(a) Every policy of disability insurance that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2002, that covers hospital, medical, or surgery expenses shall provide coverage for a vaccine for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is approved for marketing by the federal Food and Drug Administration and that is recommended by the United States Public Health Service.
(b) This section may not be construed to require a policy to provide coverage for any clinical trials relating to an AIDS vaccine or for any AIDS vaccine that has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration in the form of an investigational new drug application.
(c) This section shall not apply to vision only, dental only, accident only, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, CHAMPUS supplement, long-term care, or disability income insurance. For hospital indemnity, accident only, or specified disease insurance coverage, benefits under this section shall apply only to the extent that the benefits are covered under the general terms and conditions that apply to all other benefits under the policy or certificate. Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing a new benefit mandate on accident only, hospital indemnity, or specified disease insurance.
(d) Nothing in this section is to be construed in any manner to limit or impede a disability insurer’s power or responsibility to negotiate the most cost-effective price for vaccine purchases.
(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 634, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2002.)