00                       CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 393(L&C)                                                                    
01 "An Act requiring that certain health care insurance plans provide coverage for the                                     
02 costs of colorectal cancer screening examinations and laboratory tests; and providing                                   
03 for an effective date."                                                                                                 
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section                          
06 to read:                                                                                                                
07       SHORT TITLE. This Act may be known as the Colorectal Cancer Screening Coverage                                    
08 Act of 2006.                                                                                                            
09    * Sec. 2. AS 21.42 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                     
10            Sec. 21.42.377. Coverage for colorectal cancer screening. (a) Except for a                                 
11       fraternal benefit society, a health care insurer that offers, issues for delivery, delivers,                      
12       or renews in this state a health care insurance plan shall provide coverage for the costs                         
13       of colorectal cancer screening examinations and laboratory tests under the schedule                               
14       described in (b) of this section. The coverage required by this section is subject to                             
01       standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, including deductible or                                  
02       copayment provisions.                                                                                             
03            (b)  The minimum coverage required under (a) of this section for colorectal                                  
04       cancer screening includes coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory                              
05       tests specified in current American Cancer Society guidelines or United States                                    
06       Preventative Services Task Force guidelines for colorectal cancer screening of                                    
07       asymptomatic individuals.                                                                                         
08            (c)  Coverage provided under this section applies to a covered individual who                                
09       is                                                                                                                
10                 (1)  at least 50 years of age; or                                                                       
11                 (2)  less than 50 years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer.                                  
12            (d)  All screening options identified in (b) of this section shall be covered by                             
13       the insurer, with the choice of option determined by the covered individual in                                    
14       consultation with a health care provider.                                                                         
15            (e)  For individuals considered to be at average risk for colorectal cancer,                                 
16       coverage or benefits shall be provided for the choice of screening, so long as it is                              
17       conducted in accordance with the specified frequency. For individuals considered at                               
18       high risk for colorectal cancer, screening shall be provided at a frequency determined                            
19       necessary by a health care provider.                                                                              
20            (f)  Each health care insurer or health benefit plan shall notify each enrollee                              
21       annually of the coverage for colorectal cancer screenings and provide the current                                 
22       American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screenings. The notice shall                             
23       be delivered by mail unless the enrollee and health carrier have agreed on another                                
24       method of notification.                                                                                           
25            (g)  In this section, "individual considered at high risk for colorectal cancer"                             
26       means an individual who faces a high risk for colorectal cancer because of                                        
27                 (1)  family history;                                                                                    
28                 (2)  prior experience of cancer or precursor neoplastic polyps;                                         
29                 (3)  a history of chronic digestive disease condition, including                                        
30       inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's Disease, or ulcerative colitis;                                               
31                 (4)  the presence of any appropriate recognized gene markers for                                        
01       colorectal cancer; or                                                                                             
02                 (5)  other predisposing factors.                                                                        
03    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2007.