan in this state shall include in any contract with an optometrist licensed pursuant to chapter 380 or an ophthalmologist licensed pursuant to chapter 370 that is entered into, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2020, any provision that requires such optometrist or ophthalmologist to accept as payment an amount set by such insurer, center, society, corporation or entity for services, procedures or products provided to an insured or enrollee that are not covered benefits under such insured's or enrollee's plan.
(b) No dentist shall charge more for services or procedures that are not covered benefits than such dentist's usual and customary rate for such services or procedures, and no optometrist or ophthalmologist shall charge more for services, procedures or products that are not covered benefits than such optometrist's or ophthalmologist's usual and customary rate for such services, procedures or products.
(c) (1) Each evidence of coverage for an individual or a group dental plan shall include the following statement:
“IMPORTANT: If you opt to receive dental services or procedures that are not covered benefits under this plan, a participating dental provider may charge you his or her usual and customary rate for such services or procedures. Prior to providing you with dental services or procedures that are not covered benefits, the dental provider should provide you with a treatment plan that includes each anticipated service or procedure to be provided and the estimated cost of each such service or procedure. To fully understand your coverage, you may wish to review your evidence of coverage document.”
(2) Each evidence of coverage for an individual or a group vision plan shall include the following statement:
“IMPORTANT: If you opt to receive optometric or ophthalmologic services, procedures or products that are not covered benefits under this plan, a participating optometrist or ophthalmologist may charge you his or her usual and customary rate for such services, procedures or products. Prior to providing you with optometric or ophthalmologic services, procedures or products that are not covered benefits, the optometrist or ophthalmologist should provide you with a treatment plan that includes each anticipated service, procedure or product to be provided and the estimated cost of each such service, procedure or product. To fully understand your coverage, you may wish to review your evidence of coverage document.”
(d) Each dentist, optometrist and ophthalmologist shall post, in a conspicuous place, a notice stating that services, procedures or products, as applicable, that are not covered benefits under an insurance policy or plan might not be offered at a discounted rate.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) A self-insured plan that covers (A) dental services or procedures, or (B) optometric or ophthalmologic services, procedures or products;
(2) A contract that is incorporated in or derived from a collective bargaining agreement or in which some or all of the material terms are subject to a collective bargaining process;
(3) A contract that is derived from a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time; or
(4) A network of ophthalmologists or optometrists, or both, when servicing a plan or contract described in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection.
(P.A. 11-58, S. 19; P.A. 12-145, S. 9; P.A. 15-122, S. 1; P.A. 19-201, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 11-58 effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 12-145 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 15-122 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provision re prohibition on dental plans for noncovered benefits as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re prohibition on vision plans for noncovered benefits, amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to optometrist and making a technical change, amended Subsec. (c) by designating existing provisions re inclusion of statement in evidence of coverage re noncovered dental services or procedures as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re inclusion of statement in evidence of coverage re noncovered optometric services or procedures, amended Subsec. (d) to add reference to optometrist, and amended Subsec. (e) to add reference to optometric services, effective January 1, 2016; P.A. 19-201 added provisions re ophthalmologists and products in Subsecs. (a)(2), (b), (c)(2), (d) and (e)(1), amended Subsec. (a)(2) by substituting “2020” for “2016”, amended Subsec. (e) by adding Subdiv. (3) re multiemployer plans and adding Subdiv. (4) re networks of ophthalmologists or optometrists, and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2020.
See Sec. 20-138b re health care center or preferred provider network offering ophthalmologic care and optometric care.
See Sec. 20-138d re coverage for services of optometrists.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 700c - Health Insurance
Section 38a-469. - Definitions.
Section 38a-472a. - Medical provider indemnification agreements prohibited.
Section 38a-472g. - Restrictions applicable to prior authorization or precertification.
Section 38a-472j. - Restrictions applicable to cost-sharing for covered benefits. Regulations.
Section 38a-472k. - Disability income policies. Discretionary clauses prohibited. Regulations.
Section 38a-476. - Preexisting condition coverage.
Section 38a-476b. - Standards re psychotropic drug availability in health plans.
Section 38a-477. - Standardized claim forms. Information necessary for filing a claim. Regulations.
Section 38a-477a. - Notification by Insurance Commissioner of required benefits and policy forms.
