5. Home health care services. "Home health care services" has the same meaning as set forth in section 2745, subsections 1 and 2, except that the requirements of section 2745, subsection 1, paragraph A shall not apply means those health care services rendered in a person's place of residence on a part-time basis to a covered person only if the plan covering the home health services is established as prescribed in writing by a physician.

There is no requirement that hospitalization be an antecedent to coverage under the policy.__Home health care services include:

A.__Visits by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to carry out treatments prescribed or supportive nursing care and observation as indicated;

B.__A physician's home or office visits or both;

C.__Visits by a registered physical, speech, occupational, inhalation or dietary therapist for services or for evaluation of, consultation with and instruction of nurses in carrying out therapy prescribed by the attending physician, or both;

D.__Any prescribed laboratory tests and x-ray examination using hospital or community facilities, drugs, dressings, oxygen or medical appliances and equipment as prescribed by a physician, but only to the extent that such charges would have been covered under the contract if the covered person had remained in the hospital; and

E.__Visits by persons who have completed a home health aide training course under the supervision of a registered nurse for the purpose of giving personal care to the patient and performing light household tasks as required by the plan of care, but not including services.

SUMMARY

The purpose of this bill is to allow health insurance carriers to offer a simple package of basic health care insurance that is affordable for more of the citizens of the State. The bill repeals existing state-mandated benefits, mandated health insurance coverage and mandated offerings of health benefits.

This bill also corrects cross-references necessitated by the repeal of the various provisions of law.