A07407 Summary:

BILL NO    A07407 

SAME AS    Same as S 1907

SPONSOR    Cymbrowitz (MS)

COSPNSR    Maisel, Pheffer, Colton, Barron, Castro, Fields, Gabryszak, Galef,
           Gunther, Hyer-Spencer, Jaffee, Reilly, Robinson, Stirpe, Titone,
           Zebrowski, Boyland, Cahill, Titus

MLTSPNSR   Brennan, Glick, Gordon, Gottfried, Hooper, McEneny, Meng, Sweeney,
           Weinstein, Weisenberg

Amd SS3221 & 3216, Ins L

Provides insurance coverage for diagnostic screening for colorectal cancer
determined by policyholder's physician and ancillary services.

A07407 Actions:

BILL NO    A07407 

04/06/2009 referred to insurance
01/06/2010 referred to insurance

A07407 Votes:

A07407 Memo:

BILL NUMBER:A7407

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to
providing insurance coverage for colorectal cancer early detection

PURPOSE:

Provides insurance coverage for diagnostic screening for colorectal
cancer.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Adds a new paragraph 12-a of section 3221 subsection (1) of the insur-
ance law providing that comprehensive care policies covering physician
services and major medical expenses shall also include coverage for
annual screenings for colon cancer for individuals over the age of 50,
or over 40 if there is a family history or other high risk factors. Such
coverage shall include both diagnostic procedures and any ancillary
services, including pathology and anesthesiology, that are medically
necessary and appropriate.

JUSTIFICATION:

Colon cancer kills an estimated 55,000 people each year in the U.S. What
many people don't realize is that this second-leading cancer killer is
highly preventable--and 90 percent curable when detected early with
appropriate screening. In fact, the colon cancer death rate in this
country could be cut in half if Americans simply followed the screening
guidelines. Unfortunately, fewer than half the people at risk for colon
cancer are getting screened for the disease. And confusion about whether
insurance covers recommended screening procedures is one of the known
barriers to screening. Currently 31 states have failed to require suffi-
cient insurance coverage of colorectal cancer screening--far more states
have laws that guarantee coverage of preventative tests for cancers with
lower death rates, such as breast and cervical cancers.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New legislation

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to all policies
of life, accident and health insurance issued after such date.