Section 38a-477bb. - Cost-sharing re facility fees.
Section 38a-477f. - Contract provision prohibiting certain disclosures prohibited.
Section 38a-477ff. - Third-party discounts and payments for covered benefits. Credit required.
Section 38a-477g. - Contracts between health carriers and participating providers.
Section 38a-477h. - Participating provider directories.
Section 38a-477ll. - Coverage for health enhancement programs.
Section 38a-478. - Definitions.
Section 38a-478a. - Commissioner's report to the Governor and the General Assembly.
Section 38a-478f. - Provider profile development requirements.
Section 38a-478g. - Managed care contract requirements. Plan description requirements.
Section 38a-478i. - Limitation on enrollee rights prohibited.
Section 38a-478j. - Coinsurance and deductible payments based on negotiated discounts.
Section 38a-478k. - Gag clauses prohibited.
Section 38a-478l. - Consumer report card required. Content. Data analysis by commissioner.
Section 38a-478o. - Confidentiality and antidiscrimination procedures required.
Section 38a-478p. - Expedited utilization review. Standardized process required.
Section 38a-478q. - Use of laboratories covered by plan required.
Section 38a-478t. - Commissioner of Public Health to receive data.
Section 38a-478u. - Regulations.
Section 38a-479. - Definitions. Access to fee schedules. Fee information to be confidential.
Section 38a-479gg. - Regulations.
Section 38a-479aaa. - Pharmacy benefits managers. Definitions.
Section 38a-479ddd. - Hearing on denial of certificate. Subsequent application.
Section 38a-479eee. - Claims payment to be made by electronic funds transfer upon written request.
Section 38a-479fff. - Expiration of certificates of registration. Renewal. Fees.
Section 38a-479ggg. - Regulations.
Section 38a-479hhh. - Investigations and hearings. Powers of commissioner. Appeals.
Section 38a-479iii. - Pharmacy audits.
Section 38a-479ooo. - Definitions.
Section 38a-479qqq. - Annual report by health carriers. Regulations.
Section 38a-479rrr. - Annual certification by health carriers.
Section 38a-479qq. - Medical discount plans: Definitions, prohibited sales practices, penalties.
Section 38a-482. (Formerly Sec. 38-166). - Form of policy.
Section 38a-482c. - Annual and lifetime limits.
Section 38a-483. (Formerly Sec. 38-167). - Standard provisions of individual health policy.
Section 38a-483a. - Exclusionary riders for individual health insurance policies. Regulations.
Section 38a-483b. - Time limits for coverage determinations. Notice requirements.
Section 38a-483c. - Coverage and notice re experimental treatments. Appeals.
Section 38a-486. (Formerly Sec. 38-170). - Certain acts not to operate as waiver of rights.
Section 38a-487. (Formerly Sec. 38-171). - Coverage after termination date of policy.
Section 38a-488. (Formerly Sec. 38-172). - Discrimination.
Section 38a-488b. - Coverage for autism spectrum disorder therapies.
Section 38a-488d. - Coverage for substance abuse services provided pursuant to court order.
Section 38a-488e. - Coverage for mental health wellness examinations.
Section 38a-488f. - Coverage for services provided under the Collaborative Care Model.
Section 38a-488g. - Acute inpatient psychiatric coverage. Prior authorization not required.
Section 38a-490a. - Coverage for birth-to-three program.
Section 38a-490b. - Coverage for hearing aids.
Section 38a-490c. - Coverage for craniofacial disorders.
Section 38a-490d. - Mandatory coverage for blood lead screening and risk assessment.
Section 38a-491b. - Assignment of benefits to a dentist or oral surgeon.
Section 38a-492a. - Mandatory coverage for hypodermic needles and syringes.
Section 38a-492b. - Coverage for certain off-label drug prescriptions.
Section 38a-492d. - Mandatory coverage for diabetes screening, testing and treatment.
Section 38a-492e. - Mandatory coverage for diabetes outpatient self-management training.
Section 38a-492f. - Mandatory coverage for certain prescription drugs removed from formulary.
Section 38a-492g. - Mandatory coverage for prostate cancer screening and treatment.
Section 38a-492h. - Mandatory coverage for certain Lyme disease treatments.
Section 38a-492i. - Mandatory coverage for pain management.
