09 LC 33
2780
House
Bill 489
By:
Representative Marin of the
96th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to require
health benefit policy coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility;
to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to general provisions regarding insurance, is amended by inserting a new Code
section to read as follows:
"33-24-59.13.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Diagnosis and treatment of infertility' means procedures consistent with
established medical practices in the treatment of infertility by licensed
physicians and surgeons including, but not limited to, diagnosis, diagnostic
tests, medication, surgery, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and in vitro
fertilization.
(2)
'Health benefit policy' means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract
for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in
this state which provides major medical benefits, including those contracts
executed by the State of Georgia on behalf of indigents and on behalf of state
employees under Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45, by a health care
corporation, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization,
accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, hospital service
corporation, medical service corporation, or other insurer or similar
entity.
(3)
'Infertility' means the condition of an otherwise presumably healthy individual
who is unable to conceive or sustain a pregnancy during a period of one
year.
(4)
'Insurer' means any person, corporation, or other entity authorized to provide
health benefit policies under this title.
(b)
Every health benefit policy that is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in
this state or approved for issuance or renewal in this state on or after July 1,
2009, shall provide coverage for medically necessary expenses of diagnosis and
treatment of
infertility."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.