HOUSE CONSUMER AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 406

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE; REQUIRING INSURERS TO COVER PERIODIC COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING TESTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 59A, Article 22 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COVERAGE OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING.--

          A. An individual or group health insurance policy, health care plan and certificate of health insurance that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for colorectal screening for determining the presence of precancerous or cancerous conditions and other health problems. The coverage shall make available colorectal cancer screening, as determined by the health care provider in accordance with national medical standards.

          B. Coverage for colorectal screening may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate.

          C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified- disease policies."

     Section 2. A new section of Chapter 59A, Article 23 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COVERAGE OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING.--

          A. A blanket or group health policy, health care plan or certificate of health insurance that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for colorectal screening for determining the presence of precancerous or cancerous conditions and other health problems. The coverage shall make available colorectal cancer screening, as determined by the health care provider in accordance with national medical standards.

          B. Coverage for colorectal screening may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate.

          C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified- disease policies."

     Section 3. A new section of the Health Maintenance Organization Law is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COVERAGE OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING.--

          A. An individual or group health maintenance organization contract that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for colorectal screening for determining the presence of precancerous or cancerous conditions and other health problems. The coverage shall make available colorectal cancer screening, as determined by the health care provider in accordance with national medical standards.

          B. Coverage for colorectal screening may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate."

     Section 4. A new section of the Nonprofit Health Care Plan Law is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COVERAGE OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING.--

          A. An individual or group health policy, health care plan or certificate of health insurance that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for colorectal screening for determining the presence of precancerous or cancerous conditions and other health problems. The coverage shall make available colorectal cancer screening, as determined by the health care provider in accordance with national medical standards.

          B. Coverage for colorectal screening may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate.

          C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified- disease policies."

- 4 -