Section 38a-492j. - Mandatory coverage for ostomy-related supplies.
Section 38a-492k. - Mandatory coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
Section 38a-492m. - Mandatory coverage for certain renewals of prescription eye drops.
Section 38a-492n. - Mandatory coverage for certain wound-care supplies.
Section 38a-492o. - Mandatory coverage for bone marrow testing.
Section 38a-492p. - Mandatory coverage for medically monitored inpatient detoxification.
Section 38a-492q. - Mandatory coverage for essential health benefits.
Section 38a-492t. - Mandatory coverage for prosthetic devices.
Section 38a-492u. - Coverage for psychotropic drugs. Standards re availability.
Section 38a-494. (Formerly Sec. 38-174l). - Home health care by recognized nonmedical systems.
Section 38a-495b. - Medicare supplement policies and certificates. Definitions.
Section 38a-495d. - Refund of prepaid premium for Medicare supplement policies.
Section 38a-496. (Formerly Sec. 38-174q). - Coverage for occupational therapy.
Section 38a-498a. - Prior authorization prohibited for certain 9-1-1 emergency calls.
Section 38a-498b. - Mandatory coverage for mobile field hospital.
Section 38a-503a. - Mandatory coverage for breast cancer survivors.
Section 38a-503b. - Carriers to permit direct access to obstetrician-gynecologist.
Section 38a-503e. - Mandatory coverage for contraceptives and sterilization.
Section 38a-503g. - Mandatory coverage for ovarian cancer screening and monitoring.
Section 38a-504a. - Coverage for routine patient care costs associated with certain clinical trials.
Section 38a-504b. - Clinical trial criteria.
Section 38a-504d. - Clinical trials: Routine patient care costs.
Section 38a-504e. - Clinical trials: Billing. Payments.
Section 38a-504g. - Clinical trials: Submission and certification of policy forms.
Section 38a-506. (Formerly Sec. 38-173). - Penalty.
Section 38a-507. - Coverage for services performed by chiropractors.
Section 38a-508. - Coverage for adopted children.
Section 38a-509. - Mandatory coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. Limitations.
Section 38a-510. - Prescription drug coverage. Mail order pharmacies. Step therapy use.
Section 38a-510a. - Prescription drug coverage. Synchronized refills.
Section 38a-511. - Copayments re in-network imaging services.
Section 38a-512. - Applicability of statutes to certain major medical expense policies.
Section 38a-512a. - Continuation of coverage.
Section 38a-512c. - Annual and lifetime limits.
Section 38a-513a. - Time limits for coverage determinations. Notice requirements.
Section 38a-513b. - Coverage and notice re experimental treatments. Appeals.
Section 38a-513f. - Claims information to be provided to certain employers. Restrictions. Subpoenas.
Section 38a-513g. - Employer submission of plan cost information to Comptroller.
Section 38a-514a. - Biologically-based mental illness. Coverage required.
Section 38a-514b. - Coverage for autism spectrum disorder.
Section 38a-514d. - Coverage for substance abuse services provided pursuant to court order.
Section 38a-514e. - Coverage for mental health wellness exams.
Section 38a-514f. - Coverage for services provided under the Collaborative Care Model.
Section 38a-514g. - Acute patient psychiatric coverage. Prior authorization not required.
Section 38a-515. - Continuation of coverage of mentally or physically handicapped children.
Section 38a-516. - Coverage for newly born children. Notification to insurer.
Section 38a-516a. - Coverage for birth-to-three program.
Section 38a-516b. - Coverage for hearing aids.
Section 38a-516c. - Coverage for craniofacial disorders.
Section 38a-516d. - Coverage for neuropsychological testing for children diagnosed with cancer.
Section 38a-517. - Coverage for services performed by dentist in certain instances.
Section 38a-517b. - Assignment of benefits to a dentist or oral surgeon.
Section 38a-518a. - Mandatory coverage for hypodermic needles and syringes.
Section 38a-518b. - Coverage for certain off-label drug prescriptions.
Section 38a-518d. - Mandatory coverage for diabetes screening, testing and treatment.
Section 38a-518e. - Mandatory coverage for diabetes outpatient self-management training.
Section 38a-518f. - Mandatory coverage for certain prescription drugs removed from formulary.
Section 38a-518g. - Mandatory coverage for prostate cancer screening and treatment.
