A. Any health benefit plan, including the State and Education Employees Group Health Insurance Plan, that is offered, issued or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2002, which provides medical and surgical benefits, shall offer coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests for cancer for any nonsymptomatic covered individual, in accordance with standard, accepted published medical practice guidelines for colorectal cancer screening, who is:
1. At least fifty (50) years of age; or
2. Less than fifty (50) years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to the standard, accepted published medical practice guidelines.
B. The coverage provided for by this section shall be subject to the same annual deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance limits as established for other covered benefits under the health plan.
C. To minimize costs for nonsymptomatic screening, third-party reimbursement may be at the existing Medicaid rate which shall be payment in full.
D. As used in this section, “health benefit plan” means any plan or arrangement as defined in subsection C of Section 6060.4 of this title; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to policies or certificates issued to individuals or to groups with fifty (50) or fewer employees, or to plans offered under the state Medicaid program.
Added by Laws 2001, c. 409, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2001. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 222, § 39, eff. Nov. 1, 2010.