C.__A 2-month supply of prescription drugs approved for smoking cessation purposes by the federal Food and Drug Administration that are prescribed by the insured's treating physician or other appropriate health care practitioner.

2.__Coverage for smoking cessation services.__An insurer that issues group contracts shall provide coverage under those contracts for smoking cessation services.__Coverage must be provided for no more than 3 quit attempts for each insured.__This subsection does not require an insurer to provide coverage for over-the-counter smoking cessation products sold without a prescription.

3.__Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.__Any contract that provides coverage for the services required under this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.

Sec. 4. 24-A MRSA §4249 is enacted to read:

§4249.__Coverage for smoking cessation services

1.__Definition.__As used in this section, "quit attempt" means smoking cessation services consisting of:

A.__Two office visits with the enrollee's treating physician or other appropriate health care practitioner;

B. One follow-up telephone call from the enrollee's treating physician or other appropriate health care practitioner; and

C. A 2-month supply of prescription drugs approved for smoking cessation purposes by the federal Food and Drug Administration that are prescribed by the enrollee's treating physician or other appropriate health care practitioner.

2.__Coverage for smoking cessation services.__A health maintenance organization that issues individual and group contracts shall provide coverage under those contracts for smoking cessation services.__Coverage must be provided for no more than 3 quit attempts for each enrollee.__This subsection does not require a health maintenance organization to provide coverage for over-the-counter smoking cessation products sold without a prescription.

3.__Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.__Any contract that provides coverage for the services required under this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.

Sec. 5. Application. The requirements of this Act apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2002. For purposes of this Act, all contracts, policies and certificates are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract, policy or certificate date.

SUMMARY

This bill requires health insurers, health maintenance organizations and nonprofit hospital and medical service organizations to provide coverage for smoking cessation services in their individual and group policies for up to 3 "quit attempts" per enrollee. The bill does not require coverage for over-the-counter smoking cessation products. The bill applies to all policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2002.