632.855(3)
(3) Denial of treatment. A health care plan or a self-insured health plan that receives a request for prior authorization of an experimental procedure that includes all of the required information upon which to make a decision shall, within 5 working days after receiving the request, issue a coverage decision. If the health care plan or self-insured health plan denies coverage of an experimental treatment, procedure, drug or device for an insured who has a terminal condition or illness, the health care plan or self-insured health plan shall, as part of its coverage decision, provide the insured with a denial letter that includes all of the following:
632.855(3)(a)
(a) A statement setting forth the specific medical and scientific reasons for denying coverage.
632.855(3)(b)
(b) Notice of the insured's right to appeal and a description of the appeal procedure.
632.855 History
History: 1997 a. 237.
632.86
632.86
Restrictions on pharmaceutical services. 632.86(1)(a)
(a) "Disability insurance policy" has the meaning given in
s. 632.895 (1) (a), except that the term does not include coverage under a health maintenance organization, as defined in
s. 609.01 (2), a limited service health organization, as defined in
s. 609.01 (3), a preferred provider plan, as defined in
s. 609.01 (4), or a sickness care plan operated by a cooperative association organized under
ss. 185.981 to
185.985.
632.86(1)(b)
(b) "Pharmaceutical mail order plan" means a plan under which prescribed drugs or devices are dispensed through the mail.
632.86(2)
(2) No group or blanket disability insurance policy that provides coverage of prescribed drugs or devices through a pharmaceutical mail order plan may do any of the following:
632.86(2)(a)
(a) Exclude coverage, expressly or by implication, of any prescribed drug or device provided by a pharmacist or pharmacy selected by a covered individual if the pharmacist or pharmacy provides or agrees to provide prescribed drugs or devices under the terms of the policy and at the same cost to the insurer issuing the policy as a pharmaceutical mail order plan.
632.86(2)(b)
(b) Contain coverage, deductible or copayment provisions for prescribed drugs or devices provided by a pharmacist or pharmacy selected by a covered individual that are different from the coverage, deductible or copayment provisions for prescribed drugs or devices provided by a pharmaceutical mail order plan.
632.86 History
History: 1991 a. 70.
632.87
632.87
Restrictions on health care services. 632.87(1)
(1) No insurer may refuse to provide or pay for benefits for health care services provided by a licensed health care professional on the ground that the services were not rendered by a physician as defined in
s. 990.01 (28), unless the contract clearly excludes services by such practitioners, but no contract or plan may exclude services in violation of
sub. (2),
(2m),
(3),
(4) or
(5).
632.87(2)
(2) No insurer may, under a contract or plan covering vision care services or procedures, refuse to provide coverage for vision care services or procedures provided by an optometrist licensed under
ch. 449 within the scope of the practice of optometry, as defined in
s. 449.01 (1), if the contract or plan includes coverage for the same services or procedures when provided by another health care provider.
632.87(2m)(a)(a) No health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan that provides vision care services or procedures within the scope of the practice of optometry, as defined in
s. 449.01 (1), may do any of the following:
632.87(2m)(a)1.
1. Fail to provide to persons covered by the health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan, at the time of enrollment and annually thereafter, a listing of then participating vision care providers, including participating optometrists, setting forth the names of the vision care providers in alphabetical order by last name and their respective business addresses and telephone numbers, with the listing of participating vision care providers to be incorporated in any listing of all participating health care providers that includes the same information regarding all providers, if such listing is provided at the time of enrollment and annually thereafter, or with the listing of participating vision care providers otherwise to be provided separately.
632.87(2m)(a)2.
2. Fail to provide to persons covered by the health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan, at the time vision care services or procedures are needed, the opportunity to choose optometrists from the listing under
subd. 1. from whom the persons may obtain covered vision care services and procedures within the scope of the practice of optometry, as defined in
s. 449.01 (1).
632.87(2m)(a)3.
3. Fail to include as participating providers in the health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan optometrists licensed under
ch. 449 in sufficient numbers to meet the demand of persons covered by the health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan for optometric services.
632.87(2m)(a)4.
4. When vision care services or procedures are deemed appropriate by the health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan, restrict or discourage a person covered by the health maintenance organization or preferred provider plan from obtaining covered vision care services or procedures, within the scope of the practice of optometry as defined in
s. 449.01 (1), from participating optometrists solely on the basis that the providers are optometrists.
632.87(3)(a)(a) No policy, plan or contract may exclude coverage for diagnosis and treatment of a condition or complaint by a licensed chiropractor within the scope of the chiropractor's professional license, if the policy, plan or contract covers diagnosis and treatment of the condition or complaint by a licensed physician or osteopath, even if different nomenclature is used to describe the condition or complaint. Examination by or referral from a physician shall not be a condition precedent for receipt of chiropractic care under this paragraph. This paragraph does not:
632.87(3)(a)1.
