State Mandated Benefits: Direct Access to OB/GYNs, 2008
| Mandates Direct Access to OB/GYNs? | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 36 + DC Yes | |
| Alabama | Yes | |
| Alaska | No | |
| Arizona | No | |
| Arkansas | Yes | |
| California | Yes | Exception: does not apply to specialized health care service plan. |
| Colorado | Yes | In the alternative, a request for a timely referral shall not be unreasonably withheld. |
| Connecticut | Yes | |
| Delaware | Yes | Prohibits additional copay or surcharge; enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| District of Columbia | Yes | |
| Florida | Yes | Limit of one (1) visit per year. |
| Georgia | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Hawaii | No | |
| Idaho | Yes | |
| Illinois | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Indiana | No | |
| Iowa | No | |
| Kansas | Yes | Limit of one (1) visit per year to an in-network OB/GYN. |
| Kentucky | Yes | Direct access provided for an annual pap smear. |
| Louisiana | Yes | At least two (2) visits a year, where the second visit is permitted based upon medical necessity, plus any care related to pregnancy. |
| Maine | Yes | Limit of one (1) visit a year. |
| Maryland | Yes | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Requires direct access for an annual preventative health exam, maternity care, and medically necessary gynecologic evaluations and subsequent necessary treatments. Prohibits additional copay or surcharge. |
| Michigan | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Minnesota | Yes | Prohibits additional copay requirement. |
| Mississippi | Yes | |
| Missouri | Yes | Limit of one (1) visit per year currently. Prohibits additional copay and provides unlimited access. |
| Montana | Yes | Prohibits additional copay or surcharge; enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Nebraska | No | |
| Nevada | Yes | |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement; limit of 1 visit per year. |
| New Jersey | No | |
| New Mexico | No | |
| New York | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement; at least 2 visits a year covered. |
| North Carolina | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| North Dakota | No | |
| Ohio | Yes | Prohibits limiting the number of visits provided per year and imposing additional copays or surcharges. |
| Oklahoma | No | |
| Oregon | Yes | At least 1 exam a year, plus medically necessary follow-up care or pregnancy-related services. |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Limit of 1 visit a year. |
| South Carolina | Yes | At least 2 visits a year for any female enrollee over 13 years of age. Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| South Dakota | No | |
| Tennessee | No | |
| Texas | Yes | Prohibits additional copay or surcharge; enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Utah | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Vermont | No | |
| Virginia | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement; limit of 1 visit per year. |
| Washington | Yes | |
| West Virginia | Yes | Prohibits additional copay or surcharge; enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Enrollees must be notified about direct access requirement. |
| Wyoming | No | |
| Guam | No | |
| Puerto Rico | No | |
| Virgin Islands | No | |
| Notes: | Data as of February 2008. |
| Sources: | Health Policy Tracking Service, a service of Thomson West, available at http://www.netscan.com. |
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