California Health and Safety Code

§ 1367.63

HSC § 1367.63 Effective Jan 1, 2012Div. 2 · Ch. 2.2 · Art. 5

Statute text

(a)Every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered in this state on or after July 1, 1999, shall cover reconstructive surgery, as defined in subdivision (c), that is necessary to achieve the purposes specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a plan to provide coverage for cosmetic surgery, as defined in subdivision (d).

(b)No individual, other than a licensed physician competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the care requested, may deny initial requests for authorization of coverage for treatment pursuant to this section. For a treatment authorization request submitted by a podiatrist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the request may be reviewed by a similarly licensed individual, competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the care requested.

(c)(1) “Reconstructive surgery” means surgery performed to correct or repair abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease to do either of the following:

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Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 367, Sec. 3. (AB 574) Effective January 1, 2012.