HS HCS HB 762 -- WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES (Barry)

This substitute makes several changes in the law governing the
provision of preventive health care services for women.  In its
main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Requires health carriers that offer obstetrical/
gynecological coverage to provide direct access to an
obstetrician or gynecologist of her choice within the provider
network when such care is medically indicated.  Current law
requires enrollees to provide at least one annual OB/GYN
examination;

(2)  Requires carriers to notify enrollees of cancer screenings
at regular intervals, consistent with American Cancer Society
guidelines;

(3)  Requires coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of
osteoporosis for individuals with a condition or medical history
in which bone mass measurement is medically indicated.  Testing
or treatment must give consideration to peer review medical
literature;

(4)  Requires carriers that provide pharmaceutical coverage to
include coverage for contraceptives, unless contraception is
contrary to the religious beliefs of the enrollee or group
purchasing the plan.  However, when these plans do not include
contraception coverage to the group plan, they must still allow
individuals within the plan to purchase an individual rider
securing this type of coverage; and

(5)  Requires carriers to provide clear and conspicuous notice
in the enrollment form whether contraceptives are included in
the plan and that the individual has the right to have them
included or excluded from the plan.  Carriers are prohibited
from disclosing any individual's request for inclusion or
exclusion of contraceptive coverage.  Further, no carrier or
purchaser of a plan may discriminate against an enrollee because
of the enrollee's request regarding contraceptive coverage.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to All Funds is Unknown in FY
2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.  Expected to exceed $100,000
annually.  Estimated Net cost to General Revenue Fund is Unknown
in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.  Estimated Net Income to
Insurance Dedicated Fund of $10,000 in FY 2002, and $0 in FY
2003 and FY 2004.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:45 am