HB622.html

To amend Chapter 20A of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to managed health care plans, so as to include providers of emergency prehospital health care and emergency medical transportation within the definition of emergency health care provider; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Chapter 20A of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to managed health care plans, is amended by striking subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of Code Section 33-20A-9, relating to emergency services requirements, in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
"(1)(A) In the event that a patient seeks emergency services and if necessary in the opinion of the emergency health care provider responsible for the patient´s emergency care and treatment and warranted by his or her evaluation, such emergency provider may initiate necessary intervention to stabilize the condition of the patient without seeking or receiving prospective authorization by the managed care entity or managed care plan. No managed care entity or private health benefit plan may subsequently deny payment for an evaluation, diagnostic testing, or treatment provided as part of such intervention for an emergency condition. For purposes of this Code section, the term 'emergency health care provider' includes without limitation an emergency services provider and a licensed or permitted provider of emergency prehospital health care or emergency medical transportation."