1. Prohibit the application of deductibles or coinsurance provisions to chiropractic and physician charges on an equal basis.
632.87(3)(a)2.
2. Prohibit the application of cost containment or quality assurance measures to chiropractic services in a manner that is consistent with cost containment or quality assurance measures generally applicable to physician services and that is consistent with this section.
632.87(3)(b)
(b) No insurer, under a policy, plan or contract covering diagnosis and treatment of a condition or complaint by a licensed chiropractor within the scope of the chiropractor's professional license, may do any of the following:
632.87(3)(b)1.
1. Restrict or terminate coverage for the treatment of a condition or a complaint by a licensed chiropractor within the scope of the chiropractor's professional license on the basis of other than an examination or evaluation by or a recommendation of a licensed chiropractor or a peer review committee that includes a licensed chiropractor.
632.87(3)(b)2.
2. Refuse to provide coverage to an individual because that individual has been treated by a chiropractor.
632.87(3)(b)3.
3. Establish underwriting standards that are more restrictive for chiropractic care than for care provided by other health care providers.
632.87(3)(b)4.
4. Exclude or restrict health care coverage of a health condition solely because the condition may be treated by a chiropractor.
632.87(3)(c)
(c) An exclusion or a restriction that violates
par. (b) is void in its entirety.
632.87(4)
(4) No policy, plan or contract may exclude coverage for diagnosis and treatment of a condition or complaint by a licensed dentist within the scope of the dentist's license, if the policy, plan or contract covers diagnosis and treatment of the condition or complaint by another health care provider, as defined in
s. 146.81 (1).
632.87(5)
(5) No insurer or self-insured school district, city or village may, under a policy, plan or contract covering gynecological services or procedures, exclude or refuse to provide coverage for Papanicolaou tests, pelvic examinations or associated laboratory fees when the test or examination is performed by a licensed nurse practitioner, as defined in
s. 632.895 (8) (a) 3., within the scope of the nurse practitioner's professional license, if the policy, plan or contract includes coverage for Papanicolaou tests, pelvic examinations or associated laboratory fees when the test or examination is performed by a physician.
632.87 Annotation
Legislative Council Note, 1975: This [sub. (1)] continues (and expands the scope of) s. 207.04 (1) (k) [repealed by this act], which does not deal with an unfair marketing practice but an unduly restrictive interpretation of an insurance contract. Presently it applies only to podiatrists but the same principles apply to all health care professionals. Since the legislature has licensed podiatrists (s. 448.10 et. seq.), as well as other health care professionals who are not physicians, applicable insurance contracts should provide benefits for their services or payment to them, as well as for those of physicians, unless they are specifically and clearly excluded by a policy which has been approved by the commissioner. But general principles of freedom of contract should be operative if the contract is clear enough. Parties negotiating for insurance coverage should be free to decide what kind of health care services they want and are willing to pay for. [Bill 16-S]
632.875
632.875
Independent evaluations relating to chiropractic treatment. 632.875(1)(a)
(a) "Chiropractor" means a person licensed to practice chiropractic under
ch. 446.
632.875(1)(b)
(b) "Independent evaluation" means an examination or evaluation by or recommendation of a chiropractor or a peer review committee under
s. 632.87 (3) (b) 1.
632.875(1)(c)
(c) "Patient" means a person whose treatment by a chiropractor is the subject of an independent evaluation.
632.875(1)(d)
(d) "Treating chiropractor" means a chiropractor who is treating a patient and whose treatment of the patient is the subject of an independent evaluation.
632.875(2)
(2) If, on the basis of an independent evaluation, an insurer restricts or terminates a patient's coverage for the treatment of a condition or complaint by a chiropractor acting within the scope of his or her license and the restriction or termination of coverage results in the patient becoming liable for payment for his or her treatment, the insurer shall provide to the patient and to the treating chiropractor a written statement that contains all of the following:
632.875(2)(d)
(d) A description of the insurer's internal appeal process that is available to the patient.
632.875(2)(e)
(e) A statement indicating that the patient may, no later than 30 days after receiving the statement required under this subsection, request an internal appeal of the insurer's restriction or termination of coverage.
632.875(2)(f)
(f) The address to which the patient should send the request for an appeal.
632.875(2)(g)
(g) A reasonable explanation of the factual basis and of the basis in the policy, plan or contract or in applicable law for the insurer's restriction or termination of coverage.
632.875(2)(h)
(h) A list of records and documents reviewed as part of the independent evaluation.
632.875(3)(a)(a) In this subsection, "claim" means a patient's claim for coverage, under a policy, plan or contract covering diagnosis and treatment of a condition or complaint by a licensed chiropractor within the scope of the chiropractor's professional license, the restriction or termination of which coverage is the subject of an independent evaluation.
