H. B. 2613
(By Delegates Susman, Martin and
Ennis)
[Introduced
January 11, 2006
; referred to the
Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-18
, relating
to providing insurance coverage for osteoporosis screening and
treatment.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended
by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-18
, 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 five, 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
five, 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.