00                      CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 393(HES)                                                                    
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 American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening                             
06       of asymptomatic individuals. Coverage shall be provided for all colorectal screening                              
07       examinations and tests that are administered at a frequency identified in the American                            
08       Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer.                                                                  
09            (c)  Coverage provided under this section applies to a covered individual who                                
10       is                                                                                                                
11                 (1)  at least 50 years of age; or                                                                       
12                 (2)  less than 50 years of age and at high risk for colorectal cancer.                                  
13            (d)  All screening options identified in (b) of this section shall be covered by                             
14       the insurer, with the choice of option determined by the covered individual in                                    
15       consultation with a health care provider.                                                                         
16            (e)  For individuals considered at average risk for colorectal cancer, coverage                              
17       or benefits shall be provided for the choice of screening, so long as it is conducted in                          
18       accordance with the specified frequency. For individuals considered at high risk for                              
19       colorectal cancer, screening shall be provided at a frequency determined necessary by                             
20       a health care provider.                                                                                           
21            (f)  Each health benefit plan shall notify each covered individual annually of                               
22       the coverage for colorectal cancer screenings and provide the American Cancer                                     
23       Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screenings. The notice shall be included in the                          
24       health benefit handbook or be provided by written or electronic communication                                     
25       between a health plan administrator and a covered individual.                                                     
26            (g)  In this section, "individual considered at high risk for colorectal cancer"                             
27       means an individual who faces a high risk for colorectal cancer because of                                        
28                 (1)  family history;                                                                                    
29                 (2)  prior experience of cancer or precursor neoplastic polyps;                                         
30                 (3)  a history of chronic digestive disease condition, including                                        
31       inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's Disease, or ulcerative colitis;                                               

01                 (4)  the presence of any appropriate recognized gene markers for                                        
02       colorectal cancer; or                                                                                             
03                 (5)  other predisposing factors.                                                                        
04    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2007.