Bill Text: CT HB06550 | 2011 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning Medicaid Coverage For Smoking Cessation Treatment.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-28 - Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations [HB06550 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2011-HB06550-Comm_Sub.html

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General Assembly		Raised Bill No. 6550
January Session, 2011		LCO No. 3928
		*_____HB06550HS_APP032311____*
Referred to Committee on Human Services
Introduced by:
(HS)

AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR SMOKING CESSATION TREATMENT.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 17b-278a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):

The Commissioner of Social Services shall amend the Medicaid state plan to provide coverage for treatment for smoking cessation [ordered] recommended by a licensed health care [professional] provider. A prescription from a health care provider who possesses a valid and current state licensure [to prescribe such] shall be required for legend drugs. [in accordance with a plan developed by the commissioner to provide smoking cessation services. The commissioner shall present such plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations by January 1, 2003, and, if such plan is approved by said committees and funding is provided in the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, such plan shall be implemented on July 1, 2003. If the initial treatment provided to the patient for smoking cessation, as allowed by the plan, is not successful as determined by a licensed health care professional, all prescriptive options for smoking cessation shall be available to the patient.] Smoking cessation treatment provided under the Medicaid state plan shall be consistent with the United States Public Health Service clinical practice guideline for tobacco use and dependence and shall include (1) legend and over-the-counter drugs, and (2) counseling by a physician, qualified clinician or other person trained and experienced in providing tobacco use cessation counseling. Coverage under the Medicaid state plan, as amended in accordance with this section, shall be limited to not more than two treatment plans per year for each Medicaid beneficiary.

Sec. 2. Section 17b-280a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):

Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no payment shall be made under a medical assistance program administered by the Department of Social Services, except for the medical assistance program established pursuant to section 17b-256, for an over-the-counter drug, except for (1) insulin, insulin syringes and nutritional supplements for individuals who are required to be tube fed or who cannot safely ingest nutrition in any other form, and as may be required by federal law; and (2) smoking cessation drugs as provided in section 17b-278a, as amended by this act.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	July 1, 2011	17b-278a
Sec. 2	July 1, 2011	17b-280a

HS

Joint Favorable C/R

APP