(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Outpatient clinic” means an organization operated by a municipality or a corporation, other than a hospital, that provides (A) ambulatory medical care, including preventive and health promotion services, (B) dental care, or (C) mental health services in conjunction with medical or dental care for the purpose of diagnosing or treating a health condition that does not require the patient’s overnight care; and

(2) “Urgent care center” means a free-standing facility, distinguished from an emergency department setting, that is licensed as an outpatient clinic under section 19a-491 and that (A) provides treatment of medical conditions that do not require critical or emergent intervention for a life-threatening or potentially permanent disabling condition, (B) offers treatment of such conditions without requiring an appointment, and (C) provides services during times of the day, weekends or holidays when primary care provider offices are not customarily open to patients.

(b) On or after April 1, 2018, no person acting individually or jointly with any other person shall establish, conduct, operate or maintain an urgent care center without obtaining a license as an outpatient clinic under section 19a-491 from the Department of Public Health.

(c) The Commissioner of Public Health may implement policies and procedures as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting the policies and procedures as regulations, provided notice of intent to adopt the regulations is published in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services may establish rates of payment to providers practicing in urgent care centers. The Commissioner of Social Services may implement policies and procedures as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting the policies and procedures as regulations, provided notice of intent to adopt the regulations is published in accordance with the provisions of section 17b-10 not later than twenty days after the date of implementation.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 674.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 effective December 1, 2017.