Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§12-C is enacted to read:
12-C. Title 24-A, sections 2763, 2847-N and 4254. Coverage for colorectal cancer screening, Title 24-A, sections 2763, 2847-N and 4254;
Sec. 2. 24-A MRSA §2763 is enacted to read:
1. Colorectal cancer screening. For the purposes of this section, "colorectal cancer screening" means a colorectal cancer examination and laboratory test recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
2. Required coverage. All individual health insurance policies and contracts must provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic individuals who are: A. Fifty years of age or older; or
B. Less than 50 years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
3. Billing. If a colonoscopy is recommended by a health care provider as the colorectal cancer screening test in accordance with this section and a lesion is discovered and removed during that colonoscopy, the health care provider must bill the insurance company for a screening colonoscopy as the primary procedure.
Sec. 3. 24-A MRSA §2847-N is enacted to read:
1. Colorectal cancer screening. For the purposes of this section, "colorectal cancer screening" means a colorectal cancer examination and laboratory test recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
2. Required coverage. All group health insurance policies, contracts and certificates must provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic individuals who are: A. Fifty years of age or older; or
B. Less than 50 years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
3. Billing. If a colonoscopy is recommended by a health care provider as the colorectal cancer screening test in accordance with this section and a lesion is discovered and removed during that colonoscopy, the health care provider must bill the insurance company for a screening colonoscopy as the primary procedure.
Sec. 4. 24-A MRSA §4254 is enacted to read:
1. Colorectal cancer screening. For the purposes of this section, "colorectal cancer screening" means a colorectal cancer examination and laboratory test recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
2. Required coverage. All health maintenance organization individual and group health insurance policies, contracts and certificates must provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic individuals who are: A. Fifty years of age or older; or
B. Less than 50 years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
3. Billing. If a colonoscopy is recommended by a health care provider as the colorectal cancer screening test in accordance with this section and a lesion is discovered and removed during that colonoscopy, the health care provider must bill the insurance company for a screening colonoscopy as the primary procedure.
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, 2009. For purposes of this Act, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
Sec. 6. Exemption from review. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 2752, this Act is enacted without review and evaluation by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance.’
This amendment replaces the bill and is the majority report of the committee. The amendment requires health insurance policies, contracts and certificates to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening recommended by health care providers in accordance with guidelines published by the American Cancer Society. The amendment clarifies that, if a colonoscopy is provided as the screening procedure and a lesion is discovered and removed, the health care provider must bill the insurer for a screening colonoscopy as the primary procedure. The provisions of the amendment apply to all policies, contracts and certificates issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2009.