GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001

SENATE BILL 132
RATIFIED BILL

AN ACT to require health insurance plans to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 51 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new section to read:
"§ 58-3-179.  Coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
(a)	Every health benefit plan, as defined in G.S. 58-3-167, shall provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests for cancer, in accordance with the most recently published American Cancer Society guidelines or guidelines adopted by the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control for colorectal cancer screening, for any nonsymptomatic covered individual who is:
(1)	At least 50 years of age, or
(2)	Less than 50 years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer according to the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society or guidelines adopted by the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control.
The same deductibles, coinsurance, and other limitations as apply to similar services covered under the plan apply to coverage for colorectal examinations and laboratory tests required to be covered under this section."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 58‑50‑155 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑50‑155.  Standard and basic health care plan coverages.
(a)	Notwithstanding G.S. 58‑50‑125(c), the standard health plan developed and approved under G.S. 58‑50‑125 shall provide coverage for all of the following:
(1)	Mammograms and pap smears at least equal to the coverage required by G.S. 58‑51‑57.
(2)	Prostate‑specific antigen (PSA) tests or equivalent tests for the presence of prostate cancer at least equal to the coverage required by G.S. 58‑51‑58.
(3)	Reconstructive breast surgery resulting from a mastectomy at least equal to the coverage required by G.S. 58‑51‑62.
(4)	For a qualified individual, scientifically proven bone mass measurement for the diagnosis and evaluation of osteoporosis or low bone mass at least equal to the coverage required by G.S. 58‑3‑174.
(5)	Prescribed contraceptive drugs or devices that prevent pregnancy and that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as contraceptives, or outpatient contraceptive services at least equal to the coverage required by G.S. 58‑3‑178, if the plan covers prescription drugs or devices, or outpatient services, as applicable. The same exceptions and exclusions as are provided under G.S. 58‑3‑178 apply to standard plans developed and approved under G.S. 58‑50‑125.
(6)	Colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests at least equal to the coverage required by G.S. 58-3-179.
(b)	Notwithstanding G.S. 58‑50‑125(c), in developing and approving the plans under G.S. 58‑50‑125, the Committee and Commissioner shall give due consideration to cost‑effective and life‑saving health care services and to cost‑effective health care providers."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective January 1, 2002, and applies to all health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on and after that date.  For the purposes of this act, renewal of a health benefit plan is presumed to occur on each anniversary of the date on which coverage was first effective on the person or persons covered by the health benefit plan.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 16th day of May, 2001.

	_____________________________________
		 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	_____________________________________
		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	_____________________________________
		 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2001