632.875(3)(b)
(b) A chiropractor who conducts an independent evaluation may not be compensated by an insurer based on a percentage of the dollar amount by which a claim is reduced as a result of the independent evaluation.
632.875(4)
(4) Subject to
sub. (2) (e), an insurer shall make available to a patient an internal procedure by which the patient may appeal an insurer's decision to restrict or terminate coverage.
632.875(5)
(5) This section does not apply to any of the following:
632.875(5)(b)
(b) Any line of property and casualty insurance except disability insurance. In this paragraph, "disability insurance" does not include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage or medical payment coverage.
632.875 History
History: 1995 a. 94.
632.88
632.88
Policy extension for handicapped children. 632.88(1)(1)
Termination of coverage. Every hospital or medical expense insurance policy or contract that provides that coverage of a dependent child of a person insured under the policy shall terminate upon attainment of a limiting age for dependent children specified in the policy shall also provide that the age limitation may not operate to terminate the coverage of a dependent child while the child is and continues to be both:
632.88(1)(a)
(a) Incapable of self-sustaining employment because of mental retardation or physical handicap; and
632.88(1)(b)
(b) Chiefly dependent upon the person insured under the policy for support and maintenance.
632.88(2)
(2) Proof of incapacity. The insurer may require that proof of the incapacity and dependency be furnished by the person insured under the policy within 31 days of the date the child attains the limiting age, and at any time thereafter except that the insurer may not require proof more frequently than annually after the 2-year period immediately following attainment of the limiting age by the child.
632.88 History
History: 1975 c. 375.
632.89
632.89
Required coverage of alcoholism and other diseases. 632.89(1)(d)
(d) "Inpatient hospital services" means services for the treatment of nervous and mental disorders or alcoholism and other drug abuse problems that are provided in a hospital to a bed patient in the hospital.
632.89(1)(e)
(e) "Outpatient services" means nonresidential services for the treatment of nervous or mental disorders or alcoholism or other drug abuse problems provided to an insured and, if for the purpose of enhancing the treatment of the insured, a collateral by any of the following:
632.89(1)(e)1.
1. A program in an outpatient treatment facility, if both are approved by the department of health and family services, the program is established and maintained according to rules promulgated under
s. 51.42 (7) (b) and the facility is certified under
s. 51.04.
632.89(1)(e)2.
2. A licensed physician who has completed a residency in psychiatry, in an outpatient treatment facility or the physician's office.
632.89(1)(e)3.
3. A licensed psychologist who is listed in the national register of health service providers in psychology or who is certified by the American board of professional psychology.
632.89(1)(em)
(em) "Policy year" means any period of time as defined by the group or blanket disability insurance policy that does not exceed 12 consecutive months.
632.89(1)(f)
(f) "Transitional treatment arrangements" means services for the treatment of nervous or mental disorders or alcoholism or other drug abuse problems that are provided to an insured in a less restrictive manner than are inpatient hospital services but in a more intensive manner than are outpatient services, and that are specified by the commissioner by rule under
sub. (4).
632.89(2)(a)1.1. A group or blanket disability insurance policy issued by an insurer shall provide coverage of nervous and mental disorders and alcoholism and other drug abuse problems if required by and as provided in
pars. (b) to
(e).
632.89(2)(a)2.
2. Except as provided in
pars. (b) to
(e), coverage of conditions under
subd. 1. by a policy may be subject to exclusions or limitations, including deductibles and copayments, that are generally applicable to other conditions covered under the policy.
632.89(2)(b)
(b)
Minimum coverage of inpatient hospital, outpatient and transitional treatment arrangements. 632.89(2)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., if a group or blanket disability insurance policy issued by an insurer provides coverage of inpatient hospital treatment or outpatient treatment or both, the policy shall provide coverage in every policy year as provided in
pars. (c) to
(dm), as appropriate, except that the total coverage under the policy for a policy year need not exceed $7,000 or the equivalent benefits measured in services rendered.
632.89(2)(b)2.
2. The amount under
subd. 1. may be reduced if the policy is written in combination with major medical coverage to the extent that results in combined coverage complying with
subd. 1.
632.89(2)(c)
(c)
Minimum coverage of inpatient hospital services. 632.89(2)(c)1.1. If a group or blanket disability insurance policy issued by an insurer provides coverage of any inpatient hospital treatment, the policy shall provide coverage for inpatient hospital services for the treatment of conditions under
par. (a) 1. as provided in
subd. 2.
632.89(2)(c)2.
2. Except as provided in
par. (b), a policy under
subd. 1. shall provide coverage in every policy year for not less than the lesser of the following:
