FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 467

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ZIMMERMAN (Sponsor), MORRIS, SCHUPP, HOLSMAN, LOW, PACE, ROORDA, LAMPE, WALTON GRAY, ATKINS, HARRIS, TALBOY, CHAPPELLE-NADAL, KIRKTON, ENGLUND AND YAEGER (Co-sponsors).

0111L.01I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 376, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to insurance coverage for durable medical equipment.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 376, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 376.1235, to read as follows:

            376.1235. 1. Each health carrier or health benefit plan that offers or issues health benefit plans which are delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2010, shall offer coverage for all physician-prescribed medically appropriate and necessary durable medical equipment.

            2. For the purposes of this section, "durable medical equipment" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 1395x(n) and "health carrier" and "health benefit plan" shall have the same meaning as such terms are defined in section 376.1350.

            3. The coverage required by this section shall not be subject to any greater deductible or co-payment than other similar health care services provided by the health benefit plan.

            4. No health carrier or health benefit plan subject to the requirements of this section shall reduce or eliminate any coverage or benefits offered or provided as a result of the requirements of this section.

            5. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a supplemental insurance policy, including a life care contract, accident-only policy, specified disease policy, hospital policy providing a fixed daily benefit only, Medicare supplement policy, long-term care policy, short-term major medical policies of six months' or less duration, or any other supplemental policy as determined by the director of the department of insurance, financial institutions and professional registration.

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