Craniofacial anomaly — Coverage for reconstructive surgery required

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  1. (a)

    1. (1) A health benefit plan that is offered, issued, provided, or renewed in this state shall include coverage and benefits for reconstructive surgery and related medical care for a person of any age who is diagnosed as having a craniofacial anomaly if the surgery and treatment are medically necessary to improve a functional impairment that results from the craniofacial anomaly as determined by a nationally approved cleft-craniofacial team, approved by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

    2. (2) A nationally approved cleft-craniofacial team for cleft-craniofacial conditions shall:

      1. (A) Evaluate a person with a craniofacial anomaly; and

      2. (B) Coordinate a treatment plan for each person.

    3. (3) After one (1) denial or any limitation of coverage that is based on the lack of medical necessity to improve a functional impairment, the case shall be referred for an external review under State Insurance Department Rule 76, the Arkansas External Review Regulation, if applicable, or under a similar procedure for external review established by a third-party administrator of a health benefit plan.

  2. (b) Medical care coverage required under this section includes coverage for reconstructive surgery, dental care, vision care, and the use of at least one (1) hearing aid.


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