(1) covered under a self-insurance program established under section 7(b) of this chapter to provide group health coverage; or

     (b) As used in this section, “early intervention services” means services provided to a first steps child under IC 12-12.7-2 and 20 U.S.C. § 1432(4).

     (c) As used in this section, “first steps child” means an infant or toddler from birth through two (2) years of age who is enrolled in the Indiana first steps program and is a covered individual.

     (d) As used in this section, “first steps program” refers to the program established under IC 12-12.7-2 and 20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq. to meet the needs of:

(1) children who are eligible for early intervention services; and

(2) their families.

The term includes the coordination of all available federal, state, local, and private resources available to provide early intervention services within Indiana.

     (e) As used in this section, “health benefits plan” means a:

(1) self-insurance program established under section 7(b) of this chapter to provide group health coverage; or

(2) contract with a prepaid health care delivery plan that is entered into or renewed under section 7(c) of this chapter.

     (f) A health benefits plan that provides coverage for early intervention services shall reimburse the first steps program a monthly fee established by the division of disability and rehabilitative services established by IC 12-9-1-1. Except when the monthly fee is less than the product determined under IC 12-12.7-2-23(b), the monthly fee shall be provided instead of claims processing of individual claims.

     (g) The reimbursement required under subsection (f) may not be applied to any annual or aggregate lifetime limit on the first steps child’s coverage under the health benefits plan.

     (h) The first steps program may pay required deductibles, copayments, or other out-of-pocket expenses for a first steps child directly to a provider. A health benefits plan shall apply any payments made by the first steps program to the health benefits plan’s deductibles, copayments, or other out-of-pocket expenses according to the terms and conditions of the health benefits plan.

     (i) A health benefits plan may not require authorization for services specified in the covered individual’s individualized family service plan, if those services are a covered benefit under the plan, once the individualized family service plan is signed by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant.

     (j) The department of insurance shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to ensure compliance with this section.

As added by P.L.121-1999, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.47; P.L.93-2006, SEC.2; P.L.229-2011, SEC.69; P.L.111-2020, SEC.1; P.L.133-2020, SEC.17; P.L.143-2022, SEC.1.