HCS HB 455 -- HEALTH INSURANCE

SPONSOR:  Holand (Thompson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 12 to 1.

Effective January 1, 2004, this substitute requires health
insurance policies to provide coverage for prostheses and scalp
hair prostheses worn as a result of hair loss due to alopecia
areata or alopecia totalis (areas of hair loss or total hair
loss).

The insurance coverage for the prostheses and scalp hair
prostheses is limited to persons 18 years of age or younger.  The
substitute provides a maximum benefit amount up to $200 per
calendar year and a lifetime maximum benefit amount of $3,200.
Covered persons can also request a one-time benefit which will
not exceed $3,200.  Health insurers are not prohibited from
providing coverage that is greater or more favorable to covered
persons than is contained in the substitute.

Covered persons cannot be subject to any greater deductibles or
copayments than similar health care services covered by a policy,
contract, or plan.

Certain insurance polices such as supplemental policies and
specified disease policies are excluded from the provisions of
the substitute.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that persons who suffer from alopecia
areata or alopecia totalis should have access to insurance
coverage and should not be treated differently than persons who
have other medical conditions.  The bill will help reduce the
stigma associated with hair loss.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Thompson; St. Louis
Alopecia Areata Foundation; Olivia Penn; Tyler Morice; Diana C.
Morice; Jennifer Brassard; and Missouri Statewide Parent Advisory
Network.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that mandating
insurance coverage for prostheses and scalp hair prostheses will
eventually result in increased health insurance premiums for
enrollees.

Testifying against the bill were Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Missouri; Group Health Plan; and Missouri Association of Health
Plans.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am