Chapter 538

2006 -- S 2178 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/10/06

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEATH INSURANCE

          

     Introduced By: Senators Gibbs, Breene, Perry, Pichardo, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2006

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness

Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

     27-18-68. Mandatory coverage for scalp hair prosthesis. – (a) Every individual or

group hospital or medical expense insurance policy or individual or group hospital or medical

services plan contract delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after January 1,

2007, which provides coverage for any other prosthesis, shall provide coverage for expenses for

scalp hair prosthesis worn for hair loss suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer

or leukemia; provided, however, that such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and

guidelines as other prosthesis, and that coverage shall not exceed an amount of three hundred fifty

dollars ($350) per covered member per year, exclusive of any deductible.

     (b) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for: (1) hospital

confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long-term care; (5) Medicare

supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified disease indemnity; (8) sickness or bodily

injury or death by accident or both; and (9) other limited benefit policies.

 

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

     27-19-59. Mandatory coverage for scalp hair prosthesis. – (a) Every individual or

group hospital or medical expense insurance policy or individual or group hospital or medical

services plan contract delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after January 1,

2007, which provides coverage for any other prosthesis, shall provide coverage for expenses for

scalp hair prosthesis worn for hair loss suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer

or leukemia; provided, however, that such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and

guidelines as other prosthesis, and that coverage shall not exceed an amount of three hundred fifty

dollars ($350) per covered member per year, exclusive of any deductible.

     (b) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for: (1) hospital

confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long- term care; (5) Medicare

supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified disease indemnity; (8) sickness or bodily

injury or death by accident or both; and (9) other limited benefit policies.

 

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

     27-20-54. Mandatory coverage for scalp hair prosthesis. – (a) Every individual or

group hospital or medical expense insurance policy or individual or group hospital or medical

services plan contract delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after January 1,

2007, which provides coverage for any other prosthesis shall provide coverage for expenses for

scalp hair prosthesis worn for hair loss suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer

or leukemia; provided, however, that such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and

guidelines as other prosthesis, and that coverage shall not exceed an amount of three hundred fifty

dollars ($350) per covered member per year, exclusive of any deductible.

     (b) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for: (1) hospital

confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long-term care; (5) Medicare

supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified disease indemnity; (8) sickness or bodily

injury or death by accident or both; and (9) other limited benefit policies.

 

     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

     27-41-71. Mandatory coverage for scalp hair prosthesis. -- Every individual or group

hospital or medical expense insurance policy or individual or group hospital or medical services

plan contract delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2007,

which provides coverage for any other prosthesis shall provide coverage for expenses for scalp

hair prosthesis worn for hair loss suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer or

leukemia; provided, however, that such coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and

guidelines as other prosthesis, and that coverage shall not exceed an amount of three hundred fifty

dollars ($350) per covered member per year, exclusive of any deductible.

     (b) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for: (1) hospital

confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long-term care; (5) Medicare

supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified disease indemnity; (8) sickness or bodily

injury or death by accident or both; and (9) other limited benefit policies.

 

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00493/SUB A

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