27-20-50. Coverage for early intervention services.

(a) Every individual or group hospital or medical expense insurance policy or contract

providing coverage for dependent children, delivered or renewed in this state on or after July 1,

2004, shall include coverage of early intervention services which coverage shall take effect no later

than January 1, 2005. The coverage shall be limited to a benefit of five thousand dollars ($5,000)

per dependent child per policy or calendar year and shall not be subject to deductibles and

coinsurance factors. Any amount paid by an insurer under this section for a dependent child shall

not be applied to any annual or lifetime maximum benefit contained in the policy or contract. For

the purpose of this section, “early intervention services” means, but is not limited to: speech and

language therapy; occupational therapy; physical therapy; evaluation; case management; nutrition;

service plan development and review; nursing services; and assistive technology services and

devices for :

(1) dependents Dependents from birth to age three (3) who are certified by the department

of executive office of health and human services (“EOHHS”) as eligible for services under part

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq.) ; or

(2) Dependents who are older than age three (3) and are eligible for services pursuant to §

23-13-22 and are certified by the EOHHS as eligible for services under Part C of the Individuals

with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq.) .