Section 33-24-27. Provision for reimbursement for services within the lawful scope of practice of psychologists or chiropractors

   (a) As used in this Code section, the term "psychologist" means any person who is:

   (1) Duly licensed as a psychologist under Chapter 39 of Title 43, which provides for the licensure of psychologists, and has a doctoral degree from an accredited educational institution and a year of supervised experience in a setting approved by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists;

   (2) Required by Georgia law to meet continuing education requirements as a condition for renewal of licensing; and

   (3) Required to adhere to the American Psychological Association's Ethical Standards of Psychologists (Revised 1977).

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions in policies or contracts which might be construed to the contrary, from and after July 1, 1980, all individual, group, or blanket policies of accident and sickness insurance and individual or group service or indemnity contracts issued by nonprofit corporations or by health care corporations which are issued, delivered, issued for delivery, amended, or renewed in this state and which provide coverage for services which are within the lawful scope of practice of a psychologist or chiropractor duly licensed to practice in this state shall be deemed to provide that any person covered under the policies or contracts shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for services under the policies or contracts regardless of whether they are rendered by a duly licensed doctor of medicine or by a duly licensed psychologist or chiropractor.

Code 1933, § 56-2445, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 1249, § 1; Ga. L. 1980, p. 1279, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3, § 33.