52:17B-197 Definitions relative to joint negotiations by physicians and dentists with carriers.

2. As used in this act:

"Carrier" means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or health maintenance organization which is authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State and a dental service corporation or dental plan organization authorized to issue dental plans in this State.

"Covered person" means a person on whose behalf a carrier which offers a health benefits or dental plan is obligated to pay benefits or provide services pursuant to the plan.

"Covered service" means a health care or dental service provided to a covered person under a health benefits or dental plan for which the carrier is obligated to pay benefits or provide services.

"Dental plan" means a benefits plan which pays or provides dental expense benefits for covered services and is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by or through a dental carrier.

"Dentist" means a person who is licensed to practice dentistry by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry in accordance with the provisions of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

"Health benefits plan" means a plan which pays or provides hospital and medical expense benefits for covered services, and is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by or through a carrier. For the purposes of this act, health benefits plan shall not include the following plans, policies or contracts: Medicare supplement coverage and risk contracts, accident only, specified disease or other limited benefit, credit, disability, long-term care, CHAMPUS supplement coverage, coverage arising out of a workers' compensation or similar law, automobile medical payment insurance, personal injury protection insurance issued pursuant to P.L.1972, c.70 (C.39:6A-1 et seq.), dental or vision care coverage only, or hospital expense or confinement indemnity coverage only.

"Joint negotiation representative" means a representative selected by two or more independent physicians or dentists to engage in joint negotiations with a carrier on their behalf.

"Physician" means a person who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery by the State Board of Medical Examiners in accordance with the provisions of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

"Utilization management" means a system for reviewing the appropriate and efficient allocation of health care or dental services under a health benefits or dental plan in accordance with specific guidelines, for the purpose of determining whether, or to what extent, a health care or dental service that has been provided or is proposed to be provided to a covered person is to be covered under the health benefits or dental plan.

L.2001,c.371,s.2; per s.15, act expires April 8, 2008.