THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2259

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§431:10A-    Coverage for dental and vision treatment; notice.  (a)  Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, each employer group health policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued or renewed in this State after December 31, 2024, that provides coverage to policyholders, shall provide, not as an employer option and not as a deductible, coverage for dental and vision preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment.  The coverage provided shall in no way diminish or limit diagnostic benefits otherwise provided.

     (b)  Every insurer shall provide notice to its policyholders regarding the coverage required by this section.  The notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence sent to policyholders and shall be transmitted to policyholders within calendar year 2025 when annual information is made available to policyholders, or in any other mailing to policyholders, but in no case later than December 31, 2025."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI of article 1 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§432:1-    Coverage for dental and vision treatment; notice.  (a)  Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, each individual and group hospital or medical service plan, policy, contract, or agreement issued or renewed in this State after December 31, 2024, that provides coverage, shall provide, not as an employer option and not as a deductible, coverage for dental and vision preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment.

     (b)  Every mutual benefit society shall provide notice to its members regarding the coverage required by this section.  The notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence sent to members and shall be transmitted to members within calendar year 2025 when annual information is made available to members, or in any other mailing to members, but in no case later than December 31, 2025."

     SECTION 3.  Section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§432D-23  Required provisions and benefits.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued in the State after January 1, 1995, by health maintenance organizations pursuant to this chapter, shall include benefits provided in sections 431:10-212, 431:10A-115, 431:10A-115.5, 431:10A-116, 431:10A-116.2, 431:10A-116.5, 431:10A-116.6, 431:10A-119, 431:10A-120, 431:10A-121, 431:10A-122, 431:10A-125, 431:10A-126, 431:10A-132, 431:10A-133, 431:10A-134, 431:10A-140, [and 431:10A-134,] 431:10A-  , and chapter 431M."

     SECTION 4.  The benefit to be provided by health maintenance organizations corresponding to the benefit provided under section 431:10A-  , Hawaii Revised Statutes, as contained in the amendment to section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 3 of this Act, shall take effect for all policies contracts, plans, or agreements issued in the State after December 31, 2024.

PART II

     SECTION 5.  (a)  The auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to assess the social and financial impacts of the proposed mandated coverage specified in part I of this Act.

     (b)  The auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

PART III

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Auditor; Health; Health Insurance; Employer Health Care Requirements; Dental and Vision; Medicaid; Mandated Coverage; Notice; Sunrise Analysis; Report

 

Description:

Requires each employer group health policy, contract, plan, or agreement and each individual and group hospital or medical service plan, policy, contract, or agreement issued or renewed by health insurers in the State after December 31, 2024, that provides coverage, to provide coverage for dental and vision preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment.  Requires every insurer and mutual benefit society to provide written notice to policyholders and members no later than December 31, 2025.  Requests the Auditor to conduct a sunrise analysis for the mandatory health insurance coverage and submit a report to the Legislature.  Takes effect 12/31/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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