CHAPTER 8


98-H 7561A
Enacted 3/19/98


A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE

Introduced By: Representatives Ginaitt, Benson, Naughton, Henseler and Benoit

Date Introduced : January 27, 1998

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:

{ADD 27-18-49. Human leukocyte antigen testing. -- ADD} {ADD Every individual or group hospital or medical services plan contract delivered or renewed in this state on or after the effective date of this act shall include coverage of the cost for human leukocyte antigen testing, also referred to as histocompatibility locus antigen testing, for A, B and DR antigens for utilization in bone marrow transplantation; provided, however, that the testing is performed in a facility which is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or its successors, and is licensed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act as it may be from time to time amended; provided, further, that at the time of such testing, the person being tested completes and signs an informed consent form which also authorizes the results of the test to be used for participation in the National Marrow Donor Program. Such group hospital or medical services plan contract may limit each subscriber to one of such testings per lifetime. ADD}

{ADD This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for: (i) hospital confinement indemnity; (ii) disability income; (iii) accident only; (iv) long term care; (v) medicare supplement; (vi) limited benefit health; (vii) specified disease indemnity; (viii) sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both, and (ix) other limited benefit policies. ADD}

SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 27-19-41. Human leukocyte antigen testing. -- ADD} {ADD Every individual or group hospital or medical services plan contract delivered or renewed in this state on or after the effective date of this act shall include coverage of the cost for human leukocyte antigen testing, also referred to as histocompatibility locus antigen testing, for A, B and DR antigens for utilization in bone marrow transplantation; provided, however, that the testing is performed in a facility which is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or its successors, and is licensed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act as it may be from time to time amended; provided, further, that at the time of such testing, the person being tested completes and signs an informed consent form which also authorizes the results of the test to be used for participation in the National Marrow Donor Program. Such group hospital or medical services plan contract may limit each subscriber to one of such testings per lifetime. ADD}

SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 27-20-36. Human leukocyte antigen testing. -- ADD} {ADD Every individual or group hospital or medical services plan contract delivered or renewed in this state on or after the effective date of this act shall include coverage of the cost for human leukocyte antigen testing, also referred to as histocompatibility locus antigen testing, for A, B and DR antigens for utilization in bone marrow transplantation; provided, however, that the testing is performed in a facility which is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or its successors, and is licensed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act as it may be from time to time amended; provided, further, that at the time of such testing, the person being tested completes and signs an informed consent form which also authorizes the results of the test to be used for participation in the National Marrow Donor Program. Such group hospital or medical services plan contract may limit each subscriber to one of such testings per lifetime. ADD}

SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 27-41-50. Human leukocyte antigen testing. -- ADD} {ADD Every individual or group hospital or medical services plan contract delivered or renewed in this state on or after the effective date of this act shall include coverage of the cost for human leukocyte antigen testing, also referred to as histocompatibility locus antigen testing, for A, B and DR antigens for utilization in bone marrow transplantation; provided, however, that the testing is performed in a facility which is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or its successors, and is licensed under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act as it may be from time to time amended; provided, further, that at the time of such testing, the person being tested completes and signs an informed consent form which also authorizes the results of the test to be used for participation in the National Marrow Donor Program. Such group hospital or medical services plan contract may limit each subscriber to one of such testings per lifetime. ADD}

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.



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