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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2323 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO INSURANCE COVERAGE OF HEALTH SCREENINGS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that some women may have difficulty receiving proper screenings for sexually transmitted diseases. The legislature further finds that more than 1,200,000 people in the United States are living with human immunodeficiency virus and almost one in eight affected persons is unaware of the infection. It is estimated that, each year, more than fifty thousand cases of human immunodeficiency virus are reported with one in four of the new infections striking those aged between thirteen and twenty-four. Furthermore, Hawaii has the fifteenth highest rate of chlamydial infection in the country, with significant disparities across age and racial and ethnic groups in disease prevalence.
The legislature additionally finds that despite clear national recommendations for sexually transmitted disease testing, rates of testing in young women are troublingly low. Early detection of sexually transmitted diseases is paramount to proper health care. Preventive health services can save lives and improve health by identifying illnesses earlier, managing illnesses more effectively, and treating illnesses before they develop into more complicated, debilitating conditions. The legislature also finds that certain health care providers may not screen specifically for some sexually transmitted diseases, even though the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 requires health insurance to cover recommended preventive health services without any patient cost sharing.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to ensure insurance coverage for sexually transmitted disease testing in accordance with national professional guidelines.
SECTION 2. Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I of article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§431:10A- Sexually transmitted disease testing coverage. (a) Each policy of accident and health or sickness insurance issued or renewed in this State, except for policies that only provide coverage for specified diseases or other limited benefit coverage as described in section 431:10A-102.5, shall provide coverage for sexually transmitted disease testing in accordance with national professional guidelines, such as those of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(b) Each accident and health or sickness insurer shall reimburse all costs associated with the coverage under subsection (a) to any physician or health care provider complying with this section."
SECTION 3. 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- Sexually transmitted disease testing coverage. (a) Each hospital or medical service plan contract issued or renewed in this State, except for plan contracts that only provide coverage for specified diseases or other limited benefit coverage as described in section 431:10A-102.5, shall provide coverage for sexually transmitted disease testing in accordance with national professional guidelines, such as those of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(b) Each mutual benefit society shall reimburse all costs associated with the coverage under subsection (a) to any physician or health care provider complying with this section."
SECTION 4. 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, [and] 431:10A-140, and 431:10A- , and chapter
431M."
SECTION 5. Section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not apply to this Act.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050,
and shall apply to policies, contracts, and plans of health insurance issued or renewed after January 1, 2017.
Report Title:
Women's Caucus; Health Screenings; Health Insurance Coverage; Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing
Description:
Ensures insurance coverage for sexually transmitted disease testing in accordance with national professional guidelines, such as those of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Applies to health insurance policies, contracts, and plans issued or renewed after 1/1/2017. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.