56-7-2401 - Reimbursement for services of optometrists, psychologists, podiatrists and social workers.
56-7-2401. Reimbursement for services of optometrists, psychologists, podiatrists and social workers.
(a) Whenever any policy of insurance issued in this state provides for reimbursement for any service that is within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed optometrist, as defined in § 63-8-102; a licensed psychologist designated as a health service provider, as provided by title 63, chapter 11; licensed psychological examiner; certified psychological assistant supervised as provided by title 63, chapter 11; licensed senior psychological examiner; a duly licensed podiatrist as defined in § 63-3-101; or a duly licensed independent practitioner of social work, as defined in § 63-23-103, the insured or other person entitled to benefits under the policy shall be entitled to reimbursement for the services, whether the services are performed by a duly licensed physician; by a duly licensed optometrist; by a duly licensed podiatrist; by a duly licensed psychologist designated as a health service provider; by a duly licensed psychological examiner supervised as provided by title 63, chapter 11; by a certified psychological assistant supervised as provided by title 63, chapter 11; by a duly licensed senior psychological examiner; or by a duly licensed independent practitioner of social work, not to exceed the percentage of reimbursement provided for psychiatrists in the policy, notwithstanding any other provision in the policy.
(b) Reimbursements shall be made in a timely manner.
(c) The provisions of this section relating to podiatric services shall apply to all contracts, plans or policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 1981.
(d) As used in this section, licensed psychologist designated as a health service provider includes all psychologists previously licensed as clinical, school and counseling psychologists pursuant to title 63, chapter 11, prior to June 30, 1993, and who have been designated as health service providers.
[Acts 1965, ch. 357, § 1; 1974, ch. 450, § 1; T.C.A., § 56-1145; Acts 1981, ch. 168, §§ 1, 2, 10; 1982, ch. 821, §§ 2, 3; 1985, ch. 27, § 1; 1992, ch. 984, § 2; 1992, ch. 991, § 19; T.C.A., § 56-7-108; Acts 1994, ch. 845, § 1; 2001, ch. 334, §§ 9-11.]