09 LC 37 0895

Senate Bill 245

By: Senators Thomas of the 54th, Hawkins of the 49th, Unterman of the 45th, Goggans of the 7th and Moody of the 56th

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 generally, so as to require that a health benefit plan that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy shall provide coverage for orally administered cancer medication; 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 generally, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"33-24-56.5.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'health benefit policy' means any individual or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued, delivered, issued for delivery, executed, or renewed by an insurer in this state on or after July 1, 2002, including, but not limited to, those contracts executed by the Department of Community Health pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of Code Section 31-5A-4. The term 'health benefit policy' does not include the following limited benefit insurance policies: accident only, CHAMPUS supplement, dental, disability income, fixed indemnity, long-term care, medicare supplement, specified disease, vision, and nonrenewable individual policies written for a period of less than six months.

(b) A health benefit plan that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for a prescribed, orally administered anticancer medication used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis no less favorable than intravenously administered or injected cancer medications that are covered as medical benefits."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.