H. B. 3128
(By Delegates Susman, Yeager, Poling,
Martin, Ennis, Fleischauer and Perdue)
[Introduced February 21, 2003; referred to the
Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.]
A BILL to amend article sixteen, chapter thirty-three of the code
of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section
eighteen, relating to providing insurance coverage for
osteoporosis screening and treatment.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article sixteen, chapter thirty-three of the code of
West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be
amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section
eighteen, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 16. GROUP ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE.
§33-16-18. Osteoporosis screening; treatment.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary any accident and sickness policy or certificate issued in this state after the first
day of July, two thousand four, by any licensed health management
organization, group or individual insurer, hospital service
corporation or medical service corporation must include a benefit
for an annual osteoporosis screening for each insured above the age
of thirty. In addition, the policy or certificate must provide for
the treatment of osteoporosis. If the policy or certificate
provides a pharmacy benefit, the plan must also cover
pharmaceutical treatment for osteoporosis.
Benefits are subject to normal copayments and deductibles as
established by the policy or certificate.
The commissioner shall by the first day of July, two thousand
three, promulgate emergency rules providing for the type of tests
that are covered by this section and other matters related to the
implementation of this benefit.
NOTE:
The purpose of this bill is to
require health issuers
in this state to provide coverage for osteoporosis screening and
treatment.
This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and
underscoring have been omitted.