A. The health maintenance organization must permit a physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology to serve as a primary care physician if the physician qualifies under the organization's credentialling policy.   [PL 1995, c. 617, §5 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 617, §6 (AFF).]

B. All group plan contracts must provide coverage for an annual gynecological examination, including routine pelvic and clinical breast examinations, performed by a physician, certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife participating in the plan, without requiring the prior approval of the primary care physician.   [PL 1995, c. 617, §5 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 617, §6 (AFF).]

C. If the examination specified in paragraph B reveals a gynecological condition for which another visit to the physician participating in the plan is medically required and appropriate, or for any gynecological care beyond the annual examination, the carrier may require the patient or the examining physician, certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife to secure from the patient's primary care physician a referral to the participating physician, certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife from whom such care may be obtained.   [PL 1995, c. 617, §5 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 617, §6 (AFF).]