Relating to insurance coverage and Medicaid coverage for annual lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals

This bill relates to insurance coverage and medical assistance program (Medicaid) coverage for annual lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals. The bill defines “at-risk individual” as a recipient or covered person 50 years of age or older that either has smoked cigarettes regularly or experienced secondhand smoke regularly, has an immediate family member diagnosed with lung cancer, or has been regularly exposed to asbestos, radon, arsenic, nickel, chromium, tar, or soot in the individual’s home or workplace. The bill defines “lung cancer screening” as a scan of the lungs using low-dose computed tomography. Under the bill, the department of health and human services shall seek any federal waiver necessary for Medicaid to provide coverage for an annual lung cancer screening for at-risk individuals. Contingent on receiving approval of, and effective immediately upon receiving approval of, a federal waiver, Medicaid shall provide coverage for annual lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals. The bill requires a policy, contract, or plan providing for third-party payment or prepayment of health or medical expenses to provide coverage for an annual lung cancer screening for an at-risk individual. Cost-sharing shall not be imposed by a health carrier for coverage required under the bill. Coverage required under the bill shall not be less favorable than coverage a health carrier offers for screening mammograms. The bill applies to third-party payment providers enumerated in the bill, and the commissioner of insurance may adopt rules to administer the requirements of the bill applying to such third-party payment providers. The bill specifies the types of specialized health-related insurance which are not subject to the coverage requirements of the bill.