Section 38a-518h. - Mandatory coverage for certain Lyme disease treatments.
Section 38a-518i. - Mandatory coverage for pain management.
Section 38a-518j. - Mandatory coverage for ostomy-related supplies.
Section 38a-518k. - Mandatory coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
Section 38a-518l. - Mandatory coverage for certain renewals of prescription eye drops.
Section 38a-518m. - Mandatory coverage for certain wound-care supplies.
Section 38a-518o. - Mandatory coverage for bone marrow testing.
Section 38a-518p. - Mandating coverage for medically monitored inpatient detoxification.
Section 38a-518q. - Mandatory coverage for essential health benefits.
Section 38a-518t. - Mandatory coverage for prosthetic devices.
Section 38a-518u. - Coverage for psychotropic drugs. Standards re availability.
Section 38a-521. - Home health care by recognized nonmedical systems.
Section 38a-522. - Medicare supplement policies. Coverage of home health aide service.
Section 38a-524. - Coverage for occupational therapy.
Section 38a-525a. - Prior authorization prohibited for certain 9-1-1 emergency calls.
Section 38a-525b. - Mandatory coverage for mobile field hospital.
Section 38a-526. - Coverage for services of physician assistants and certain nurses.
Section 38a-530a. - Mandatory coverage for breast cancer survivors.
Section 38a-530b. - Carriers to permit direct access to obstetrician-gynecologist.
Section 38a-530e. - Mandatory coverage for contraceptives and sterilization.
Section 38a-530g. - Mandatory coverage for ovarian cancer screening and monitoring.
Section 38a-534. - Coverage for services performed by chiropractors.
Section 38a-536. - Mandatory coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. Limitations.
Section 38a-542a. - Coverage for routine patient care costs associated with certain clinical trials.
Section 38a-542b. - Clinical trial criteria.
Section 38a-542d. - Clinical trials: Routine patient care costs.
Section 38a-542e. - Clinical trials: Billing. Payments.
Section 38a-542g. - Clinical trials: Submission and certification of policy forms.
Section 38a-543. (Formerly Sec. 38-262j). - Reduction of payments on basis of Medicare eligibility.
Section 38a-544. - Prescription drug coverage. Mail order pharmacies. Step therapy use.
Section 38a-544a. - Prescription drug coverage. Synchronized refills.
Section 38a-549. - Coverage for adopted children.
Section 38a-550. - Copayments re in-network imaging services.
Section 38a-551. (Formerly Sec. 38-371). - Definitions.
Section 38a-552. (Formerly Sec. 38-372). - Provision of service to certain low-income individuals.
Section 38a-556a. - Connecticut Clearinghouse.
Section 38a-558. (Formerly Sec. 38-380). - Office of Health Care Access.
Section 38a-560. - Small employer grouping for health insurance coverage.
Section 38a-564. - Definitions.
Section 38a-565. - Special health care plans.
Section 38a-567. - Provisions of small employer plans and arrangements.
Section 38a-569. - Connecticut Small Employer Health Reinsurance Pool.
Section 38a-573. - Validity of separate provisions.
Section 38a-574. - Standard family health statement.
Section 38a-577. (Formerly Sec. 38-174ii). - Consumer dental health plans. Definitions.
Section 38a-578. (Formerly Sec. 38-174jj). - Certificate of authority. Application requirements.
Section 38a-580. (Formerly Sec. 38-174ll). - General surplus required.
Section 38a-584. (Formerly Sec. 38-174pp). - Complaint system.
Section 38a-588. (Formerly Sec. 38-174tt). - Penalty. Insolvency.
Section 38a-589. (Formerly Sec. 38-174uu). - Confidentiality.
Section 38a-590. (Formerly Sec. 38-174vv). - Commissioner's power to adopt regulations.
Section 38a-591. - Compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Regulations.
Section 38a-591a. - Definitions.
Section 38a-591b. - Health carrier responsibilities re utilization review.
Section 38a-591c. - Utilization review criteria and procedures.
Section 38a-591g. - External reviews and expedited external reviews.
Section 38a-591h. - Record-keeping requirements. Report to commissioner upon request.
Section 38a-591i. - Regulations.
Section 38a-591k. - Violations. Notice and hearing. Penalties. Appeal.