§ 23-13-14 - Newborn screening program.
SECTION 23-13-14
§ 23-13-14 Newborn screening program.– (a) The physician attending a newborn child shall cause that child to besubject to newborn screening tests for metabolic, endocrine, hemoglobinopathydisorders, and other conditions including assessment for developmental risk.The department of health shall make rules and regulations pertaining toscreenings, diagnostic, and treatment services as accepted medical practiceshall indicate. The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parentsof the child object to the tests on the grounds that those tests conflict withtheir religious tenets and practices.
(b) In addition, the department of health is authorized toestablish by rule and regulation a reasonable fee structure for the newbornscreening and disease control program, which includes but is not limited toscreening, diagnostic, and treatment services. The program shall be a coveredbenefit and be reimbursable by all health insurers, as defined in §27-38.2-2(1), providing health insurance coverage in Rhode Island except forsupplemental policies which only provide coverage for specific diseases,hospital indemnity Medicare supplements, or other supplemental policies. Thedepartment of human services shall pay for the program where the patient iseligible for medical assistance under the provisions of chapter 8 of title 40.The charges for the program shall be borne by the hospitals or otherhealth-care facilities where births occur in the absence of a third-partypayor. Nothing in this section shall preclude the hospital or health carefacility from billing the patient directly.
(c) There is created within the general fund a restrictedreceipt account to be known as the "newborn screening account" to implement theprovisions of § 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14. All funds received pursuantto § 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14 shall be deposited in the account.Funding dedicated exclusively to implement the provisions of § 23-13-13and § 23-13-14 and received by the department of health from sources otherthan those identified in § 23-13-13 and § 23-13-14 may also bedeposited in the newborn screening account. The general treasurer is authorizedand directed to draw his or her orders on the account upon receipt of properlyauthenticated vouchers from the department of health.